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
Life gets hard at times with increasing demands and a finite amount of resources. As creatures of habit, we tend to get stuck in what seems like a never-ending cycle. My clients come to me with a desire for REAL change. They may be managing long-standing mental health problems and/or new and chronic medical conditions. They also seek to improve their relationships and find out what makes their...
Taking the first step to seek treatment takes courage. Natalie believes in the possibilities for healing and growth in therapy through a genuine collaborative relationship. She offers compassionate care and effective treatment by creating a safe, confidential, non-judgmental space to help individuals navigate through difficult life changes. Natalie helps clients learn new skills to handle...
Sometimes, life presents us with painful experiences that can leave us feeling overwhelmed. These unresolved and unhealed wounds can hinder our ability to move forward and live an empowered life. In therapy, my goal is to provide you with a safe space to examine and remove unhelpful patterns from your past, and allow for transformational healing to occur. I incorporate what I have learned from ...
Are you feeling stuck? Continuing to turn inward, seek guidance, make changes, but still feeling discontent and uncertain? Still struggling with life's stressors and questioning where you're going and who you are? I help clients who are searching for their life's purpose or soul's calling, those wanting more support in reconnecting with their true self so they can follow their own individual pa...
It takes a lot of courage to decide to look for help. It shouldn’t have to feel even riskier finding a therapist who you are comfortable with. I want you to feel like we are a good fit because therapy is like a long hike; sometimes there are steep inclines, sometimes there are beautiful views, but you definitely don’t want to hike with someone you’re not meshing with. Because this is so importa...
As a bilingual, first generation Mexican American therapist and Bay Area native, I am passionate about promoting exploration and connection to self identity, healthy relationships, and a growth mindset in times of transition. I work with children and families, particularly I specialize in providing a supportive and nonjudgmental space for teens struggling with the chaos of adolescence and becom...
Have you ever felt stuck, ashamed, embarrassed, guilty, stressed, traumatized or overwhelmed? These are some of the many emotions we can experience on a daily basis throughout our lives. You are not alone. I enjoy working in collaboration with clients in recognizing this, as well as identifying their strengths, working through past events, thoughts, feelings or behaviors, that they have felt ha...
During the COVID-19 Pandemic your health and safety is of utmost importance. I am offering Telehealth (Secure Video) Sessions. I am Bilingual therapist working in the community for for 20 years; helping families to improve their every day life and enjoy life to the fullest. I specialized in helping children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families to improve their ability to relate with othe...
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over twenty years of comprehensive post graduate experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. I focus on developing an empathetic and trusting relationship with my clients and their families. Within this therapeutic relationship, clients are able to address their goals and experience meaningful change and growth. To best addres...
"I believe that true change can only come from the feeling of being seen and heard in a relational way. Understanding how we adapt and learn to survive around our wounds is not only a sign of resiliency and strength, but encompasses our greatest capacity for healing. "...
Gretchen is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She comes from a strength-based approach that is understanding and non-judgemental. Her career path originally started out in Public Relations and Marketing at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. Her early career was focused on live events, sports marketing, advertising and entertainment media with Fortune 500 companies. She enjoys executive...
She/Her/Hers. Full Spectrum Counseling of Idaho is a sanctuary for the LGBTQIA+ community and those who love them. As a queer licensed professional counselor, I affirm transgender and BIPOC folx with my whole heart and seek to provide quality, compassionate mental health counseling and support to all those who are systemically oppressed and marginlized. I am a person-centered humanist with an...
Sydney is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFTA), who has experience working with a variety of concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, self-esteem, life transitions, communication in romantic and family relationships, and women’s empowerment. Sydney is an LGBTQ+ affirmative therapist. Sydney works with children, adolescents and adults, as well as families and...
HERE FOR YOU. If you are feeling defeated in your relationship, overwhelmed by life, burned-out by obligations, or angry at others, you’ve come to the right place. Here you can find a safe place to share and honor your story, discover your purpose, and break free of shame, guilt, anger, and other areas holding you back from being the most effective and authentic version of yourself. The clients...
Andreea uses CBT to focus on how a person’s thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes affect their feelings and behaviors. Andreea engages client in different types of experiential interventions that enhance the therapeutic process. Certain types of experiential therapy allow for individuals to develop an enhanced sense of self-control, self-esteem, and accomplishment. Andreea believes that experiential...
