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
My passion is people. Whether you need a listening ear to process feelings, a helping hand to navigate life transitions or interpersonal relationships, or education on managing chronic mental conditions (or anything in between!) I'm here to help. With over 18 years of experience and being CBT Certified, I use DBT-informed CBT techniques, combined with the healing affects of a positive, supporti...
effectivecounseling.org **Call today - same day appointments are available** Start living your best life today! Offering brief effective counseling solutions to get you and your family the life that you want. Utilizing evidence based practices that are clinically proven to effectively treat anxiety, depression, social problems, family distress, and behavioral issues. Excelling in providing...
Update: Currently my caseload is full. I will be taking new clients in February of 2021.... Good work seeking support! Life CAN get better and I would love to help you reset on your path. In my individual sessions I strive to help my clients feel understood and motivated to live their best life. As a well practiced couples therapist, I enjoy supporting people reconnect with one another and...
Do you feel constricted or overwhelmed by unmanageable feelings or thrown off course by difficult life events? Perhaps you have noticed that the same relational patterns keep reoccurring in your life; whether it is in intimate, family, professional, or friend relationships, you find yourself acting out the same dance of dynamics and re-experiencing the same unfulfilling self-concept. In this...
Hello. I specialize in depression, anxiety, and trauma-focused therapy. My therapy approaches include person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). I hold a master's degree in clinical mental health. I have experience working with adult individuals who've gone through the judicial system, and individuals with severe,...
Hello! I'm Colin, a licensed psychologist serving Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, and the surrounding areas. I have over ten years of experience treating depression, anxiety, and a wide variety of other concerns, and currently provide individual counseling to adults aged eighteen and older. I firmly believe that relationships are central to our well-being and am passionate about helping others ...
I specialize in parent consultation and coaching, as well as working with families, adolescents, adults whose lives have been impacted by trauma. My primary focus is to help parents of children of all ages who are struggling with the parent/child relationship, as well as helping parents handle behaviors whether they are developmental, impacted by early childhood trauma, and/or other stressors. ...
“The person is not the problem, the problem is the problem.” At times you may feel bogged down by problems like stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, or relationship issues. You are not alone in feeling like these problems have become a part of your identity or your relationships. Whether you are struggling with life transitions such as graduating college or getting a divorce, or you fe...
You want inspiration to pursue what matters, and less anxiety about what doesn’t. You want to stop apologizing for what makes you you, and to speak aloud the fears, fantasies and experiences that have previously been silenced. You want to revel in yourself—maybe for the very first time. Or you know your relationship is on the rocks, but you aren’t sure where to begin. You think you might need...
Life can be full of obstacles, large and small. Often, we are able to navigate them well and move on. Other times, however, we can get caught up in them, knocked off course, and stuck. It is in these times that therapy can be especially helpful in adjusting thinking, learning new skills, and managing intense emotions. Gaining insight is powerful and often the first step to lasting change. My id...
Have you ever felt as if your life has been or is being turned upside down? You may feel lost, broken and alone. It is not uncommon to feel sadness and disconnection. My passion is bringing healing to individuals who are experiencing some type of emotional distress. Counseling can seem intimidating and the decision to seek counseling is a courageous one. I believe that a strong therapeutic...
My passion for working with parents, with an emphasis on the transition to parenthood, grew from my own personal experiences as a mother and my professional experiences working with parents in this raw stage. Parenthood can fill us with joy and hope, and it can bring us to our knees in ways we never imagined. It’s my belief that we can lean into the hard parts of parenting, that having a safe...
I earned my Master's in Counseling from Biblical Theological Seminary in 2008. I help clients with relationship challenges, young adult related challenges, parenting, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, divorce recovery, domestic violence, trauma, and ADHD. I also specialize in issues related to parenting a child with special needs. When the client desires Christian based counseling, I offer...
Are you feeling stressed out about life, anxious about the unknown or feeling down about yourself, your job or your significant other especially when it comes to communication. Do not hesitate to reach out for some assistance. Talking it out or even playing it out is the best solution. I provide services to educate & bring out the best in Adults, Children, Families, Military, Veterans, Police &...
My background includes working with children, adolescents, adults and their families. I have treated issues ranging from ADHD, anxiety, depression, and trauma, to relationship and school difficulties. I also find joy in teaching parents new techniques to use with their children and helping to break down the walls that often get in the way of quality relationships. I assist families in finding...
