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 work with children, teens, adults, and families. I believe that counseling is, first and foremost, a relationship; positive change can only take place when the relationship is based upon honest and open communication, collaboration, and trust. With individuals, my goal is to help you build upon your existing coping skills, deepen your insight, and work with you to develop healthier approaches...
Jessica uses a strengths based approach and cognitive behavioral therapy to promote health and wellness on multiple levels. With over 10 years of experience supporting individuals overcoming anxiety, depression, stress, substance misuse, and trauma, she empowers individuals to refocus pain and struggle into becoming one’s optimal and healthiest self. Her goal is to help clients direct their...
Psychotherapy has the greatest impact when it is collaborative and interactive. I provide a safe, supportive, empowering space where, together, we can explore and untangle those elements of life that challenge you. Some of the goals of our work together will include: managing stressors, breaking old patterns, setting healthy boundaries, and weathering the upsets of life through self-care,...
Life is a beautiful, messy and often stressful gift. I work with clients to empower them to find their inner strength and often times find 'themselves' again. I utilize an interactive approach that allows clients to be an equal partner in the therapeutic process. I work with individuals who are struggling with depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, relationship issues, trauma and...
You can't put your finger on the exact moment that it happened. All you know that the life you are living just doesn't feel like "you" anymore. You work SO. DAMN. HARD. And you've built a beautiful life, but find yourself wondering, "why don't I feel happy?" when you see the sullen face looking back at you from the mirror. You spend hours gazing at the ceiling late at night, and person sleeping...
At Sagestone, we respect and acknowledge the vital aspects of your life and take a "whole you" approach. We use empathy, compassion, and curiosity to better understand you and your needs. We listen. We share our experience, "know how", and provide thought-provoking, substantive, and practical process. We provide support that fosters safety, curiosity, and growth. We meet you where you are, in t...
I typically help clients experiencing relationship issues, life transitions, and identity development concerns build upon their personal strengths to better encounter life's obstacles. Through therapy, my clients experience growth and empowerment through a safe and confidential relationship. My practice will help you gain direction, insight, personal and relational healing, and coping skills to...
The key to living a happy, healthy and whole life is having the ability to identify, process and replace the negative thoughts and behaviors that hinder one from achieving their ideal self. As a psychotherapist, my goal is to help each patient become more self aware so that their emotional/mental self and physical self are aligned. Together we will discuss a treatment plan that will help to...
I became interested in helping individuals and families attain their dreams at a very early age. In my therapy, I accept and appreciate your uniqueness and am personally encouraged by the discoveries you make during your time in therapy. I provide compassion, empathy, and a down-to-earth approach to ease any discomfort you may have about therapy. Through our work together, I become sensitive to...
We were not created to navigate life's challenges on our own. Often times we need others in these periods in our lives. It is my honor to walk with people during these difficult periods of life and help guide them towards healing. As the counselor for Northshore Family Counseling, I aim to see restoration for people in their relationships with God, themselves, and others. I have worked with...
I view therapy as a place to safely tell your story. Each story is unique and is comprised of its own set of characters and settings. It is my privilege to explore your narrative and to bare witness to the obstacles of the past, the trials of today, and the triumphs of tomorrow. I also hope to join you in your attempt to write each new exciting chapter of your life. Together we can work to crea...
No two individuals are the same & that is how I approach treatment. I make therapy fit your needs by drawing upon a variety of clinical frameworks to provide patient focused care. Therapy is about you & we focus on addressing what you want to heal. Working together, we build upon your strengths and help develop coping skills and support while working towards your goals. I have 2 decades of...
As a licensed psychotherapist, I truly believe that developing a trusting therapeutic relationship is essential to the success of therapy. I offer individual, couples, and family counseling for adults, teens, and children. If you are struggling with issues such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, poor self-image, relationship difficulty, or trauma, I can help. I offer a warm, accepting...
I'm an authentic, warm, open human being with a deep investment in helping people to figure out how to identify and work through the aspects of life that are causing you the most pain. Therapy sessions with me are collaborative and strengths-based, weaving in mindfulness as well as heartfelt doses of honesty. My role is to guide you: to ask about who you are, what you desire (or don't desire) a...
Elemental Guidance, LLC offers family, couple, individual, and group therapy/counseling services in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawai'i. Services are provided by local Marriage & Family Therapists who understand how to help you move through depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, infidelity, parenting, and more. Call today to start living the life you've imagined! Whether a family, couple, groups...
