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
Many of us are looking outside ourselves for love, fulfillment and joy only to find ourselves deeply dissatisfied, lonely and separated from connection and intimacy with others and ourselves. Life can be difficult and is filled with challenges and traumatic experiences that require our attention and care in order to heal. We are skilled at silencing the aching inside via escape hatches: excessi...
Congratulations on taking the first step toward wellness! My approach to therapy is to create a supportive, empathetic and collaborative relationship that will meet your counseling goals. I believe in tailoring a treatment plan that fits the needs of each client. This is accomplished by creating short and long term goals and incorporating several therapeutic modalities such as CBT, Solution...
You are important. It is my strong belief that you deserve a life of purpose, emotional peace, deeply fulfilling relationships, true personal empowerment and joy. In a warm, supportive and nonjudgmental setting, we'll build on your innate wisdom to address issues that limit your ability to lead the life you want and deserve. Specialties include: anxious worry and depression; relationship...
I have experience working with clients from age 19-99. I work with the client as they move towards achieving the best quality of life possible. Each decade of life brings different challenges and rewards. I love working with people as they uncover their strengths and work towards their goals. I draw from a broad range of treatment approaches. Each person moves towards their goals in their own...
I can help you build healthy relationships, heal trauma, cope with life stress and worry, healthy parenting, identity exploration and coming out, and gender transition. I value direct communication, as well as humor, to build trust in the therapy relationship. I look forward to talking to you to see if we might be a good fit!...
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I am a Licensed Psychologist at Summit Psychological Services. I often work with those who feel lost and are unable to get in touch with their ideal selves. Many of these clients include children, pre-teens, teenagers, parents, adults, and veterans battling PTSD, ADHD, trauma, depression, and anxiety. I work collaboratively with individuals, couples, and families to achieve their goals. These...
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We can often feel overwhelmed, confused and drained by life challenges and are seeking some direction to lighten the day-to-day load. Children tend come to counseling because they are frequently getting in trouble at home / school. Among the emotional distress, I help individuals get in touch with their strengths and potentials. I have found that people tend to do better when they feel good abo...
I am a Licensed Master of Social Work with a license in both Missouri and Kansas. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas and my master's of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis I have experience working with children and families in the child welfare system, sexual abuse survivors, addiction, domestic violence survivors, LGBTQIA+ youth, couples, and famili...
Something isn't working. Maybe it's your relationship; the joy and connection have waned, or are eclipsed by frequent conflict. Whether from a traumatic event like an affair, or from a series of small disconnections over time, you feel helpless to make it feel different. Or perhaps you struggle finding balance between your work (or school) and your life, or navigating a major life change like...
No one should walk through their healing journey alone and everyone has meaning and purpose in life. I will help you to create the life that you want by providing you with the skills to overcome past hurts and embrace your future to live your best life. My therapeutic approach is client-centered and my communication style is to combine support and compassion with honest feedback to help you...
*** IMMEDIATE OPENINGS AVAILABLE*** Hello and welcome. I am excited to be opening my private practice after years of working for Community Mental Health and in the School System! I'm excited for this new chapter and the flexibility it allows in meeting clients where they are and facilitating the journey to where they want to be. I have worked with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, and o...
If you are struggling with life's ups and downs, if you are feeling stuck, if your struggling with your relationships, if anxiety is an issue, or you are experiencing depression give me a call and we can work together to understand the issue and help you move forward My training is in Marriage and Family Therapy which means we explore the presenting issues through a relational lens as opposed t...
