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
Tending to your inner experience can be one of the most insightful and rewarding investments made towards your overall health and wellbeing. Many of us have not inherited effective self-care practices or witnessed living examples of what healthy communication and relationship building look like. We're usually left relying on accumulated unconscious patterning and stressful belief systems to...
Our ideal client appreciates investing in the counseling process and knows its benefits. They value ongoing learning and personal growth. They understand a relationship with self, God and others is foundational to functioning well and handling the challenges of life. Our ideal client agrees to invest their trust in us (because we are trustworthy) and will dive deep to grow and be transformed in...
*NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS* So you’ve achieved plenty, but you don’t feel contentment in your daily life. You're stuck. You might feel overwhelmed with self-critical thoughts, wondering if you deserve your success or if you’re good enough. Maybe you feel numb, sense that something is missing, or struggle to relax and enjoy what you have. Maybe you feel disconnected, anxious or frustra...
Listening to you in a safe, supportive space, I can help you through a crisis and find solutions together, whether it’s you, a partner or a child who needs help. I can assist with grief, trauma, relationships, anxiety, depression, addictions, IEP planning, ADHD, learning or behavior problems, among others. You may be feeling hopeless or overwhelmed. I know seeking therapy may not be easy. Takin...
My intention in working with you is to hold a safe and inviting space while we identify and progress toward your goals together. I enjoy working with individuals interested in personal growth and who hope to lead a more fulfilled life. I also have experience helping individuals facing depression, anxiety, trauma, physical and sexual abuse, suicidality, and family conflict. I am a certified Circ...
Want a therapist that flexes and adapts to your needs, goals, and style? I believe it is my job to learn about and conform to what my clients need, whether it's a more laid-back listening-oriented style or a more directive goal-oriented style. Your counseling process should be completely unique to who you are as a person, couple, or family and you should be encouraged to sit in the driver's sea...
Welcome! You are taking the first step toward a better you! I am an experienced psychotherapist, currently taking on new clients at my office in North Bethesda (just teletherapy for now). Also note that I will soon be opening up another office in Baltimore and accepting local clients for teletherapy. I strive to help my clients develop hope and deep insight using an eclectic approach--borrowing...
When your substance use has you against the ropes or flat on your back, it's important to have someone in your corner who truly understands your fight. I have over 25 years of experience working with individuals who are struggling with substance use. My strength is my ability to build a healing connection with my patients so we can work together to fight this disease. Together, we will recover...
I support families, adults and elders in navigating difficult times more gracefully. As we rush through our busy lives, we can feel lost and disconnected from our best selves. We can even become so immersed in our negative culture that we feel a deep sense of hopelessness. We can forget that we are smart, strong, tenacious and resilient. I can help you bring a greater sense of purpose and hope...
If you are suffering the damaging effects of anxiety and depression, you might be feeling all alone--isolated, marginalized and unseen. Your personal trauma history, problems with sexual identity, HIV status, drug use and/or addiction, or history of failed relationships might be contributing to feelings of guilt, shame, and hopelessness. How do you move forward, create a purposeful life and...
( English | español ) Diana focuses on helping her clients reach their full potential (wherever that may be) if you are ready to LEAP into a better tomorrow or walk through past/current issues in your life, Diana can help. She has been a social worker for over ten years in a variety of settings and has been practicing therapy for the last five years. Diana understands that at times all we need ...
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with years of experience working with families, individuals, and couples of all age groups. I have provided therapeutic services to families, couples, teens, and adolescents living within underserved communities. I have worked in the school, outpatient, and group home settings guiding those who have faced the challenges from everyday stressors to...
Are you are at a crossroads in your life? Do you feel you're living inauthentically or that some essential part of yourself got lost along the way? Oftentimes we hide complex parts of ourselves due to fear and, in so doing, experience depression and anxiety. Self-defeating belief patterns and narratives, often stemming from early conditioning, can trap us in habitual patterns of negative thinki...
Do you often find yourself worrying about the important relationships in your life? Maybe you’re wondering what happened to the sense of connection you once felt with your partner? Or perhaps you’re stuck in a painful pattern with someone you care deeply about, but you can’t figure out how to get unstuck? For many of us, relationships are central to our life, and we crave deep and meaningful...
Everyone has a unique story. I thrive on stories and also the people, who live, learn, and strive to change their journeys one day at a time. My goal and passion is to help clients empower themselves to reach their individual goals. You have the ability to control the course of your life. Life, at times, can bring challenges and unwelcome stress that's when we may need a little extra support an...
