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
When unexpected events happen in life many people turn to negative ways of coping with stress, anger, or anxiety. Finding help can be a difficult process. I hope that as your therapist we can work together on exploring how to best address your stressors, symptoms and concerns. I tailor my approach to my patient's needs in order to help provide the tools and guidance to manage negative feelings,...
Are you a military member, veteran, or military dependent? I grew up in a military family and am now a military spouse—I get the struggle to survive long distances and career changes. As a therapist, I am motivated to help military couples and families find the balance between relationships, kids, careers, and daily life. Smart, capable folks who love one another can get caught in painful...
As a therapist, my goal is by building trust, providing guidance, and by us working together you or your loved one will defeat whatever challenge they are currently experiencing. Over the past 10 years of experience as a therapist, teacher, and youth counselor, I have learned that working with children, adolescents, young adults, and parents is my passion. I have experience working with...
My philosophy of healing is like working your way through a set of nesting dolls from the outer doll representing why you want to heal: trauma, attachment/relationship injury, depression, grief, and anxiety. The next doll holds the symptoms, thoughts, and feelings of the first doll. The next doll may may hold your negative beliefs you have perceived about yourself, others, and the world. The ne...
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 16 years' experience working with adults, children and families. I have worked in many settings from behavioral health agencies, Childrens Hospitals IOP, and school settings providing both clinical and group counseling. I find that the most effective approach is one that is strengths-based with a strong emphasis on helping clients solve the proble...
All too often we find ourselves repeating the same behaviors, pursing the same types of relationships, and feeling frustrated with the same emotional experiences. We get stuck in a cycle that often leaves us feeling lost, disconnected, misunderstood, and undervalued. Conversely, this can also cause us to desperately ask, “What is wrong with me?” While navigating my own recovery journey, I felt...
There are times in life where people will seek counseling because they feel disconnected in their relationships, are struggling with difficult situations and emotions, or long to live a life that feels meaningful, satisfying and authentic. Counseling can help you navigate through this transformative time in your life. I am prepared to help you navigate through this transformation. My therapeuti...
Authenticity. Intention. Connection. Integrity. These are foundational principles that I cultivate in my therapy practice. Drawing from my background in Ecopsychology and Transpersonal Psychology, I believe in the interconnectedness of all things, and see the basic goodness in every being. I will join you in your exploration of expansion with an open and collaborative approach. I bring my passi...
Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Addiction Counselor. For the past seven years, I have helped adult individuals and groups heal from mental/behavioral health issues and substance addiction utilizing a variety of evidence-based practices. My approach focuses on cultivating self-acceptance & self-love, learning how to heal through traumatic and difficult experiences to f...
Every child can benefit from extra support while coping with all the demands on their time and energies. Families by any definition are increasingly challenged to respond effectively when children and adolescents act out. Beginning with what is working, I help families build on their strengths and find ways to improve connections, communicate with purpose and regain a sense of belonging. Within...
We all have problems; how we manage them is what defines us. I work with you to help you navigate your life with as much grace as possible. Using a variety of techniques and tools, personalized for your needs and your personality, I can assist you with finding your strengths and building on what you already excel at. The roadblocks you face, the difficulties life throws at you, they can be turn...
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive work with teenagers, individuals, families and couples counseling. I have been trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and IFS (Internal Family Systems) Therapy. I feel that seeking therapy shows tremendous inner strength and character! I feel it is an honor to walk with people in part of their journey of life where they may need some extr...
ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS!!! I believe life is a process which is continually changing. My goal is to help clients get though these challenging times in life by providing effective counseling approaches. By aligning the client’s goals with the proper treatment plan we can work together to overcome some of life’s personal circumstances. Having open and honest communication between client and counsel...
BRINK OF BREAKUP OR DIVORCE; INFIDELITY; PARTNER BETRAYAL; DECEPTION, LIES, SECRECY; NARCISSIST TRAITS; CODEPENDENCY; TOXIC LOVE ATTACHMENT: Can you bounce back and heal from partner infidelity or betrayal? Can you feel better and rebuild trust again? Can your relationship or marriage become stronger and more connected after the devastating discovery of infidelity and betrayal? ABSOLUTELY!...
While the counseling process can be both scary and beautiful, I seek to provide compassionate, enthusiastic, and dedicated counseling services. I strive to create a non-judgmental, safe, and empathetic environment. My hope is this environment and our therapeutic alliance is conducive to one’s exploration of his or her own experience in which I will explore WITH you. Also, my therapy dog *in...
