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
No matter where you are in your journey, there is room to grow, evolve, and enhance your life. When you feel stuck, are not in touch with your purpose or living with authenticity, life can feel isolating and challenging. I work with motivated individuals coping with concerns, including anxiety, life transitions, and relational and women’s issues. My clients are looking to connect with their...
If you’ve been hesitant to see a therapist because you feel like what you’re going through is too stressful, shameful, or just too much, please call me. I specialize in working with depression, anxiety, grief, life transitions, and complicated family relationships. Do you struggles with maladaptive coping behaviors including cutting, porn addiction and unhealthy sexual behaviors, let me help yo...
Hi, my name is Megan. I believe that with the right therapeutic fit, much healing is possible. Whether the problem is conflicting emotions and thoughts, feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, or nagging feelings of self-doubt despite finding a great job or relationship, there is a solution. I am here to help you get there. When we gather up the courage to work through our past by being...
Are you tired of the cycle? Stuck in the same conversation with yourself or others wishing it was different? Still waiting for your mind & body to get on the same page? Is your body stuck in FEAR? When we carry negative beliefs about ourselves, many times in our healing process what we think and what we feel just don’t match. Somewhere along the line, events occurred that created a negative bel...
Cameron Wade (she/her) is a Registered Drama Therapist from Durham, NC and holds a Master’s degree from NYU’s graduate program in Drama Therapy. She has served as a Drama Therapist & Creative/Expressive Arts Therapist in outpatient clinics, schools, acute and long-term inpatient settings with children, adolescent, & adult patients living with psychosis, substance use disorders, bipolar disorder...
Clients can use therapy to reach meaningful goals when life circumstances have them feeling stuck. It can provide long-lasting benefits such as increased self-awareness and skills that can improve daily functioning and enhance relationships. I am heavily influenced by humanistic, cognitive-behavioral models of treatment, and attachment theory. I believe that all my clients have innate strengths...
Hello! I'm John (they/them), and I look forward to meeting you. I believe that every human being is able to live a life of joy and connection. We all encounter obstacles to this along the way— in our families and relationships, in our physical health, and in our lived experiences with the larger social and ecological systems around us. The heart of my work is in supporting each person to explor...
As a proponent for positive psychology, Lynell incorporates a strong positive approach to her counseling. Lynell has worked with children in both a school environment and on an individual basis within the family unit. While working at Catholic Charities, Lynell has focused on strengthening the family through her work with Maggie’s Place and couples counseling. As a member of the LDS community, ...
Attending California Institute of Integral Studies shaped my holistic approach to therapy: body, heart, mind and spirit. I use a systems approach when working with clients to see and understand how all areas of one’s life might be impacting them today. I have worked with hundreds of men and women over the last 20 years as a successful corporate leader in Human Resources and Organizational...
Jay Van Hoff approaches counseling from a systemic and attachment perspective. She is trained in emotionally focused therapy and will be completing EMDR training near the end of August. She helps individuals, adolescents, and couples build and strengthen their relationships with each other by providing a safe space and supportive environment for people to connect. Jay supports clients dealing w...
Have you thought about counseling but wondered how it would fit into your busy schedule? Do you and your partner struggle with communication? Is your relationship lacking intimacy? Are you and your partner struggling to see eye to eye? I assist couples who are struggling with relationships, traumatic experiences, personal issues, divorce and separation, and healing from affairs, trauma, and abu...
My goal as a therapist is to help you to reach your fullest potential. Whether you are experiencing a condition such as anxiety or depression, coping with past trauma, wanting to feel more fulfilled in your relationships or needing support in managing life stress, I will meet you where you are at to create a plan to start working towards your goals, and collaborate with you to build a trusting,...
Currently accepting new clients. I aim to provide a safe, healing, therapeutic space for all clients. I believe in self-care and developing skills or strategies to help individuals tackle any stressor they may be facing. I have experience working with children and adolescents as well as adults. My time as a clinician has allowed me to develop a passion for providing trauma informed services to...
Empowered Wellness Counseling Services is a practice focused on the client's needs for symptom reduction by creating a safe space conducive to building trust and begin to process through symptoms caused by depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health issues. Empowered Wellness Counseling Services also provides counseling for clients searching for support in perinatal mental health...
I specialize in working with people who are experiencing life transitions, such as marriage, divorce, parenting, career, loss of a loved one, aging, and existential anxiety. Transitions can be stressful because it means you need to make changes in how you are living your life. I work with people who are at a crossroads of important decisions or who are having difficulties navigating and adjusti...
