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
Are you struggling with certain areas in your life? Are you looking to make a change? Arianna walks a journey with her clients and understands that healing is not linear and rather divergent; everyone has their own path. Life is not meant to walk alone and if you feel that you would like to work on yourself mentally or if you simply need a safe place to construct your thoughts, this can be a pa...
Dr. Tackett believes everyone can create the life they want. But sometimes, we need support to get where we are trying to go. Dr. Tackett offers outpatient body image and eating disorder recovery care to families, couples, and individuals of all ages. She can help you develop healthy coping while addressing trauma, stress, interpersonal conflict, and life transitions. She works with dietitians,...
Taking a step towards healing shows your inner strength at play. I approach therapy with this idea in mind. Each person has their own personal strengths that they bring with them. I believe my role as a therapist is to not only hold space for the difficult times, but to bring to light my client's inner strengths that will assist them in taking steps towards building a life worth living. Goals f...
Helping people to achieve their full potential is my passion. In my nearly 20 years in the field, I’ve worked with a broad range of clients – from 5 year old children facing traumatic abuse to 100 year old Sisters suffering from dementia. I’ve helped homeless teen parents, boys and girls, men and women, people who weren’t sure who they were and people fighting to be recognized for who they are....
Today and in the world around us it’s easy to go numb to our own reality and just get by. But the reality is that for most of us we want our lives to be meaningful, to make a difference and to know that we matter. For us to achieve at least one of these things, we must first face ourselves, sit in that uncomfortable place and be willing to accept help. Kimberly’s client-centered approach to...
Sometimes, old stories are built into our current awareness that no longer serve our needs. Grief, complex-trauma, and unresolved issues become stuck in our thoughts and behaviors. Our energy becomes encased in worry or fears. Psychotherapy can reduce suffering, release tension, and build insight to the patterns that no longer serve us. Through compassion, acceptance, and nonjudgmental feedback...
***Not accepting new patients at this time.*** Welcome! I’m so happy you are here, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work together. I utilize a systems approach and strengths perspective to meet you where you are at in your life. My primary goal is to empower you by providing the necessary tools to achieve emotional balance and growth in a safe, calm, supportive, and trauma-informed...
Loneliness, fear, and worry are powerful feelings that can keep us disconnected from those around us. You might notice yourself thinking “things have to change” or “I can’t do this anymore.” Perhaps you feel like you’ve tried everything and are exhausted from the effort; you’ve tried to talk to others but walk away feeling misunderstood and lonely. It could even be that the fear of sharing your...
What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” – Glenn Close. I am a firm believer in the importance of making healthy changes in ourselves, as we continue to grow and heal through life’s challenges. I have provided individual, couples and family therapy. As a family system trained clinician I am well versed in family functioning and treatment planning...
I see clients with needs involving emotional and mental pain that come from a variety of different pathways, including but not limited to, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, and trauma. I look to provide the client with evidenced based practices and interventions to allow the client, caregiver, and I to collaborate and determine the best pathway to growth. I see clients ranging in ages, from 3 to...
I use a strength based approach to help clients overcome life's hardships I offer Trauma focused Cognitive behavioral therapy, Emotionally focused therapy and Solution focused therapy to serve individuals, couples and families. I am currently accepting new clients....
I believe therapy can be transformative. Not the kind of transformation where something totally new is created out of thin air, but rather the kind of transformation where what is already there gets to grow, expand, and take comfortable shape. For me, the goal of therapy is to be more authentically yourself and to feel comfortable in your own skin. It is to feel those intense emotions without...
Are you and your spouse missing each other? Are you like ships in the night whose paths never cross, signals get mixed up, and the choppy waters bring you hopelessness and fear? You are not alone in your desire for a better marriage. About 1/3 of first marriages and about 1/2 of subsequent marriages in the U.S. end in divorce, and that figure doesn't account for the loneliness encountered in ot...
I specialize in relationships, trauma, stress, parenting, and life transitions. If you find yourself often feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed, I can help. You will gain insight into your thoughts and emotions, as well as how they affect your every day behavior. You will learn healthy ways to cope and lessen the stress. I have over five years experience supporting adults, teenagers, and...
As a therapist, I believe in a holistic approach to treatment that not only focuses on the psychological, but also on the physical, socio-economic, religious, and spiritual factors in one’s life. I have experience working with pediatric, adult, and geriatric clients from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. My clients often seek guidance in managing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and...
