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 work with teens struggling with depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, ADHD, behavioral issues, anger management, problems at school, or family conflict. I believe it is important to be heard and understood. I work hard to provide an environment where people can feel safe and secure to allow for genuine expression of what they are going through. I enjoy working with couples and helping them...
For more than 25 years I have worked in the field of adoption. If you are a foster or an adoptive parent, you may find the typical parenting techniques do not work with your child who has suffered early trauma. As a Foundational Theraplay and Trust Based Relational Practitioner, I work closely with the parents in treatment, so you can be an active part of your child's healing. These therapies a...
Welcome to Stars Counseling! It is sometimes hard to figure out what your journey will entail when faced with challenges especially during tough times. We all struggle with something, and at Stars Counseling, I hope to help the struggle become less of a burden and more of an experience that you will overcome. As a counselor I believe that people are in different places during their lifetime and...
I help people with difficult or painful experiences find joy again. Feelings hopeless and isolated? Lets give you the skills to change your life. When a person tries to change without help they can run into a lot of barriers. These barriers often make things worse. Leaving you feeling distant from other and even a stranger to yourself. The person often doesn't even know why they are struggling....
My belief is that effective counseling develops from establishing a collaborative relationship with clients, as they are the experts in their lives. Through psychodynamic therapy individuals gain a self-awareness and understanding of the influence of their past on present circumstances, and enables individuals to explore unresolved conflicts and symptoms that arise from past dysfunctional...
I believe that each person wants to find fulfillment in life, and that through the therapeutic relationship, we can work together to achieve this goal. In today's world, there are so many pressures and obstacles that people face on a daily basis. I work to help people identify the factors that affect their lives, assist them in gaining insight into the causes of their problems, and develop...
I enjoy working with adolescents and adults within the scope of individual and couples therapy. I strive to create a safe, compassionate, authentic relationship with each person with whom I work and to personalize therapy to meet the unique needs of each individual. I have been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-informed care, trauma-informed care, the Collaborative...
JFCS works with clients from a variety of social, cultural, and economic backgrounds. All the therapists work hard to build a trusting relationships so their client's can feel safe and empowered. Clients can meet us at one of our 3 Monmouth County locations (Absury Park, Morganville, Eatontown). If they are elderly or disabled we also provide in-homes sessions. We have a variety of services...
I work with clients who would like to become their best selves. Clients who are dedicated towards their own personal growth by being genuine and honest, acknowledging their struggles as well as their passions and what makes them feel enlivened. My clients are open and willing to engage in the therapeutic process, showing courage and trust when confronting change. My clients know that they are n...
Dr. Efrain Antonio Gonzalez provides individual psychotherapy to adults and adolescents. Psychotherapy offers an opportunity to manage anxiety, depression, and relationship issues by exploring difficult experiences and emotions in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Dr. Gonzalez is a certified Psychoanalyst and an Adjunct Professor at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Neuroscience and...
TELETHERAPY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE. My ideal client is willing to be introspective. They may present with a wide array of issues ranging from depression, anxiety, bi-polar, schizophrenia and adjustment and posttraumatic stress disorders, ADHD, substance and alcohol abuse, hoarding, LGBTQ+ related issues, sexual and physical trauma, relationship concerns and grief. Not only do my clients need...
I currently work with adults both individually and as couples/relationships with people of all backgrounds, cultures, and lifestyles with any number of reasons for seeking therapy. I work heavily on topics related to LGBTQIA+ identity, racial identity, polyamory and consensual non-monogamy relationships, kink/BDSM play and lifestyle, divorce/separation/break-ups, family/caregiver support, chron...
I work with children, adolescents, adults and families on the north shore of Chicago. I specialize in supporting people dealing with anxiety, depression, social issues, low self-esteem, life transitions and complex family systems. I have experience working with both individuals and families and have particular expertise in understanding family dynamics. My approach is eclectic, with a...
Therapy is a highly personal and unique process for each person. I strive to meet you where you are at in your life with a genuine and non-judgmental approach. We will work together to collaboratively identify where you feel stuck, to explore your values and what brings your life meaning, and to gain a deeper understanding of yourself both individually and in relation to others. We will also se...
I am passionate about the work that I do and truly believe in the benefits of utilizing DBT skills with my clients in the outpatient setting. These skills can help people with a wide range of diagnoses and symptoms, since it is a behavioral therapy and aims to regulate our emotional responses (and what we do as a result of those emotional responses), regardless of what is causing it in the mome...
