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
Life is guaranteed to produce problems for you to face and solve. Whatever they may be, you do not have to face them alone. We all need someone else to listen, understand, and guide us when we want to cope better with problems, increase our quality of life, or make important decisions. The rarest commodity of all nowadays is individual attention for any length of time - that is exactly what I...
My ideal client is someone who may be struggling with motivation, feeling "stuck", going through some life stressors that can be overwhelming. Their needs can range from needing to talk out a plan of action to get to school, facing some of their fears and stressors and the desire to want to make a change. Change can be scary and uncertain which I come into the picture as your therapist, confida...
I provide individual and couples psychotherapy to a variety of clients. I am particularly interested in working with people going through life transitions including divorce, break-ups, job loss, career exploration and grief. Through deep listening and curiosity, I create a safe space to openly examine and gain insight into their challenges, helping them to relieve stress and achieve a sense of...
I became a therapist with the goal of helping my clients self actualize in order to lead healthier, serene and joy filled lives. My goal is not to keep you in therapy forever but instead give you the tools you need to be able to feel at peace and in love with your best life. I believe the relationship we have with ourselves and the filter we view the world through are key components that determ...
Hi I am Lili. Getting started with a counselor can be intimidating. Please don't hesitate to call me for a free initial conversation and I can help find appropriate resources and help. I really enjoy working with a variety of people; appreciate challenges and am comfortable with facing difficult situations with my clients. I enjoy humor, depth and a straight forward approach to counseling. I ha...
I am an adoption, attachment, and trauma-competent therapist with FamilyWorks Together, a program of Adoptions Together. Children, teens and families face unique emotional and behavioral challenges that stem from adoption and trauma experiences. We serve all children, all parents, and all families with any issue that can occur within the context of a family. We used evidence-based assessments a...
I aim to help clients learn new skills to live their best lives through individualized counseling approaches. I have experiences working with couples and individuals facing sex-related issues, and am passionate about assisting others with intimacy and gender concerns. I am experienced about helping those who have experienced trauma overcome those experiences in order to thrive. I work with...
I believe there is a resiliency that lies within each and every one of us. That strength is what gets us through each situation – even when we thought, “There’s no way I am going to make it through.” However, there are times when things can become overwhelming, and we need someone to listen, and encourage us as we navigate through the difficult situations life throws at us. No matter what bring...
Megan Aliffi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has been practicing evidence-based individual, family and group therapy as well as diagnostic assessment with children and adults since 2016. Ms. Aliffi provides a unique focus on strength-based interventions to make therapy enjoyable as well as highly effective. Specific interventions include: CBT, DBT, TF-CBT, ERP, Trauma-Informed Care,...
ONLINE THERAPY AVAILABLE. I provide a safe therapeutic space for my clients. My approach is to tailor the session to meet the challenges that you bring in. In our sessions, we'll utilize your existing strengths and build on them using CBT and other therapeutic methods. The goal of our time together will be to effectively address your personal life challenges. I work with children, teens, and...
My goal as a counselor is to engage people in the process of making meaningful change. I believe this is achieved by understanding one’s own needs and by developing ways to meet these needs to create balance in life. This is possible when people are able to acknowledge the power of their choices and begin to use their voice as a means to overcome their unique challenges. I have worked with thos...
FOR COUPLES: are you having the same arguments again and again? Do you feel pain and hurt where there used to be love and caring? Are you close to giving up, and it feels like nothing will ever change? When human beings encounter stressors, they can get stuck. Lives can unravel. My passion is to bring healing to those who are distressed. I work with couples, individuals, and families. I can hel...
I work with individuals, couples and families to provide support through relationship enrichment and repair, pre-marital/commitment therapy, couples counseling, divorce discernment/collaboration, sexual issues, trauma, self-worth, grief, addiction, abuse & illness. My work helps individuals and couples at any stage of life explore their strengths and vulnerabilities and create a plan for succes...
I enjoy working with clients who are self-motivated to create a change in their lives. As a clinical social worker, I will not change you, but guide you down the path to change yourself. I have great experience in working with a variety of clients who are newly diagnosed and experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma. A new mental health diagnosis and/or symptoms can be scary! I a...
We all face grief, loss, betrayals, and transitions either through difficulties such as death, divorce, infertility, or other disappointments. For some, these experiences can create spiritual woundedness, depression, anxiety, or a dip in self-esteem, especially if there is a lack of family or community support. Working through these things can be hard but for the client who is willing to tackle...
