Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a short-term approach to counseling most often used for couples, but it also works with families and individuals. EFT emphasizes developing a stronger bond between two or more people. It examines interactions and how each individual contributes to undesirable behaviors that negatively affect their emotional bond.
EFT’s goal is to reduce distress and negative patterns in the relationship so people can grow closer and rebuild trust, love, and intimacy.
There are three distinct stages in Emotionally Focused Therapy:
De-Escalation – The therapist has people slow down their conversations and interactions to examine patterns in this stage. Is one person not expressing their emotions? Is one person avoidant? Is one person quick to anger? Your EFT therapist will hone in on these specific exchanges to help you understand what interaction and communication patterns lead to hurt feelings and disconnection.
Changing Interaction Patterns – This stage involves encouraging each person to communicate their feelings and needs. Your therapist will help you express empathy, even during tense interactions.
Consolidation – In this stage, you practice the skills you learned during counseling. This stage aims to integrate more desirable communication patterns in EFT sessions and real life.
Anyone interested in improving their interactions with loved ones could benefit from EFT.
Therapists Who Specialize in Using Emotionally Focused Therapy
Sometimes, we get stuck. A problem that may seem small at first just seems to get worse and before you know it, you have gotten lost in a dark place and can't figure out how to get out. As a therapist, I want to be that flashlight that can guide you home. It takes courage to reach out for help, and doing so shows you are ready to find your way back- or to a new, better place! I meet my clients...
There is a way out...of the suffering, of the loneliness and agony so hard to express to another person, and of the shame that you "ought" to be able to figure this out on your own. I think we are hard-wired to connect, and that lack of intimate connection is so much more complicated than meets the eye. In some ways, the higher the intelligence, the more difficult it can be to work oneself out ...
A typical client for me is someone who sincerely wants support and assistance in becoming a happier, healthier individual/couple/family. If the desire to make a change is there, I am more than able and willing to assist you in navigating your own path to success. I have been practicing therapy for 14 years and find that it is best to evaluate each clients individual needs before utilizing a...
( English | español ) My focus is to help families and couples who are struggling with difficult life transitions, trauma and depression find renewed hope in life. I find great joy in creating a unique therapeutic experience that is tailored to you, which is why I integrate different approaches into my practice. I meaningfully aim to offer a different perspective that can help you obtain clari...
I've had the opportunity to work with students, artists, and clients in high-stress occupations who pursue ambitious life goals, but feel stuck or overwhelmed. Having been employed in media prior to becoming a psychologist, I am sensitive to the challenges of work-life balance in a big city. In my training with military veterans, I became familiar with the silent crisis of men’s mental health a...
We all experience difficulties and have barriers in our lives that keep us from experiencing the fullness of freedom we desire. Whether you are having difficulties with a relationship, wrestling through identity and family of origin questions, or healing from a trauma or painful loss, I want WELL Counseling to be a safe and peaceful place for you to process and begin your healing. My philosophy...
Christine Turo-Shields brings hope and humor, energy and enthusiasm to her work with children, families, and adults. For over 30 years, she has provided therapy in a variety of settings, including individual, marital, family and group counseling. Her expertise is rich with various clinical passion areas, including treating anxiety/panic disorders, abuse/trauma/PTSD, depression, women’s issues,...
I have many years of counseling with individuals, couples, families and children. Creating a safe, welcoming space where healing, learning, growing can occur is essential for the therapeutic process which takes many forms, and is based on the needs of each person, couple or family. The therapeutic process is a shared journey and in my counseling role I help support and guide the process. My...
Life can be challenging. Are you struggling with feelings of inadequacy? Do you find that your relationships lack connection and meaning? Do you struggle to prioritize your own needs? Therapy can help. My practice is built upon the belief that we all hold inherent worth. Sometimes life experiences cause us to forget our innate wholeness. My goal is to help you connect with your authentic self a...
Hi, I am Julee Peterson. I'm a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and currently taking new clients. I am interested in helping repair marriages, strengthen families and helping blended families blend. I'm part of blended family and have walked the difficult starting path and have insight into the nuances of blended family life. What I love most about my work is positively affecting people’s...
I specialize in working with people who are struggling to make sense of some of the most difficult concerns in life, including grief & loss, existential depression, feelings of emptiness, and suffering to achieve their vision for a meaningful life of creativity and purpose, authenticity, self-actualization, acceptance, and transcendence. I also specialize in working with young adults and adults...
Anyone who feels stuck, out of control, confused or affected by a life altering change is the client for me. There are many needs out there, and I'm ready to walk along side them, at the client's pace, and figure out what those goals are. Some potential goals are; developing new coping skills, identifying emotions, decreasing stress, decreasing depressive thoughts, and gaining self-esteem. As l...
Have you recently found yourself saying, “I can’t do this anymore”? If so, then you’re not alone. I believe each person has an innate ability to heal, but you don’t have to do it by yourself. Sometimes it’s current upsetting events, other times it’s the past. Often, it’s a combination of both that impact our mind, body/health, and relationships. I offer a safe and non-judgemental space for...
Are you ready to let go who you think you're supposed to be? Are you ready to embrace who you really are? Sometimes life gets hard. We don't have to do it alone; we were never intended to. Perhaps it is struggles with Anxiety, Depression, grief/loss, stress management, unresolved trauma, life adjustment issues, or low self-esteem. Or maybe you aren't quite sure what is wrong but you know someth...
Hello, my name is Amy and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing therapeutic services to individuals and families. I own Tiny Planet Counseling in the Eagle's Landing area and very much enjoy working with clients on improving their lives. I am a great match with the following concerns and/or populations: Anxiety, Depression, Female Teens, LGBT, Obesity, Older Adults, PTSD, Self-esteem...
