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
Sex can be a source of suffering for a relationship. I specialize in working with couples around issues of sexuality, including infidelity, desire differences, erotic conflict, and impacts of trauma, loss and stress to relationships and sexuality. I help you integrate your unique sexuality into your life and relationships so that you are empowered to live congruently and honestly. Together we w...
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I am a Columbia University trained psychotherapist and have been practicing therapy for the past 16 years. My style of practice is interactive and relational. This means we will work together and build a relationship from which we can work through what you need help with. I tend to be transparent and will share my thoughts with you. This will be an active therapy experience where we will use ou...
Hi, I'm Caitlin. I support people to connect with their deepest personal power, and to transform painful beliefs and behaviors. Together, we rewrite the stories we have been told, and tell ourselves, about our power, lovability, beauty, bodies, and societal worth. I believe everyone has profound gifts to offer. Part of my work with clients is to shine a light on the wisdom they already possess,...
Melissa helps her clients recover from various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, addiction and alcoholism. Flexible schedule to work with you toward freedom. Stress/Anxiety: Specialized anxiety track to help you cope and provide you the tools for distress tolerance and emotional regulation. Career Counseling: I love helping people discover and connect to a career path that su...
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It is my belief that beneficial treatment for all kinds of emotional difficulties lies, most importantly, in my active listening and then,in my offer to teach skill building techniques for problem solving. In this practice of listening and then reflecting back, I can assist you in learning to hear yourself and then, to use your skills to make better decisions. You can do this because you are ab...
As a clinician, it is my honor to walk alongside patients who struggle with depression, anxiety, self-image complexities, marital and family struggles. I also enjoy working with patients to discover their own life’s mission and pursuing purpose with passion. I prefer a pragmatic approach that includes psychodynamic treatment, CBT, DBT skills, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-focused, and...
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I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with extensive training in adolescent and adult counseling. I strongly believe in helping clients establish a positive support system and work to incorporate family members and other support systems into the therapeutic process. I have served as a counselor in both inpatient and outpatient mental health settings. Having piloted and overseen...
I believe that therapy gives us the opportunity to express ourselves to the fullest extent without fear of judgment or retaliation. My background in mental health and social justice grounds my practice in anti-oppressive frameworks. I particularly love working with people living with disability/TBI, medical and complex trauma, neurodiversity, and sexuality and gender identity formation. I am al...
Stress can have a severe impact on our mental, emotional, and physical health. All life stages can experience stress from babies and children through adults. Sometimes stress from the past is influencing the present. Finding the best way to cope can be hard, and we may not always have the support we need to make it through those tough times. Having someone to talk to about those wellbeing damag...
Are you having issues with anger, depression, anxiety or grief? Are you and a significant other having relationship problems? Therapy can help start the healing. Would you like a supportive, confidential environment where you can discuss these issues? Together we can learn coping skills to help you be happier and more fulfilled. I am here to listen and to share effective techniques that can hel...
Hello and a warm welcome to my page. I am glad that you are here. I specialize in both adult mental health and early childhood mental health. If you are a parent, please read on. If you are an adult seeking help for your deep pain and sadness, I can help. Do you sometimes discharge your anxiety in ways that make you regret your actions, or do you hide your fear of how others may view you, or fi...
I help people who are suffering, lost in emotional distress & pain. Clients work with me to heal from emotional, sexual, & physical trauma, loss, or a dysfunctional family of origin. I guide & support clients on a journey of insight, as they face emotional pain that refuses to be ignored. I see clients come out the other side with greater self-worth, grounded by confidence in themselves,...
