What is Emotionally Focused Therapy?

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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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

Samaria M Colbert

Greensboro

North Carolina

Kingdom Creative Counseling PLLC is a counseling private practice. Samaria M Colbert is the founder. Our primary focus is to assist children, families, individuals to overcome childhood traumas, abuse and neglect. We also address and treat a wide variety of mental health issues include, depression, anxiety, PTSD. Kingdom Creative Counseling PLLC also specifically serves ministry leaders, and...
It is my heart to help you the client, while ensuring a positive journey. Learning to cope with life stressors can be a positive or negative experience. I would be honored to assist you with developing healthy ways to aide you or your family in reaching your goals towards a fulfilling life. I am a trained Christian Counselor. If you prefer to receive Christian Counseling, I am happy to assist y...

Jeffrey Allan Browning

Nashville

Tennessee

Do you or someone you love struggle with addiction? My passion is working with individuals and families dealing with drug and alcohol abuse. Feelings of shame, anger, and confusion are common when faced with this illness. You are not alone! For the past 15 years, I have worked with the best addiction professionals in the country, and bring their collective knowledge and compassion to each...
I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor experienced working with adults of all ages. A graduate of the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, I also hold a PhD from Northwestern University in sociology and still find the sociological imagination to be a useful way to look at an individual and their environment. I have been working as a psychotherapist since 1999, working for more t...
I make every effort to meet my clients needs. I work with clients who are in crisis or who need on-going support. You will find that I am an easy person to speak with and give clients caring and creative interventions that work and are effective. If you are interested in therapy that is focused on your concerns and needs, then you will find that in my practice. I will address all of your concer...
Do you feel misunderstood or unheard in your relationship? Do discussions escalate into conflict quickly? Relationships with ourselves, our partners, and our families are lifelong journeys that require navigating peaks and valleys. Sometimes in relationships we get stuck in patterns of interaction or feeling and in our work together, we can explore your unique path and identify strengths,...

Peter Chan

San Francisco

California

I understand how important it is for my clients to feel supported and be able to address their immediate concerns as quickly and as effectively as possible. I view therapy as a collaborative process where I work with my clients to acquire the appropriate coping skills for their present difficulties while gaining the understanding and insight needed to handle future challenges. By working togeth...
Are you hurting, feeling lonely in your relationship? Is your spouse thinking of leaving you? What happened? Is communication difficult? Learn the Arvon Method to you re-create the magic in your marriage. Feel fully heard and respected. Through counseling, I can help couples who have had an affair find intimacy and create a plan to connect, feel safe, understood, and desired again. If your part...
If you are feeling stuck, unhappy,or unhealthy, I am here to help. I work with people struggling with Anxiety, Depression, trauma, abuse, grief, behavioral issues, low self-esteem, body image, relational issues, blended families, co-parenting, gender identity, sexuality, and sexual dysfunction. I utilize a body positive and sex positive lens and affirmative counseling practices with all clients...

Gilson Borges da Silva

Orlando

Florida

Gilson Da Silva is a Mental Health Counselor, fluent in English and Portuguese, who aims to assist individuals, children, couples, families and groups that might be dealing with issues affecting their mental health and well-being. Gilson adapts a partnership style, working with his clients to improve their mental health, encouraging them to discuss emotions and experiences, defining goals and...
I am not accepting new clients at this time. In life it is easy to become stuck in pockets of emotional distress and fall into patterns of behavior that block growth. I provide an empathetic and nurturing space in which to discover strengths and overcome challenges. I meet clients where they are and create a solid connection. I help them to confront their fears, work through their blockages, an...

Scott R Schneider

Cincinnati

Ohio

Are you riddled with doubt and fear - wrestling with the question "Do I have what it takes?" These doubts and fears can cause anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and more. Maybe past mistakes or events are causing issues and you just can not seem to make the changes you, or your partner, desire. There is hope. No matter what issues you are dealing with, healing is possible. There are...

Esti Marcus

Brooklyn

New York

Whether you have experienced the agony of a significant Trauma or the hidden devastation of prolonged emotional trauma, these experiences can lead to fractures in a person's sense of self, adaptive capacity and inner cohesion, often resulting in anxiety, depression, somatic disorders, self-esteem difficulties and interpersonal struggles. Using a blend of different perspectives with empathy and...
I am currently unable to take any new clients. Feel free to email me if you would like me to put you on waiting list for when I have openings. Over the past 26 years, I have worked with a broad range of people and am comfortable providing support around an extensive range of issues and emotional concerns. I am a LCSW and have a well-established practice. I have advanced experience in providing...

 

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