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
*CURRENTLY NOT ABLE TO ACCEPT NEW CLIENTS* I offer a non-judging space to explore your concerns in depth. Maybe you have been keeping your painful experiences and worries to yourself for many years and you want an opportunity to explore them both freely and privately. Or, maybe you need someone other than a friend or a family member to help you examine your thoughts, feelings, and experiences t...
Whether you're living with depression, anger, problems with motivation or difficulties handling mood swings, I have experience and ideas and a non-judgmental approach to your situation. I'm a straightforward person so I may challenge you if I think that will help you. I can also help you think from a different perspective which in turn can lead to you experiencing different emotions. I have a g...
My desire is to come alongside those who are hurting and help them find hope, a sense of meaning and purpose, and healing. Regardless of whether I am treating an individual, couple or family, I believe that a meaningful, authentic relationship between the client and therapist is essential to the process of healing. My goal is to create a collaborative and safe space for us to enact change in yo...
I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and a founding partner of Compass Behavioral Health and Wellness, LLC. My goal is to empower my clients to explore their emotional experiences, to work towards understanding their interpersonal relationships, and to identify individual strengths through a collaborative therapeutic relationship. I am passionate about providing psychotherapeutic services to...
My name is Iesha Anderson. I was born and raised in Houston, TX and graduated from Prairie View A&M University. I also attended Texas Southern University with a Bachelors in Psychology. Academics were a very important part of my life. I realized at an early age that education was vital to my future success in life and the life of others. I have always had a passion for counseling and helping si...
* Not accepting new clients at this time * I am committed to helping my clients become the best version of themselves. I believe the relationship formed between the therapist and client is crucial in clients experiencing success. I work to create a safe space in which my clients feel at ease exploring life’s challenges and finding effective ways of addressing them. I focus on assisting my clien...
If you, or a family member, are struggling with alcohol or substances, I would love to sit down with you and listen. We can decide together what steps you would like to take to create a healthier you. I offer an empathic and genuine relationship, skills, knowledge and experience, in a confidential and non judgemental environment, to help you become the person you would like to be. I have passio...
I want to assist individuals, couples, and families, ages birth to 99+, on their chosen paths to living a healthy, mentally stable lifestyle by creating a safe, compassionate, and caring environment where individuals are free to be themselves, where they are comfortable in their own skins, where they can identify their strengths, identify their goals, and pursue those goals on their timeline. I...
Sarah works with high-achieving caregiving types who put others before themselves, feel burned out, and are ready to set boundaries. They are addressing anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues and are often peacemakers in their families and with friends. Many are working through difficult childhoods and ongoing difficult family relationships. They may struggle with what they want...
We all have learned to walk through this world with a certain degree of guardedness and protection. Through a safe and gradual process, I assist people in letting down the walls that we formed to protect us. I have found that when our masks start to come off, we can form more authentic and real connections with others. You can safely begin to open, become vulnerable, and get in touch with what ...
Do you want a therapist who is proficient and attuned to matters of social justice, relationships, and spirituality? Who is passionate about her work with minorities and other marginalized communities? Who is continuously learning and curious about how to best serve her clients? If so, I might be your therapist! I am a bilingual (Spanish and English) therapist working exclusively via teletherap...
(Currently Full) My ideal client is ready and willing to explore their emotional experiences, analyze their current relationship dynamics, and is open to being challenged. I enjoy working with people that are prepared to experiment with new ways of thinking and behaving. I find it the most rewarding when my clients learn to identify their own strengths and gain insight into their top values. Gi...
I am enthusiastic and passionate about bringing people closest to the most pure and honest versions of themselves through understanding, insight, and acceptance so they have the freedom for connection, enjoyment, and prosperity in a better world. People enjoy my strengths-based approach and I often incorporate therapeutic techniques from interpersonal, family systems, and culturally-informed...
Life is demanding. Sometimes it helps to have a place where you can slow down and think, feel, and talk at your own pace. If you’re feeling stuck or dealing with stress, therapy can help. We can explore whatever feels meaningful to you. I provide therapy for couples, teens, adults, and older adults. My specialties include autism, grief & loss, trauma, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem,...
We specialize in the arena of marriage and family therapy working with patients to sort out their emotional issues, create better view of life, to connect couples and families to their goal and purpose in the relationship, and to overcome the negative story they have been telling themselves. Part of a therapist's training prepares them to identify a host of emotional and psychological disorders...
