What is Emotionally Focused Therapy?

Home » Treatment Therapies » Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) » Page 31

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

Hello! I am currently offering telehealth services for clients; primarily young adults and adults. I specialize in helping clients cope with and manage anxiety, depression, mood or emotional dysregulation, and interpersonal or family conflict related issues. Techniques I explore include: CBT, motivational exercises, expressive based techniques, & humor! My goal in working with you is to establi...
TELEHEALTH/VIdeoconferencing/phone. Is your marriage in crisis or ongoing unresolved issues? Blended family issues? Online therapy brings therapy to your home- private and confidential. We all experience times in our life when we need someone who will listen when we are in pain and confused. Pressures on marriage and families are harder than ever. Mental health issues complicate life. The famil...

Stacy Williams

Boise

Idaho

You want to be liked and feel like you truly belong. But, you struggle to build true connections with people. Daily worries, perfectionism, and critical thoughts about yourself keep you from opening up to others. You feel like you can't be yourself, so instead, you try to be the person you feel expected to be. I understand the pressure you are under to be perfect in today's society. Most of us...
In this fast-paced world we live in, it can be difficult to make time to take care of ourselves. Therapy provides the time and space to care for your emotional and spiritual needs. There can be many benefits to therapy, including increased self-awareness, healthier relationships, better coping skills, and an improved sense of well-being. As a counselor, I strive to provide my clients with a saf...

Jill Thompson

Chicago

Illinois

I specialize in helping women from adolescence on to navigate the many transitions and challenges we face throughout our lives. Issues surrounding self-esteem and self-worth, anxiety and depression, relationships and friendships, marriage and divorce, fertility and motherhood, postnatal mood disorders, work-life balance, stress management, and grief and loss can all be addressed in a safe,...
I am passionate about working with individuals from all walks of life and helping them along their journey with compassion and acceptance. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma, sexual abuse, substance abuse, developmental trauma, borderline personality disorder, and grief and loss. I am also experienced and passionate about working with the LGBTQ+ community and providing a...
As a therapist I work with an individuals unique life experiences to help heal and grow from these struggles. My experiences as a mental health professional are diverse and unique. Working with individuals that have survived trauma or struggle with thoughts or feelings, that many feel, there is no way out of. I've been blessed to be trained and work with some amazing people in a range of...
I'm a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in working with adolescents, adults, and couples in southern Westchester. I work with each client and/or couple to develop healthy goals to support positive change, and to find a new, and more effective, way of looking at themselves and their relationships. To reach that end, I utilize an integrated approach of insight oriented psychotherapy wit...
My ideal client is any individual or couple that is ready to actively do the work to adjust and rearrange their personal habits in order to more productively move forward in their lives. No matter the issue, counseling is built on the idea that the client is in charge of the progress by dictating the amount of energy and effort they put into the process. Showing someone possible paths is useles...
*I am currently accepting new clients for online, telehealth counseling! I believe that no one is immune to pain and difficult times as we go through life and that all can find healing and acceptance. It is my intention to provide a warm, compassionate and safe space for all who work with me to explore and heal. I enjoy working with adults, young adults and adolescents with a variety of mental...

Kirsten Pett

Billings

Montana

You are the only expert in *your* life. As Carl Rogers did, I believe that all people have the ability to bring about meaningful change in their lives, and a my role is to guide you to a greater understanding of that power, while gaining new, positive skills. Level UP! I continually strive to demonstrate empathy and unconditional positive regard. Life is hard enough as it is - getting help...

Hannah Strom

Durham

North Carolina

In the past few months, our society has gone through a dramatic shift. You might be worried about finances, your health, and the safety of your loved ones. The stress of a global pandemic may have altered your relationship or work/life balance. No matter what you’re experiencing, I will listen to your story with empathy and compassion. In this difficult time, therapy can be a way to create...

Latalia White

Colorado Springs

Colorado

I use an integrative and systemic framework in my therapy with a client-centered, strengths-based focus. I draw from a variety of methodologies and empirically-supported treatments to help each client system meet their needs and goals. I strive to provide a warm, empathetic, and nonjudgmental therapeutic environment, and I believe that change in therapy comes once a supportive client-therapist...
Everyone could benefit from therapy at some point in their life. After all, life - while incredibly amazing - can also include hardship, sorrow and deep suffering. We all experience loss, encounter challenges, and we all are privy to the brokenness of our culture that results in carrying a variety of misguided and limiting beliefs that can affect our relationship with our Self, with others, and...
In today's world we are faced with many troubles and hard times. It can be difficult coping, causing one to need someone to talk to about their stresses and hardships. We at Counseling On The Hill (COTH) understand the needs of people in today's society. We care and understand all the tribulations that are difficult to cope with that befall us all. We are here to help!!! We have License...