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
Sana means heal and we strive to create a nurturing environment for you to explore your healing. Sana Wellness Center is dedicated to providing holistic and effective mental health services to anyone who seeks to collaboratively address and heal adverse life experiences and current concerns in a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment. Through unconditional acceptance, we will walk with you...
I offer spiritual and life coaching for anyone who desires to connect with their inner self, Higher Self, or gain broader spiritual insight and clarity on life's issues. Experience the fun and freedom that comes with living in greater oneness with all of life. If you are looking for clarity, insight, guidance, freedom from your own limitations, paths forward, and a sense of deep, trusting...
We’re in this together! As a clinical social worker with over ten years experience working with trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, creating positive thinking and communication patterns, and developing new skills, I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to be a part of your journey! I want to help you access your inner strength with an approach that is tailored to specifically to you....
I have extensive experience providing treatment and counseling services to special needs children, teens, and adults (Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, developmentally delayed), parent training, behavioral therapy, and intensive autism treatment. I also have experience working with individuals, couples, families. My treatment method involves building a trusting relationship, being goal-oriented, ...
My view on therapy is very simple, though not always easy: 'through relationships, we heal’. Many of the barriers that inhibit healthy relationships include negative self-talk, fear of judgement, and our need to maintain a sense of control, especially when we are deeply hurt or wounded. Trauma does not discriminate and it does not wait for an opportune time to present, but we can make sense of ...
I specialize in working with distressed couples who long for emotional connection, closeness and reciprocity in their relationships. If you and your partner feel caught up in a cycle of conflict or distress, I can help to reorganize your relationship in a way that promotes healing, strengthens emotional bonds, increases intimacy, relational security, and mutual support. My goal is to assist...
It is easy to feel hopeless in the middle of a new fight. It reminds you of a hundred fights that you and your partner have engaged in. Don't despair. There is hope. I see couples who feel stuck due to fighting or disconnection. Within a few sessions, most of my couples feel closer and fight less. Communication issues or infidelity are the two top areas that I work with. My clients have told me...
I see clients with a vast array of life experiences and situations. Do you wish to gain insight into yourself, the meaning behind your difficulties? Do you have a desire to discover a closer connection with your emotions, unlocking an ability to feel better, and more fluid with your feelings as they emerge? Perhaps you live with physical pain, tension, or chronic stress that plagues your body. ...
Life can be really hard at times. Sometimes, we don't always know what's next. Maybe we can't figure out how to manage a situation or how to cope with overwhelming emotions. Sometimes we find ourselves in repetitive patterns we just can't understand. Maybe these patterns manifest in unfulfilling or painful relationships, inability to make meaningful connections, procrastination, or unhealthy...
There is a lot of pressure in today’s world to feel good, to handle our troubles on our own. We are led to believe that the signs of health and success is the absence of struggle, that we are weak if we reach out for help. And yet we all struggle to some degree. If struggle is a part of life, then I believe we must also contain the potential to struggle well. To struggle takes strength and...
Life is full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and forks in the road. Sometimes we feel stuck or like we're not on the right path. Sometimes we're overwhelmed or struggling to reach our goals. Sometimes painful feelings from the past just won't leave us alone. During these times, therapy can help. Therapy provides a protected space for you to explore the changes you want to see in yourself an...
Reaching out for help when life becomes unbalanced can be quite intimidating. Yet, it is a great first step. I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist and have experience helping people become intentional in their lives and regain perspective so they may find their inner peace and happiness. My goal with my clients is to make a genuine connection by creating a safe and nonjudgmental place where...
( English | español ) Life can be stressful, overwhelming and even confusing. Sometimes we need to talk to someone who is understanding of our fears, concerns, and problems but also can shine a light to our inner strengths to overcome these obstacles. That is why I created, Shining Lights Counseling LLC to provide a supportive, safe environment which will empower you to explore and challenge th...
I believe your desire to change must be greater than your desire to stay the same. My specialty is working with adult women recovering from life challenges. My goal is to meet adult women where they are by using my clinical expertise with compassion, understanding, and empowerment to help clients grow from their struggles, increase their faith, heal from their pain, and receive hope, healing, a...
I AM ON MATERNITY LEAVE AND NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS AT THIS TIME. I work with parents and children, individual adults, and families. Clients see me to alleviate anxiety and manage stress, support their child's behavior and growth, and address issues in the parent/child relationship. Parenting a young child can bring great delight and satisfaction, and also present isolation, bewilderment and...
