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 therapy can be for anyone. I provide a judgment-free space where you can be yourself while navigating your concerns on your path to growth and change. Common issues that my clients face are overwhelming emotions, difficulty maintaining work-life balance, conflict in relationships, navigating life changes and stressors, and working through past traumas. I have a warm and direct approac...
During our lives we all experience different obstacles, relational issues, pain or grief, or some sort of life challenge; and at times we need help as we walk through that period of our lives. My mission and passion is to provide the highest quality Godly counseling and psychological services to children, teens, adults, couples, and families. I seek to provide a caring, safe, confidential, and...
Chelsea Kneip completed her education and training in clinical psychology at Michigan State University, and she has had additional training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. Chelsea works collaboratively with adults, adolescents, and couples. Her goal is to help her clients lead fulfilling and productive lives in line with their own values and goals. In developing a treatment plan, she ta...
The expectation in the counseling relationship is for honesty with a commitment of growth, healing, and self-discovery. My approach to counseling is that of person-centered and goal-oriented. My focus is to help clients determine his or her level of need and their commitment to developing the coping skills needed to improve upon their issues. I currently am a mental health and D&A counselor. My...
I am Professor of Psychology at the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Boston University where I direct the Psychotherapy and Emotion Research Laboratory, www.bostonanxiety.org. My research focuses on the mechanism of treatment change, translating discoveries from neuroscience into clinical applications, emotions, and cultural expressions of psychopathology. I was the president o...
Are you an individual, couple, or family seeking new approaches to persistent problems? Together we will work to help you consider alternatives to old habits, create new thoughts, and behaviors. This will help you clarify and achieve your goals and develop an understanding of your life circumstances through your own unique and personal context. My qualifications and 15 years of experience in...
In my years of counseling, I have learned that seeking the help of a professional is not easy but it is certainly the first step to improve one's life. I am committed to bring healing to wounded emotionally and mentally ill children, adolescents, families and adults. Let me help you develop the strength and motivation you need to face life challenges. You deserve to be happy and to achieve...
I am a child development specialist with extensive training, experience, and skill providing long-term and short-term psychotherapy for children, families, individuals, parents, and couples. My specialties include helping infants, toddlers,children, youth, parents, and adults with anxiety, depression, developmental delays, autism, behavioral difficulties, executive functioning, parenting stress...
Hi there, my name is Kannan Vinaitheerthan. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker typically practicing in Wilmette, Illinois and currently providing therapy virtually as well as outdoors weather permitting. I work with children, adolescents and adults and provide individual and family therapy. I have experience working with those who are struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship issues,...
I work with individuals who want to find healing from trauma, relationship and sexual problems, and addiction. I also use my expertise to help couples who are facing these same issues. My clients are typically stuck in behaviors and habits that feel like they help in the moment but later they recognize these behaviors take them further away from who they truly are and their values. I like helpi...
I value the importance of creating a safe, supportive and collaborative environment to help facilitate personal growth and healing from the overwhelming challenges we sometimes face in life. Pain is part of our human experience. However, suffering does not have to be. My focus is to provide my clients with practical and effective interventions that are tailored to their specific needs. My clini...
I went into the field of psychology because I love helping people transform to the best version of themselves. We all need a safe place to understand ourselves and how we relate to others. I often say "We need to be Mindful of our Total-Well Being and that our minds and our bodies are an inter-connected systems. Where the mind goes, so does the man or woman in their actions and body states. We ...
I am a licensed clinical social worker specializing in providing professional, loving care and guidance to children, teenagers, individuals and families. I have over ten years of experience helping children and adults find their inner strengths to overcome life's burdens and challenges. I specialize in child and adolescent issues such as attention-deficit disorders, anxiety, depression, behavio...
As an evaluator, I have heard many stories of evaluations gone wrong either due to an evaluator's lack of experience in a certain specialty area, or an evaluator producing a poor work product. Becoming a child custody evaluator is no easy task. There is no "formal" training and you must rely on other professionals in the field who have walked the path before you. Even then, not everything a cas...
Although we all have the ability to help ourselves, by combining a professional with your struggles, you will accentuate progress and growth. My practice covers more than just people with struggles. I welcome anyone who desires to improve their lives, increase their self-esteem or enhance their social skills as well as treating a variety of life challenges such as depression, relationship...
