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
I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in Somatic Psychotherapy. Somatic simply means "relating to the body" and in therapy this means that I have been uniquely trained to integrate the wisdom from our biology into treatment. Our bodies relate information that, should we choose to listen, can support our overall mental health. This way of working can have profound effects ...
I believe that we all struggle from time to time and that none of us, despite appearances, have it all together. I believe in using empathy, respect and integrity to partner with you in your journey towards achieving your wellness goals. Using a strength-based approach we will work collaboratively to identify your strengths and skills that can be utilized to effectively manage daily stressors a...
During the last two decades, I have been privileged to collaborate with clients on seeing how they are able to make positive changes through their own strengths during times of complexity. I provide a wide range of therapeutic services, ranging from anxiety, depression, grief, loss, marital/relational problems, mood disorders, and behavioral modification. We work together and focus on your...
The quest to live authentically is challenging but ultimately transformative. With hard work and supportive professional guidance, clients have the opportunity to examine persistent, troubling patterns without judgment or shame, and in doing so create space for growth and possibility. I work with clients age 6 to end of life -- individuals, partners, and families -- to explore individual and...
Are you feeling overwhelmed, stretched too far, family demands outweigh your personal needs? Or are you the parent of a child(ren) that you just can’t seem to reach? Well, take a deep breath… uuuuuuh!!!! You are in the right place; congratulate yourself on taking the first step in making a change in the life you deserve! As a comprehensive therapist my interest and specialties include working w...
Relationships, no matter what kind make us who we are. We can not know who we are if we don’t know of those around us. Our everyday interactions with those around us, large or small, impact us as a result. There’s nothing more rewarding than sitting with clients, hearing how small changes towards healthy relationships has improved their lives. This includes nurturing the relationship with self-...
We all carry wounds from our past that create hardships with others or ourselves. Gaining an understanding of our past, so that we can live in the present, helps us to heal those wounds and be our true selves. Our bodies carry the traumas of our past, I work to reconnect your mind and body so that you can live your life in current time. I work to give you a supportive environment with compassio...
* VOTED TOP 3 MARRIAGE COUNSELORS * "With Isabell’s help, I experienced profound healing and growth beyond my wildest imagination. In every session, I received absolute presence and compassion—no note taking, no distractions, no judgment, pure being in the Now. I sought out her help when I was going through an awfully painful breakup. What would have taken traditional therapists several years,...
Welcome to my profile! It takes a tremendous amount of courage to seek out a therapist, so I want to first and foremost acknowledge you and your efforts to better your life. Whether you’re feeling stuck, hurt, or just needing a fresh perspective, my hope is that we can partner together and work to create the life God has for you and that you envision for yourself. It would be my honor to be you...
I understand the anxiety and awkwardness that comes with reaching out for help. My goal as a therapist is to make the process as comfortable and easy as possible. We can work together to create a safe space so that you may be free to be yourself. Life is hard! And sometimes it can seem to be too much to handle. My philosophy is to provide a safe and caring space so that you might transform...
We all experience hardship, and I believe we also all have the ability to heal and grow. I’m a licensed psychologist who provides individual, couples, and family therapy to adults of all identities. I specialize in helping: (a) individuals who feel anxious or emotionally overwhelmed to improve coping and increase comfort with themselves, their feelings, and others; (b) couples/families to impro...
I enjoy working with clients who are committed to improving their lives. Sometimes family issues get in the way, both from the past and currently. Being stuck in traumatic memories or living in difficult circumstances makes life hard. I enjoy seeing families together to help them improve communication and to build closer relationships. Couples who invest therapy time into their relationship,...
Sonia provides counseling to couples, women, and families. Her expertise in family dynamic, boundaries, marital issues and women's issues are the foundation of her work. In life, there are events and relationships that challenge each of us. When those life circumstances become overwhelming, a relationship feels detrimental rather than beneficial or reaching our next goal might be easier with t...
I work with clients who may be experiencing fears, shame, guilt, anger, worry, depression, anxiety, the results of trauma, and those who need a stronger sense of self, value, direction, and hope. My goal is to see you become fully alive as who you are and to enjoy your life to the fullest. I am eclectic in my approach and often use a combination of person-centered, positive, psychological...
Welcome! As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I strive to do my very best to help you achieve your goals in all types of different areas of your life. My focus is client-centered and I am proficient in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). We will start wherever you are and go from there. We will work on tackling your barriers that prevent you from reach...
