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
Work with adolescents and their families is where my passion lies. I understand and believe that the system a person is operating in can impact all parts of one's life experience. I believe it is important in therapy to meet you where you are at and explore where you want to go. Creating a path to becoming your most authentic self is one of the most rewarding and challenging acts you can do. I ...
Our professional group practice offers various services including professional therapy, life coaching and testing services. At The Center, we are passionate about empowering people to find pathways of growth and healing, to gain awareness/understanding of barriers and obstacles to health, to see our clients discover their God-given temperaments and to help them grow lives they love living. We...
You feel like you're not a good enough mother, but you're afraid to admit it to anyone so you're feeling more alone than you ever imagined. It wasn't supposed to be like this. How are other people doing it? You're feeling so overwhelmed you can't think straight, and can hardly handle what used to feel like the simplest of tasks... You're wondering if you'll ever get your old life back, if you'l...
Imagine if you didn't have to feel like you're going around and around the same issues with your partner or family. Imagine if you had the friendship and joy that you started out with in your relationships. It doesn't have to be a constant fight or power struggle and doesn't have to be "just okay.". It can be different. I help people find their way back to the people they love most. My clients...
Generally speaking, my clients seek my help to find their way to happier, healthier lives and often find at the conclusion of psychotherapy that they have more self-acceptance, better coping skills and have overcome the concerns for which they sought therapy. I work with both couples and adults. Couples come to me with the hope of interrupting patterns of communication that cause a negative imp...
You might be here because dealing with personal problems on your own is no longer working. Perhaps feelings of isolation, anxiety, and sadness consume you on a daily basis. Maybe your relationship with your partner is suffering tremendously and you don't know where to turn. When challenges like these arise in our lives, it can feel scary to take the steps to seek out a safe outlet for support....
I work to provide a supportive and client-centered space for individuals to share their experiences. Reaching out to a therapist can be a difficult experience and it is important to me that my clients feel comfortable and safe. I am genuinely passionate about building a healthy, nurturing, and interactive relationship with clients, which will help foster growth and change. I earned my BA from t...
Jennifer provides counseling services to adult individuals in a relaxed, non-judgmental and safe atmosphere where you can share your concerns comfortably. Her style is mostly cognitive behavioral therapy and hypnotherapy, incorporating other techniques as needed to best meet your treatment goals. She has over twenty years of experience treating depression, anxiety, and abuse- and trauma-related...
I'm so glad you're here. Finding a supportive, therapeutic home can be a difficult challenge for us as queer, transgender, and non-binary people. Therefore, I hold some values to create a safer space: you are the expert in your own lived experience; you already posses the strengths that will help you with the challenges you're facing; you deserve a place without judgement; and you are entitled ...
At the heart of my counseling philosophy is the awareness that though we are each unique, we share in this one human experience. If we open ourselves to the ongoing aid and support of this connection, we are able to heal and grow. Working from a person-centered lens, I integrate techniques and interventions to understand presenting symptoms with empathy, compassion and mindfulness. I trust that...
Do you feel like you are struggling in your everyday life? Do you struggle managing your emotions in a healthy manner? Having difficulty managing life stressors such as work, relationships, self-image, and life in general? I understand even though you may have answered yes to any of these questions above, you may still be hesitant about making changes. Change can be scary, but it can also be...
( English | español ) FEELING A LIFE HICCUP? I engage clients where they are in life. My Therapeutic Techniques help clients find benefits in their growth. I believe in educating clients to understand the value of therapy and establish a trusting connection. My clients find that the therapeutic and holistic techniques used in treatment reduce their symptoms and pursue a better quality of life. ...
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker the past 16 years, I have worked with a variety of clients including Adolescents, Adults and Emerging Adults. I enjoy working with adults most. Having worked at a CMHC the majority of my career, I gained skills in working with adults presenting with a range of concerns including trauma, mood disorders, addictions, grief, anxiety and depression as well as lif...
An ideal client is someone who is ready to put the work in to make changes for the better. If you're willing to work hard for what you want to achieve, you will accomplish your goal. My job is to help support and navigate you to that place, wherever it may be! My approach is person-centered and goal oriented. I love to work with all ages, especially young women going through adjustments or...
Kate is an LCPC who specializes in helping individuals & families deal with a multitude of emotional or behavioral issues. Specific areas include anxiety, depression, self-esteem, body image, eating disorders, relationship issues & other lifespan issues & adjustment disorders. Kate is dedicated to fostering resiliency in her clients. This is accomplished by helping individuals face the...
