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
Joanna believes in the words of Eckhart Tolle, "If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place." We all have stories and backgrounds that shape us and our perspectives on the world. We also have innate abilities within us to overcome obstacles to experience transformation, self-actualization and growth. What an honor it is for Joanna to walk alongside her clients as they nurture ...
I have a background in mental health, primarily with adults and geriatrics who also have chronic medical conditions. In the past, I worked with various home health agencies for over 20 years , providing in home services for clients, locating resources to assist in improving levels of functioning, and providing counseling to patients and family members,, including services grief, loss and...
PLEASE READ: I am currently only accepting private pay clients through www.thedesertsong.com. I work with young adults, families, and couples helping them to shed light on themselves and the systems of which they are a part. I have worked predominately with clients experiencing symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, bipolar, addictive disorders, and personality disorders. I have a background in...
Hi there! I'm Kristen, and my interest is people. I love getting to know about other's passions, feelings, attitudes, and ideas. And that's exactly what brought me to therapy! I get excited when others are looking to explore their own lives for ways to improve, no matter how small. I work well with clients who ruminate and tend to get caught in the vicious cycles of depression and anxiety by...
I believe the hardest part to entering therapy is the first phone call. With many years of experience working in a variety of settings, nothing gives me greater pleasure than assisting individuals in improving their own quality of life and satisfaction. I enjoy working with individuals across the life span to include children ages five and older, adolescents, adults and couples. My areas of...
Have you reached a place in your life where you are ready to explore your behaviors, relationship patterns, beliefs, and even your innermost desires? Do you feel like you are ready to take control of what may be blocking you from moving forward - at work, home, in relationships? The clients that come to see me have determined that they are ready for change and that they want to improve their...
Hayley Dodd is a Licensed Professional Counselor with extensive experience working with children, families, and adults in both private and non-profit sectors of the mental health field. She specializes in working with clients coping with trauma, issues of loss and change, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. She brings a background of expertise in using experiential somatic therapies and simpl...
I believe that throughout life’s most interesting journeys, whether painful, full of change, optimistic, or oppositional, it is often easier to have someone to walk with. I work with individuals and couples who are experiencing anxiety, trauma, depression, major life adjustments, and grief, family and relationship issues. Some of the populations I have worked with include: Young adults,...
*Not accepting any new clients at this time* I offer an Afrocentric view of psychotherapy coupled with honesty, humor and compassion. I believe in the potential to coexist with the events of past, while fueling towards the future. Bruised Not Broken Therapy was born from the lack of Afrocentric based psychotherapy that allowed people of color to embrace their journey of life through the context...
*Offer Telehealth video sessions! I am trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and work with individuals, couples, and families who are dealing with anxiety, grief, depression, relational and marital stress, blended families, family conflict, and other issues. I also offer both Brainspotting and EMDR. My areas of clinical focus are individual and relational trauma. I have received speciali...
I have a passion for supporting individuals, couples, and families on their path to discovering and working toward their goals. I enjoy working with clients coping with stress and chronic illness, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship issues. I have experience working with transgender teens and young adults and their family members. Before becoming a therapist, I worked as a...
I believe in creating a safe and supportive environment in order for individuals to feel comfortable expressing themselves. In the therapy relationship, we will achieve greater awareness of your strengths, goals, and relational patterns and develop strategies that enhance your resiliency and well-being. I work collaboratively with clients, always respecting autonomy and choice. I believe that...
I enjoy sitting with and listening to military/veteran, couples, divorcees, men and adolescent boys. I have a particular passion for those walking through struggles in their faith. If this sounds like you and your struggles, please feel free to reach out. I would love to connect with you. For 20 years, I served as an airman and journeyed alongside our military and their families to help unravel...
I love what I do, and I deeply believe in the power of this work. I’ve seen it alter the lives of many, including my own life. My job is not to change people, but to offer people a space where change can take place. Together we will walk through the messiness and hardships of life to foster hope, insight, and lasting changes that heal. I am a Level-2 Restoration Therapist with specialized train...
Calvin Coolidge said, “All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.” And he’s right. Growth, change, and improvement depend on work and effort. The good news is that you don’t have to go it alone. I believe that working with individuals to help them reach their highest potential is incredibly rewarding. To do this,...
