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
Rebecca Lepoff is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years' experience in mental health, substance abuse and weight/food issues. She creates a welcoming, supportive, and safe atmosphere for clients to feel comfortable enough to work on their issues. She believes strongly in starting where the client is, and helping them to identify their issues. She uses a strength-based approach to...
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I am a mental health therapist, specializing in working with youth and young adults who experience anxiety and mood disorders. I have been working as a mental health therapist in private practice for 8 years. I also have been a school social worker for 24 years, thus have experience in both the clinical and school setting. I believe in working from a strengths perspective, building on the asset...
ONLINE THERAPY ONLY. Are you feeling disconnected from your partner or family? Are you noticing the same pattern of negative communication happening over and over again? Do these negative patterns feel stuck no matter what you do? Do you long to feel connected again? Do you wish you could resolve these patterns for good? Being close to your partner or family is what we all want and need. I work...
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I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, specializing in the treatment of children, adolescents and families. I practice from a person centered approach, with the goal of creating safety, connection and healing with you and your family. My experience and passion is in helping those who experience trauma, depression, anxiety, emotional disturbance and family discord. Seeking help takes...
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Therapy is an opportunity to be heard and validated, to gain insight into present-day issues, and build upon your personal strengths. Our sessions will help you feel more in-tune with yourself, to recognize and express your emotions, and to improve relationships. I work with people experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues and major life changes. We can work together to overc...
Engaging in counseling demonstrates that you are willing to face the issues that most people bury or cover up. You are not wiling to settle for Band-Aid or drive through solutions. You want to address whatever it is that is hurting you and keeping you from the life that you want to live. I have over 22 years of experience and licensure in MT & WY. My career has been dedicated to working with...
When you can't look on the bright side, I will sit with you in the dark. I'm Katie and I look forward to talking with you. Life can be difficult. Sometimes we need the help of others who have walked through difficult things themselves and have walked this journey with others. Counselors can fill this role, and this is exactly my goal in my chosen profession. I am an expert in how to Live Well...
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As a Certified Consultant of The Association For Applied Sport Psychology, my ideal client is the athlete looking to reduce performance anxiety, improve concentration, learn how to effectively set both short-term and long-term goals, increase/maintain motivation, build self-confidence, recover from injury and/or add more effective pre-training and pre-competition routines. I work with athletes ...
