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 can be challenging. For adults those challenges can include parenting, relationships, job stress, overwhelming emotions, life transitions, and many more. Challenges for children and teens can include school-related issues like academic stress, bullying, peer pressure, general "drama", and others. Ultimately, we are all searching for safety, satisfaction and fulfillment in our lives. Often,...
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with several years of experience treating a wide range of presenting concerns within adults, teens, families, and couples. Some of these presenting concerns include depression, anxiety, grief, relationship dilemmas, challenges with life transitions, identity development and exploration, and working through past traumas. My areas of specialty include eating...
Hello! I’m Krysta and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in working with pre-teens, adolescents and young adults. Many of the patients that I have worked with have struggled with symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, Self-esteem, Emotion Regulation & Mood Disorders, Behavioral, Educational and Vocational issues, Relationships, Family conflict and just the day to day stressors of...
I see individuals, couples, and adolescents seeking support, insight, and emotional stability when facing distress and challenges. They understand the benefit of my helping them to bring the dark feelings into the light, enabling them to be addressed and resolved in a straightforward, honest manner. These include coping with transitions, intimacy and illness, as well as successfully navigating...
Therapy could be a scary place at first. The process of exploring ourselves could be full of surprises - yet the connections in the therapy room create safety, empowerment and strength.It is not about how the therapist helps you, it is about how you can help yourself along with the insight, reliance and empathy that is already in you. I am here for you - by being right by your side, connecting...
Are you ready for more vitality and calm in your life? Through our work together, you can access sustaining energy, hope, and joy. I will support you in developing deeper empathy and compassion for yourself, while turning towards and addressing the pain points in your life. I work with adults and couples in healing childhood and other traumas, relationship and sexual concerns, and unhealthy cop...
Hi! I'm Sarah, and I can't wait to embark on this journey together. My background in dance performance and teaching, coupled with my passion for helping others, led me to study and share the healing potential of movement. I aim to support my clients in gaining awareness of the mind/body connection, identifying areas of the body that may be feeling “stuck” or “held,” and honoring the immense...
Welcome to West Meadow Counseling! We are comprised of 5 Licensed Therapists helping children, adolescents, adults, couples and families with mental, emotional, and spiritual struggles. We recognize and respect each individual and family as unique. Therefore, we strive to create a trusting and compassionate environment from which a strong therapeutic relationship can grow in. We believe change...
Bruce D. Perry stated, ""Relationships are the agents of change and the most powerful therapy is human love." In family systems therapy, familial relationships, patterns, communication, and behaviors are examined within and beyond the therapy session, allowing for assessment, observation, and guidance around how certain behaviors could be impacting your family or organization, and how your...
**Not taking new clients at this time*** Making changes can be overwhelming and daunting. Sometimes it can be hard to know where to even start. However, with support I believe that everyone is capable of taking the steps towards healing and growth that are right for them. I specialize in working with adolescents, young adults, adults and underrepresented populations. My work with these populati...
Throughout my years of studying Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling, I've gained experience working with a wide range of clientele. From middle school students struggling to achieve academic goals, to women handling postpartum mood disorders, and families attempting to effectively communicate their emotions, every person who comes to therapy is unique and deserves to be treated as...
I believe in a mind/body connection and in treating the whole person. I believe healthy relationships are key to optimal functioning and happiness. I wish to continue working with a wide variety of people in relation to age, sex, educational level, economic status, and presenting problems. I seek to work with honest, curious individuals who hope to better themselves and want to experience all t...
At Heart for Change Counseling Services, we value finding darkness in the world and bringing light. We treat all people with dignity and respect, maintain an environment free from judgement, and provide a team-approach to ensure those who walk through our doors feel valued, supported, and heard. We believe in making quality services affordable regardless of insurance. With different therapists...
Welcome! Transformational Choices Holistic Therapy in Southfield is currently accepting new clients. Our mission is to provide affordable, comprehensive, and holistic mental health services to individuals, couples, families, children, and groups throughout southeast Michigan. We believe that every individual deserves a life of total wellness. We believe that our clients are the experts in their...
As the result of my work with a wide array of individuals with a variety of different mental health needs, I believe true healing must be viewed from an all-encompassing therapeutic approach that considers the whole person. This includes aspects such as their identity/sense of self, upbringing, traumas, interpersonal relationships, personality, as well as their presenting environmental...
