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
Whatever the reason that brought you here, I’m glad you made it. Through the journey of life, many of us experience anxiety, depression, grief/loss, and daily stress which can cause us to feel stuck, unmotivated, and at times hopeless. This affects the relationships we form, which have a profound impact on both our mental health and physical well-being. As a licensed psychologist, my practice i...
Do you feel dissatisfied with how you relate to others or to yourself? Are you unsure of how to break out of a behavioral, emotional, or cognitive loop? I work with my clients to identify the loops they’re stuck in, what is maintaining them, and how to begin to do things differently. I provide a safe, validating, and compassionate space for this exploration. Although I pay particular attention ...
Gail Renwick has a passion and dedication to serve our nation's active military service-members and their families radiates as she unswervingly volunteers her time, talents, knowledge and thousands of dedicated hours to a state of the art military and teaching hospital in Northern Virginia. Gail is a member of the Behavioral Health Consultation and Liaison Services at a hospital where she provi...
I founded Saint Louis Family Counseling because I believe we are all worthy of living meaningful and fulfilling lives. I enjoy working with individuals and couples, adults and adolescents in exploring and writing their next life chapter. You may be seeking counseling because you are aware there is something standing in your way, we could call this “the problem.” Sometimes exploring your...
(Online Sessions Available) I often work with people that are experiencing a loss or other life crisis and want help finding direction. I also work with individuals who are trying to overcome the effects of traumatic childhood experiences, such as physical, emotional or sexual abuse. These experiences can leave us with patterns of behavior that worked in an abusive environment, but don't lead t...
At times, we just need someone to talk to outside of our daily lives. We find ourselves with problems that we may not be able to solve on our own. Sometimes, we need a safe space where we can open-up and gain perspective and confidence. Are you overburdened with caregiver fatigue? Caregivers of all kinds often have self-doubt, guilt and shame about asking for help. Many caregivers just don't kn...
There exists in all of us a wound or hurt that we have learned to either live with, or maybe disguise-a protective and gracious attempt at avoiding pain. Therapy is a unique setting to safely explore not only past wounds, but how they impact your present life and relationships. In this way, we can learn to have compassion for the parts of us that have not felt cared for and move towards healing...
I work to help people find greater meaning, clarity and purpose - especially at important crossroads of change. Our view of self can be altered through past trauma, divorce, relocation, loss, illness, and new opportunities for growth can be embraced. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and past trauma can lower motivation and activate old ways that no longer serve you today. I collaborate with you...
From time to time I am honored to be asked some variant of the question, "What should I look for in choosing a therapist?" That is actually a pretty deep philosophical question and it is of vital importance as well. Out of respect for your time I will give you the short version, "Look for wisdom". People are usually expecting an answer like "high intelligence" or "vast knowledge" but while thos...
I believe that all people are capable of healing from past trauma and making changes to improve their lives. I feel fortunate to be able to help people through these processes. I work hard to earn my clients' trust by offering them authenticity, understanding, and unconditional positive regard. I have been in the mental health field for 16 years and I have been practicing therapy in Missoula fo...
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist with 15+ years of experience and I have practices in Danville and Walnut Creek. I’m a general family practitioner meaning I work with children, teens and adults, however I specialize in teen/adolescent counseling and marriage counseling. Throughout the different areas of the field that I work in, I explore the role of one’s identity and what their...
Therapy is a place to heal from past experiences, develop coping skills, and build confidence. Whether you or your child are facing negative impacts brought on by bullying, loss, family hardship, or a traumatic experience from the past, counseling can help. I am a Social Work Supervisee specializing in trauma, coping skills, and emotion management. I am currently on my way to becoming an LCSW w...
I specialize in solution-focused therapy. Through the lens of Person-centered psychology, I collaborate with clients to identify what would make the most difference in the area that they want to work on. Each counseling session is directive and intentional in moving clients toward accomplishing their goals for therapy. I work mainly within the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy framework, with system...
As a licensed psychologist, I have extensive training and experience using evidence-based treatments for anxiety, phobias, depression, and trauma. I view the client-therapist relationship as a crucial component in facilitating client growth and work from a holistic and interdisciplinary framework, using a relational approach informed by cognitive-behavioral, trauma-based, somatic,...
I am a licensed Clinical Therapist in Michigan and have been for over 20 years. I have worked with a diverse population including teens, adults, seniors, families and couples. I work with issues such as Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, Psychotic Disorders, Low Self-Esteem, Panic Disorders, PTSD, Adjustment disorder, Grief and Loss, LGBTQ related issues, Trauma, Anger Management and Work/L...
