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
Bilingual individual, couples and family/marriage counseling services provided in a systemic solution focused approach. Experiencing difficulties and overcoming challenges sometimes becomes overwhelming-and at times a helping hand is instrumental to serve as a guide or support during troubling times. As a bilingual therapist, I offer counseling services to Spanish, English and bilingual speaker...
Kim is committed to providing compassionate and empathetic care in order to facilitate her clients’ growth and healing. She values each client’s unique cultural, spiritual, personal, and interpersonal experiences. She embraces a holistic approach, taking the client’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health into consideration in order to empower them as they work to obtain the level of...
The process of seeking therapy and exploring experiences with another person is a brave step toward the life you want for yourself, and finding a therapist you are comfortable with is crucial for healing. My educational focus and clinical experience has focused mainly on trauma work. That experience includes EMDR training, Trauma Resiliency Model and Somatic Experiencing training. I work from a...
Deeply committed to personal growth myself, I know how hard it can be sometimes, how trapped we can feel when we find ourselves repeating painful patterns, unable to learn and grow from our life experiences or make the changes we need... That’s why I will provide you with a safe and supportive environment, a compassionate atmosphere free of judgment and shame as we explore and sort through what...
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in counseling children, adolescents, and dual diagnosis adults. I have experience providing individual and group counseling in educational, outpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospital programs. I use a client centered and strengths based approach to connect with each person I work with as I know everyone has their own unique...
All of us can improve our mental health and fitness. If you have the courage to examine your own life and make the critical changes that you need, then we can get to work. In this often painful world there is no need to suffer. I work with anyone who is open to the possibility of positive change and motivated to make it happen.. I specialize in Grief Counseling, Trauma, Couples Counseling, and...
*** I AM CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS; HOWEVER, I AM AVAILABLE FOR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, WORKSHOPS, AND CONSULTING RELATED TO INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE*** Welcome! I’m so glad you’ve taken the first step to explore counseling services to enhance the quality of your life and your relationships. I work primarily with couples and adult individuals, and I also see families with older childre...
I approach therapy with warmth & authenticity & know that it that can be a powerful force for change and healing. One of my goals is to craft an inviting environment that feels safe and non-judgmental. Collaboratively, we will identify your goals and work towards positive change. I have been working in the MH field since 2008 & have had the privilege of working with multicultural patients copin...
Are you burned out? Feeling stressed, stuck, worried, exhausted, or angry? Are you repeating the same old relationships, patterns, or situations, and wishing you could break the endless cycle? Maybe little things feel more frustrating or overwhelming than usual. Sometimes, we aren't sure what causes our distress, but we can sense we're not reaching our potential for health, happiness, or succes...
I am a trained trauma therapist specializing in children, adolescents, adults and families with trauma. My counseling expertise includes those who have behavioral, emotional and/or life functioning issues related to a difficult life events and or mental illness. I enjoy supporting my clients as they reach the best version of themselves, so that they can live life to the fullest. I also have...
Welcome are those whose sense of safety and joy of living are hijacked by trauma. If you find yourself struggling and exhausted, hiding your pain and feeling alone, WITH ME YOU WILL FIND HELP. For the last ten years I’ve helped people to regain life balance, self-compassion and reclaim their lives from the grips of trauma. An Air Force veteran and trauma clinician, I’m keenly attuned to the uni...
I was raised in a military family in the small town of El Paso, Texas. I received my Bachelor's degree from the University of Texas, El Paso in Criminal Justice before moving to California and earning my Master's degree in Social Work from California State University, Sacramento. I was exposed to many cultures and people from all socio-economic backgrounds. I learned, and continue to learn,...
I often work with people who are feeling stuck, unmotivated, overwhelmed, or lost. I am passionate about helping my clients improve their relationships, self-understanding, and self-worth, as well as those looking to make behavior changes related to health and wellness. My goal is to help you gain insight, direction, and more fulfilling relationships in the context of a supportive and attuned...
I offer a broad range of psychological services to adults and adolescents of all ages. I have been a practicing, Licensed Clinical Psychologist since 1997. My approach to therapy and counseling is integrative, meaning I provide a blend of cutting edge, evidence-based therapies and interventions which are matched to the specific problems and the needs of the client. My approach is affirming and...
I have been working with children, youth, adults , and couples providing individual and family therapy for over 16 years in the states of California, Colorado and now in North Carolina. I have extensive experience in working with high risk clients with issues such as ADHD, PTSD, anxiety, depression, abuse, mood disorder, grief and loss, anger management and the need for social skill building. I...
