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
I offer individual, couple and family counseling. My approach is strengths-based, collaborative, and outcome-informed. You are the expert on your own life. Whether your goal is to resolve relationship conflict, recover from trauma or loss, receive parenting support, explore issues of identity and spirituality, optimize your career, or learn how to decrease anxiety or depression, my goal is to w...
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I have a long history of working with individuals who have experienced trauma. I have found that unresolved trauma creates anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. My philosophy is that the act of sharing life experiences with another is a healing process and can often create profound changes in mood management and the resolution of anxiety. I offer trauma-informed counseling service...
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The Authentic Men’s Group (AMG) — a non profit organization devoted to making men’s mental health and personal growth a priority. AMG is passionate about creating a guilt free environment for all men. Through group coaching and by promoting 100% authenticity and self acceptance men get to know and experience that they are not alone, a good man and enough. Each coach and group is devoted to...
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I am so glad you are here. It can be challenging to find a safe, therapeutic home especially for those identifying as queer, transgender, and non-binary. You deserve a therapist who is accepting and compassionate. My goal for you is to leave our first meeting feeling heard and supported. I am committed to creating and maintaining a safe and nonjudgmental space for people to explore their life...
I come from a Christian perspective and the interventions I use are congruent with my beliefs and values. The primary interventions I use are from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and other proven family therapy models. I do not impose my personal beliefs and values onto my clients. This process is about you, not me. If...
Welcome to my humble abode! I'm Terri, Metro Atlanta's favorite Child Whisperer! I help break generational curses and help to empower Black women and our youth. If you've stumbled across my page, it means that you may be looking for a therapist for yourself, your child, or a loved one. I work with children as young as 4 and teens as old as 19 who struggle with life adversities or are in a phase...
Do you feel paralyzed when facing a major life transition --- deciding a career path, stepping into adulthood, becoming a couple or separating, becoming a parent or not? Perhaps your relationship is frozen and you and your partner can't talk without fighting or can't agree on a shared vision for your lives. These stuck places are so lonesome, even if you are stuck as a couple. I believe that go...
