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 believe that most of us just want to be heard and accepted – just as we are in the most authentic form, but feel trapped by frustration, anxiety, depression, doubt, inner-critic, societal expectations, or fear. And there is so much healing that takes place when they start to explore and face head-on the difficult stuff they have been carrying with them for most of their lives. So I strive to...
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Everyone feels anxious, stressed or disconnected at times. Sometimes past hurt or self-judgment interfere with enjoying the present. Many of us experience challenges with relationships or intimacy at some point in our lives. Some of us experience lingering effects of inconsistent caregivers, upheaval, or trauma. I offer a safe place to explore. I offer tools to help track your experience and bu...
It can take great courage to get uncomfortable and come to therapy. As a yoga instructor and counselor, I am often asking my students to acknowledge any uncomfortable feelings that come up in a posture, so that they might gain a better understanding of them and begin to push past it. I ask them to stay mindful of any negative thoughts going on their head and if they can instead focus on their...
The clients I enjoy working with most are the ones who feel like they keep going in circles and aren't getting anywhere. I enjoy working with clients who are unsure about going to therapy, or who haven't had the best experiences in the past. Maybe they're nervous I'll side with their spouse. Maybe they're worried all we'll do is talk about what's wrong. I get how uncomfortable coming into thera...
I have a passion to help others create powerful relationships FIRST with themselves and then with others. One of the biggest blocks that causes stress, anxiety, depression, & health issues is the constant head trash in your mind. I help others learn to release it & live a peaceful life. I believe that every area of life can be impacted by it. I help others let go of a scarcity mindset , underst...
I am passionate about working with individuals seeking healing from trauma, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. Additionally, I am equally passionate about exploring how culture and ethnic identity play a role within the different facets of your life. It is my belief that through compassion, non-judgment, education, and advocacy that individuals can gain emotional healing and freedom. I...
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When describing my work as a therapist, I often say that therapy is the art of having awkward conversations. The things that come up during therapy sessions aren’t often broached around the dinner table or at social gatherings, so talking about them can feel overwhelmingly weird. No one wakes up in the morning and says, "Hmm. You know what I'd like to do today? Spend an hour talking to a strang...
“No mud, no lotus” Have you felt like you’ve been stuck in the mud, unable to find sunshine in your life? Join me to experience the powerful progress you can make with a collaborative healing team designed to help you find peace & joy. I’m Laurie Cape, a passionate, experienced counselor, coach, educator, & consultant, devoted to partnering with clients towards healing and growth. I offer an...
I am a certified Yoga Therapist and mental health clinician with over 25 years experience treating children, adolescents and their families. I believe in the mind/body connection as well as 'talk therapy,' to address the whole person, offering simple tools to increase coping skills so you can regulate emotions and become aware of triggers. I specialize in helping you with trauma recovery, anxie...
Finding the right therapist for you is a primary factor in whether or not your therapy will be successful. I believe in creating a relaxed, non-judgmental atmosphere where people feel safe to explore painful feelings and negative thoughts/behaviors. My approach includes a balance of support and challenge. My goal is to bring warmth, humor, and an interactive style to our sessions. I do not beli...
Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, I have witnessed a lot that has helped me as a psychologist. I am experienced with working with children who have trauma and/or behavioral issues and adults who have mental health issues ranging from minimal stress to schizophrenia. I have worked with families that are dealing with infertility, infidelity, and separation. I am also a certified school...
ANXIETY is one of the most common reasons people seek counseling. Do you feel on-edge or restless? Do worries and fears keep you up at night as your mind wrestles with the unknown? Do you experience bodily aches, nausea, pain or tension in response to stressors? These are symptoms of anxiety. Helping clients overcome feelings of anxiety is the focus of my practice. As a Certified Clinical Anxie...
I want you to take a second and think about what is holding you back in your life. Now imagine the person or potential you could have if those things ceased to exist. My goal in our therapeutic journey is to find collaborative ways for you to excel in your hardships, find effective ways to cope, or implementing problem solving skills. No one deserves suffering or unhappiness! Let's work togethe...
