What is Emotionally Focused Therapy?

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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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

Sara Lewis

Boulder

Colorado

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Samantha Elkrief

New York

New York

Samantha is an action-oriented, experientially focused supportive psychotherapist. She has trained in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Internal Family Systems, Non-Violent Communication and incorporates various mind-body practices into her clinical work. Samantha is also a health coach and chef, and has training in Nutritional Psychiatry (how food impacts...
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Murriel A Schulte

Austin

Texas

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Patrick Thomas Byrnes

Chicago

Illinois

I help people struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, relationship problems, family conflict, identity concerns, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. I believe that lasting change only happens when people feel they're talking to a real person who understands the cultural complexities that make them unique. My work is collaborative and built on the trusting relationships I take time to develo...
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