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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****ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS**** I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia and provide individual and family counseling to adolescents, young adults, and adults. My primary focus is in the treatment of depression, anxiety, phase of life issues, trauma, and issues related to college-aged students. I have experience providing community-based and school-based counseling to at-ri...
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I do client-centered therapy that seeks to inspire and focus one’s heart and mind into a loving balance. I strive to help my clients understand their true-self through knowing many parts of themselves like communication style, personality type, ways of thinking and feeling, family systems and birth order, environmental experiences and more. My strengths are empathy, acceptance, deep-listening,...
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I specialize in addressing concerns older adults face as they transition into the later years of life. Disappointments, failed past relationships, loneliness, and/or a desire for companionship are common struggles. I enjoy working with clients who want to increase their awareness of their emotional and spiritual health, and live the remainder of their lives with a hope-filled perspective. I am...
It is common for people to need support during major life changes. I offer an empathetic and nonjudgmental context to process and make meaning of these life transitions. I am drawn towards treatment modalities that are collaborative, person-centered, and non-shaming. I use an attachment-based lens to work with new parents, couples, and grief/bereavement. I draw from Motivational Interviewing to...
As a counselor specializing in sex therapy, my intention is to be purposeful and down to earth in serving clients through a sex positive lens. Every person brings individual qualities, history and stories to therapy. For this reason, it is essential to form the therapeutic relationship by embracing those qualities in order to understand one’s unique worldviews, beliefs and values on the path to...
