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
*Offering in-person and online therapy* I am passionate about helping you identify and build upon your strengths and use those strengths to find and remove obstacles to your happiness. When you see me, you will leave feeling empowered, with tools and strategies to help you tackle the challenges in your life. I will give you concrete strategies to improve communication with your partner and fami...
Willows Edge prides itself on not being your “traditional” therapy center. We provide comprehensive services that encompass the mind, body, and spirit in a nonclinical, non judgemental environment. We offer all of our clients unconditional positive regard with a belief that ALL people deserve quality care. Our clients will leave with a new sense of purpose and well-being. Counseling is offered ...
Vanessa LaBode-Richman
New York
New York
Vanessa LaBode-Richman
New York
New York
Dr. LaBode-Richman is dually trained and specialized in psychotherapy treatment and neuropsychological assessment. She enjoys working with clients across the lifespan and is able to offer state-of-the-art services in both English and Spanish. As a psychologist, Dr. LaBode-Richman aims to create a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment for her clients so that they may better understand...
Each one of us face moments in life when we could use help in finding our way. Perhaps life's problems have left you feeling helpless and you are not sure how to regain control over your situation. Maybe fear and anxiety have begun to limit the joy and happiness you are able to feel. It might be that you're athletic or work performance has plateaued and you are looking for a mental edge to...
The Becoming: Counseling and Wellness, PLLC
Nashville
Tennessee
The Becoming: Counseling and Wellness, PLLC
Nashville
Tennessee
The Becoming: Counseling and Wellness, PLLC is a community of practitioners dedicated to helping our clients live fully as their true selves. With offices in West Nashville, TN and the Green Hills area, we offer outpatient mental health therapy, health coaching, telehealth, and clinical assessment services to individuals, couples, families, and groups. Our licensed clinicians have specializatio...
Tamela Malone
Austin
Texas
Tamela Malone
Austin
Texas
Welcome! I am currently accepting new clients and offer Telehealth appointments. I am a believer in living one's life deliberately; however, the day to day commitments, expectations, and challenges sometimes divert us from living the life we want for ourselves and loved ones. Having a fierce advocate to remind you of your strengths, help you navigate challenges, and support you on your journey ...
Svjetlana Lana Shield
Tampa
Florida
Svjetlana Lana Shield
Tampa
Florida
A warmest hello to you. I am a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, and a doctoral candidate. I hold a Master of Science degree in General Psychology, and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy. Currently, I am nearly at the end toward earning my doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. I am a trained EMDR therapist as well. I have ov...
This practice is designed to work with my clients not on them. We are engaged in enhancing abilities and strengths through the art of Theracoaching, an integrative approach where both the client and the practitioner are focused on their goals. You as the client work with the Theracoach to identify these goals and join them either in or out of the office to locate methods in achieving these...
My work is shaped by the knowledge that we all have the capacity to grow and learn through our life experiences. I believe that sometimes our most difficult experiences can bring us our greatest life lessons. I work collaboratively with children, adolescents, and adults to build on strengths, develop new strategies, and work to remove obstacles holding them back from reaching their fullest...
Since 1984, relationships have been the focus of my practice. I'm so glad you're looking for support to enhance and deepen the trust and intimacy of yours. We've learned a lot about what it takes to help couples create and sustain healthy relationships today. The stresses of life make ruptures and upsets inevitable. It is a choice and a skill to repair at these times and strengthen your bond. I...
Washington Psychological Wellness is passionate about helping people live the lives they have envisioned by bringing values of honesty, kindness, humor and compassion to the practice. Therapy can inspire change, create greater self-awareness and improve one's life and relationships. Our clinicians provide a comfortable and collaborative environment in which you can take risks and explore differ...
Todd Hawkins
Wichita
Kansas
Todd Hawkins
Wichita
Kansas
Desperate, don’t know where to go. Thinking about suicide or harming yourself? Maybe it seems like no one will actually hear what you have to say about your pain. Maybe you’re tired of being judged? Todd Hawkins can provide you with a safe place to talk about your wounds, your emptiness, your struggles, your fears, all without judgment. For Todd, understanding where you’re coming from is the mo...
Evening and Weekends available. Modern, professional, and effective, Summit Counseling is a group of experienced licensed counselors seeking to redefine the therapy experience by offering an effective service and a professional experience. More than just talk, our therapists are trained in the most recent evidence-based approaches. We are prepared to help children, parents, individuals, and...
Veronica Perez-Thayer
Sacramento
California
Veronica Perez-Thayer
Sacramento
California
Do you find yourself feeling frustrated, stressed out, or lonely in a relationship that once used to feel passionate, comforting, and fulfilling? Has your relationship slipped into a pattern of distance, distrust, resentment, and unappreciation, leaving you wondering where you or your partner went wrong? Perhaps your cultural differences, expectations of family members, or pressure of other...