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
"Mighty oaks from little acorns grow." Acorn Psych is the private practice of Dr. Dena Dunn, a licensed clinical psychologist, infant mental health specialist, and child development consultant. I offer individual and family therapy as well as parenting support and child development consultation. I believe in holding space for strong people during vulnerable times, sitting beside humans seeking...
I am open to those who are both willing and apprehensive about therapy. I have treated children and adolescents with extensive traumatic backgrounds, maladaptive behaviors, and other mental health needs including depression, anxiety, self-harm, and attention/impulsivity difficulties. I have also provided therapeutic services to adults within a family setting. While I believe our past experience...
I help couples and families find healing and peace in the face of disconnection, trauma, infidelity, betrayal, poor communication, grief, and sexual issues. I seek to understand my clients. My approach is authentic and real. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental place for my clients to learn about themselves and work through difficult challenges. Simply put, I help individuals, couples and...
The world is a broken place and my goal is to help clients walk through their brokenness in order to thrive. I cannot take the pain away, but I can walk with you through it and give you tools to take with you on your journey. I have a heart for good marriages and want to encourage you as a team in order to work together and not against each other. Relationships are vital to our community and ou...
Are you struggling with how to make your relationship(s) work? Do you find yourself slipping into unhealthy patterns and behaviors when it comes to your relationship(s)? Have you tried to work things out on your own with little or no success? Change takes energy and is hard to achieve on our own. We tend to maintain a familiar way of handling our problems. As an unbiased observer, I help...
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As a relationship therapist, I am passionate and effective in strengthening couples, supporting families, and helping individuals connect. With care and compassion, I can help you and your partner calm conflict, re-establish trust, increase friendship & intimacy, deal with past trauma, heal from betrayal. For relationship distress, together we create the change needed to relate in positive ways...
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Do you wish your partner understood you better? Do you feel like you can't connect with your kids? Do you want to manage relationships better? You can! I work with clients of all ages to make relationships healthy and strong. Clients see me individually, or with loved ones to learn how to communicate better and diffuse conflict. When working with couples and families, I utilize John Gottman’s...
I'm not your average psychodynamic therapist. Hi, I'm Staci and I'm a modern psychotherapist for post-grad-to-pre-baby New Yorkers. Triggering events and major life transitions you're facing are leading you to feel stuck, lost, isolated, worried and stressed AF. I help you FINALLY get a grip on your anxiety so you can unlock your full potential. My east-meets-west mind-body approach is modern,...
Hello, I look forward to meeting with you. We are not meant to be perfect; we are meant to be whole. My goal is to help you create the life experience that makes you happy. I will provide a safe, supportive, confidential, and nonjudgmental environment for you. I offer therapy that is empowering, collaborative, and client-centered to adolescents, individuals, couples, and families. My areas of...
The demands of daily living often deny us the opportunity to reflect upon and respond to that which needs healing. Beyond helping you find relief from distressing symptoms, I aim to create an affirming space where you can explore and repair patterns that have left you feeling stuck, lost and disconnected. Our work will focus on empowering you to claim the life you deem meaningful and the...
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We all face challenges and experiences, and need help navigating the ups and downs of life. I have helped many through serious events after a cancer diagnosis, infertility, postpartum mood changes, loss of a loved one (including a miscarriage) and divorce. My goal is to help you feel better. Are you grieving the loss of a loved one? Is your teen struggling with bullying or social issues? Are yo...
