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
LaSheena is a Psychologist who welcomes the opportunity to assist individuals, couples, and families in overcoming life's various hurdles. She has experience with providing therapy for people from all walks of life, ages 4 and up. She has extensive experience with treating depression and behavioral concerns in children and adolescents, as well as concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationsh...
It has been a privilege and continues to be a privilege to provide therapy to such diverse, curious, and brave individuals who seek out treatment for growth, recovery, healing, greater self-awareness, the desire for deeper relationships and intimacy, and change. Bearing witness to the pain, resiliency, and bravery of my patients is humbling, challenging, and highly rewarding work. I look forwar...
I have many years of experience working with at-risk children and families. I am a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) that provides play therapy counseling for children with attachment-related symptoms, highly challenging behaviors, and other issues. I specialize in working with children who have learning disabilities, developmental delays, behavioral and emotional problems, including school...
Relationships can be challenging! I am passionate about helping couples resolve conflict through a solution based lens, helping improve communication, and develop healthy patterns. I help facilitate change through emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Whether you want to have better communication with your partner, work through trauma or life changes, or jus...
The word "metamorphosis" refers to the process of transformation, a transformation of both mind and spirit that can lead to positive and often dramatic changes in one’s life. Here at metamorphis-therapy, it is my belief that the relationship that develops between client and therapist is the foundation on which all else is built. My genuine empathy and compassion, combined with my intuitive and...
For many people, faith is an integral part of their sense of wholeness. For clients who feel that way, I integrate faith into the experience of psychotherapy. Frequent issues that clients bring into counseling include relationships, depression, anxiety, life transitions, illness, and grief. But regardless the struggle, the integration of scientifically evidence-based practices alongside faith...
I am passionate about personal growth & connecting deeply with my clients. I have a virtual practice and see clients face to face via ZOOM a HIPAA compliant platform. I love that virtual therapy gives both myself & my clients the opportunity to stay connected even while living active & busy lives. Support is a necessity in life & I have found that working virtually has been the best option for ...
The people who come to me are curious to get to know themselves in a deeper away. I work with people to help them heal from trauma, interrupt unhelpful patterns, set healthier boundaries in relationships, dismantle crippling perfectionism, bolster their sense of self, increase self-esteem, mindfully manage anxiety, and live a more authentic existence. Together, we can work toward both short-ter...
Finding the right therapist for you is so important; please feel free to give me a call so we can see if we’d be a good fit! I provide trauma-informed individual and couples therapy to adolescents and adults of all genders, and specialize in working with survivors of sexual and domestic violence. In order to begin the difficult work of exploring your emotions and understanding yourself, you nee...
I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor native to Northern Virginia and for 21 years I’ve had the honor and privilege of the opportunity to use my training, skills and experience to try to make a positive difference in the lives of many people, from young children to adults and from many different walks of life. By meeting people where they are, and not where they are expected to be, I empower my...
The philosopher Plato once wrote that "the unexamined life is not worth living." As a therapist, I am committed to helping my clients examine their lives to find meaning, happiness, and strength. I work with individuals, couples, and families, striving to build skills to resolve conflicts, increase confidence, and move beyond past hurt and trauma. My clients often say that they appreciate my...
My name is Shideh Sarmadi, I am a licensed professional counselor in State of Virginia. My goal is to empower clients to change their lives in a positive manner by focusing on recovery and welfare and promoting healthy personal growth. This typically is accomplished by improving the way you cope and interact with your environment. I have worked with a variety of issues including marital and fam...
Are you looking for help to create a different life for yourself? Are past traumas and childhood messages keeping you from the life you desire? Can you envision your perfect life but struggle to make it happen? I work with clients to examine all areas of life in order to create their vision, free from negative past programming. My goal is to help you identify new ways to resolve issues and take...
I have a private practice in San Francisco, CA. I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families utilizing an integrated approach to psychotherapy. I have experience in Integrated Family Systems IFS); Relational Life Therapy (RLT); Family System Models; Interpersonal Neurobiology: Attachment-Based Family Therapy; Substance Use and Stages of Change; and treat a wide range of clini...
We are at a time where compassion towards self is more important than ever. Life is overwhelming and complicated. Maybe you "have it all" but feel like something is missing or you are having issues communicating your needs. Many struggle with the idea of having symptoms of depression and anxiety internalizing the symptoms with being "crazy". I am here to remove the labels and have individuals b...
