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
I hope you can absorb and appreciate this moment. You have already made a courageous step toward taking care of you! Whether you are seeking to heal from past or present events, change behaviors, and/or cultivate personal growth - you are to be commended! On your quest, please know that I am a therapist whose sensitivity toward others derives from my perspective on life - that each person's...
I have a substantial capacity for being present with people working with extreme emotions and painful conflict and providing them with insight and compassion. Blending therapeutic approaches with mindfulness and grounding techniques, I focus on the here and now to help clients recognize and work on their patterns as they arise at the moment. My clients include adults, adolescents, and children...
It's been a rough few months for many people in Utah. If you find yourself feeling more worried or sad than usual, you're not alone. Video and in-person therapy is available during this transition time and can give you valuable tools to feel better. We can also provide support with parenting issues, and even child therapy can be done both virtually and in-person! You may be surprised at how muc...
As a practicing psychotherapist since 1992, I have the honor of assisting clients with the emotional issues that create obstacles and/or roadblocks in all areas of their lives. My compassionate and caring approach is solution-focused and action-oriented, and I believe all clients have the capacity for change within themselves. Clients willing to engage in the emotion and thought based therapeut...
Hi! I am an individual, couple, family, and sex therapist who believes the way we connect with one another is the key to understanding ourselves at a deeper level. I have worked with individuals (both children and adults), couples, and families in a variety of settings including private practice, support groups, the non-profit sector, and corrections facilities. I use an empathic, collaborative...
Dr. Nicole Bailey, LCSW, PhD (pronouns: she/they) who is a Queer/Gender-fluid person of color; Sex-Positive and Trauma- Informed trained therapist. I help individuals of the LGBTQIA+/sexuality or romantic minority communities to restore balance and reconnect to their inner strengths. My therapeutic styles are guided by a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with an integration of Afro-Spiritualit...
We have caring providers who work with children and adults through all transitional stages of life. Our providers work with anger, anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, as well as any family/marriage/couple issues. Our services are trauma-focused and providers utilize a client-centered approach. We are a trauma-focused agency with experience working with clients of all ages who have adjustment, anxi...
Bailey Kraft graduated from Purdue University with a Masters in Human Development and Family Studies with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy and is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in Illinois. She is a LGBTQ-affirmative therapist and has worked with a variety of clients including children, adolescents, families, and couples. She utilizes a solution-focused approach with ...
[Hi all! Please reach out if you're interested in being put on my waitlist for potential openings in the spring.] Change can be hard sometimes, but also rewarding and empowering. I am always honored to be a part of each client’s change process. Our collaborative work will focus on your hopes, goals, and the tools you already have to help you achieve them. We will identify unhelpful thoughts and...
Have you been feeling like you need a change in your life, but are not sure how to go about making that happen? With my emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy, the focus of my work includes life transitions, whether it is adjusting to parenthood, considering a change within the family system, or preparing for a career move. I am passionate about helping individuals identify their values so they ...
( English | español ) Eva provides holistic therapy services for PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Women's/LGBT (see list). EMDR, meditation, & Telehealth are a few modalities she may use to assist clients. English/Spanish. Humana/Self-Pay Options (Telehealth-Packages). Eva is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master's in Public Health & she has over 10 years of experience providing individuals...
Life is full of events that help shape who we are. Some events that occur in our lives leaves us feeling hurt, alone, helpless, overwhelmed and can even bring us to question who we are or what we believe in. We are often left to cope with these events on our own. Many individuals self-medicate in a variety of ways to help cope, and get through life. Though self-medication can be a temporary...
Do you tell yourself that next time will be different, only to find yourself stuck have the same difficulties again and again? Have you spent countless time and money on feeling better, but still can't make the changes you long for? Have you heard that you simply need to "have a better attitude," "think positive," or "make better choices"? Sometimes it's not that simple. That's why my approach...
I am a strength-based psychotherapist who works with individuals, children, teens and families. My work with clients strives to unlock their inner capacities for strength, self determination, health, happiness, well-being and connected relationships. I believe that this potential is within all of us and is waiting to be unlocked. Together we will explore your inner world, create understanding,...
Gemma Troy once said, "If I can survive the war that I battle with myself, I can survive anything." I truly believe that everyone can benefit from therapeutic intervention as a resource for adjusting to life's unexpected changes and personal growth. I have a passion for bringing healing to individuals who have experienced trauma or are currently facing daily struggles that seem impossible to...
