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
*Accepting new clients during the holidays no waiting time*. How are you feeling right now? We might feel stuck in our relationship. We might feel that we have lost something or someone. We might feel frustrated because we can't travel. We might be anxious to wait or depressed about the world. We might also become more self-aware of our body image. With talk therapy and Brainspotting in our...
Farah Huq
Chicago
Illinois
Farah Huq
Chicago
Illinois
Sometimes we do not know where our strengths lie. It is when we are in a room with an empathic person focusing on our needs and issues, we can then access our strengths and move forward. I firmly believe everyone has it in themselves to be self-aware and address elements that are causing disharmony in their lives. My goal is to offer clients a safe and nonjudgmental environment where they can...
I enjoy working with clients who are looking to explore and who are looking for someone to walk with them in their journey. Trauma and other life experiences can be overwhelming to handle on your own. These experiences can also feel lonely. It is important to me to support my clients in their therapeutic journey and to let them know they are not alone. I look to support clients who have...
Hello and welcome! I am a strengths-based therapist who works collaboratively with children and their families to recognize their strengths and build upon them. I have experience working in residential treatment facilities working with youth in foster care. During those years I developed a deep passion for helping children work through their struggles, as well as provide an additional positive...
Offering InPerson or TeleVideo Therapy. Are you looking for change? Are you committed to make it happen? Do you need some direction and guidance? I can help you. I am convinced that we all have the capacity to continue learning and growing for as long as we live, including that of making difficult personal changes. Working together, you and I can turn your obstacles into opportunities so you ca...
There are many challenges we all face in our lives, both external and internal. Maybe you've noticed that things are more difficult than they used to be or you're struggling to find joy and meaning in life. Maybe you're dealing with difficult memories or the impact from your past. Maybe you're struggling to manage the stress of day to day life or to maintain positive relationships. Know that yo...
Congratulations on taking this step! Knowles Consulting and Psychological Services was founded by Licensed Psychologist, Dr Odessia Knowles. It is our belief that life has a way of challenging us to grow. We believe in providing support and guidance as people navigate through those spaces of growth. Services provided include therapy, consultation, trainings, speaking engagements, supervision, a...
Chris A Hill
Minneapolis
Minnesota
Chris A Hill
Minneapolis
Minnesota
I have a genuine love for helping my client discover and make the changes they would like or need to make. As a therapist I am open and honest with my clients and work with humility to establish trust. I feel confident helping my clients work through various issues that come up. Individuals, relationships, as a parent or work related, I have worked with teens and adults. Currently I specialize ...
Life is full of joy and pain. And now may be a time in your life when pain is felt more strongly; the pain from worry, hurt, loss, failure, disconnection, or unfulfillment. We all have a deep yearning to understand ourselves and be understood, especially during those time. I would love to walk alongside you in this journey as you make sense of your pain and regain your joy. I use a variety of...
Elisa Pak
Los Angeles
California
Elisa Pak
Los Angeles
California
Are you tired of the same old patterns and anxiety holding you back in life? Perhaps you know what your goals are and you would like to gain some more insight and coping skills as you work towards them. You've been putting a lot of pressure on yourself and you're wanting support as you figure things out. You’re realizing it’s time to take care of you. You are motivated and ready for a change....
Are you a man or woman struggling with anxiety, stress, or depression? Do you stay in your home because you would be so embarrassed if you were to have a panic attack in public? Are you so depressed you cannot sleep at night or maybe you sleep all day? You don't eat. You can't work. You cry all the time. Is your partner done with you and have moved out? Are you a college student who is missing...
Therapy is the process of coming to live as our best selves. This involves a complex dance of change and acceptance. It's this process that I so appreciate navigating together with my clients. Some people reach out to a therapist because of challenging life-adjustment situations. Others are pushed into therapy by family, friends, or employers when they are in highly distressing situations. Eith...
I enjoy working with clients who are looking for assistance with stress in their life, and are striving for balance and purpose. Stress can come from: relationships, work, finances, health, addiction, or our thoughts. Stress in one area of life can effect others. This stress can lead to anxiety, depression, anger, health problems, or addiction. Please visit my website at wholelife-counseling.co...
Kari Draeger
Tulsa
Oklahoma
Kari Draeger
Tulsa
Oklahoma
Hello! I am Kari Draeger MS, LPC, NCC. I love to work with children and teens in helping them to become more successful, and gain confidence. I believe it is important to help children and teens to be able to talk about tough emotions and feelings in a safe, empowering environment. I work with children 10 years old and older. I have over 14 years of experience working with children and parents....