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
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Eric’s clients include: Adolescent and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, grief/loss as well as substance use disorders; Couples struggling with pre-marital anxiety, infidelity and effect communication; Traditional and blended families with children suffering from adjustment disorder, optional defiant, conduct disorder and behavioral disorders; Men struggling with anger, sexual wellnes...
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Zena Counseling Center provides an accepting and nurturing environment that emphasizes psychological reconstruction, behavioral reformation and spiritual elevation. This allows our clients to feel comfortable exploring their goals and unique strengths in order to empower them in making meaningful live changes. Our counseling center utilizes a holistic integrative approach that acknowledges the...
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Being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for 15 years, working with families, in addition to, supporting children and adolescents with complex emotional, intellectual and behavioral needs, Allison has extensive experience working with a broad range of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, mood disorders, socialization issues and neurodevelopmental disorders. Over the years,...
As an art therapist, I am open to guiding client's into an exploration of self, targeting key issues with a creative focus. This includes utilizing various mediums, such as pastels, paints, and collage to uncover and discover all aspects of self. These transformative mediums can aid in building self esteem, resolving conflict, healing underlying issues causing somatic ailments etc. I have...
