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
Trained complex trauma, EMDR, and relationship therapist. Reconnecting, repairing, and revitalizing individuals, couples, and families is the goal of therapy. By providing a safe place for individuals and couples they are allowed the opportunity to be vulnerable and to work through the ugly issues and their side effects with professional help. Goals are set in place along with the development o...
If you are struggling with anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, issues that keep rearing their ugly head from childhood or possibly past abuse or neglect, you have come to the right place. My role is to establish a partnership with you, one that gives you the support and coping skills necessary for you to step into your own power. Together, we will identify the tools needed to guide you along your...
We treat the whole person! Foundations' mental health counselors are known for their excellence in therapy outcomes, caring and joyful nature, and leadership in therapy approaches. We offer an array of mental health and addiction services using evidence-based and integrated therapy approaches for children, teens, adults, and families. We are proud to be accredited by the Solihten Institute, and...
I work with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. We all have what it takes inside to make it over life's hurdles. But sometimes we need a helping hand. I am here to give you the support and skills you need to overcome the difficulties you face. I understand that looking for a therapist is a vulnerable experience. Be assured that I will see you as a person rather than a diagnosis. I belie...
Sleepless nights. The shear sense of panic coursing through your veins as you lay awake at 3am dreading the day ahead. You are already ready going on little to no sleep, the cycle just doesn’t seem to end. Despair creeps in and the thoughts and worry get more pronounced; you are literally paralyzed. Am I supposed to feel this way?Will the cycle never end? Will I ever feel like myself again? On ...
I help couples and individuals overcome personal and relational dynamics that interfere with personal fulfillment. I focus on identifying and utilizing strengths while teaching skills that foster self-reliance and interdependence. My most successful clients are motivated to change, have the capacity for insight, and the desire to take charge of their lives. They are willing take risks to achiev...
I work with children, teens, and adults who are experiencing mental health issues as a result of relationship difficulties or life transitions. I specialize in working with young girls, teens preparing for college, and the twenty-something's navigating adulthood. Change is inevitable and I believe that talking through what is happening can provide an individual with a higher level of clarity an...
My goal is to create a safe space that is accepting and empowering. I am understanding and provide honesty and hope for my clients. I believe it takes a tremendous amount of courage to begin a journey of personal growth. I see my role as a process facilitator. I utilize my experience, skills, and training to help my clients resolve problems, improve relationships and gain useful life tools. I...
Greetings and welcome. I'm Dr. Karen Beth Acheson, Ph.D., and I have over 20 years of experience bringing warmth, compassion, and a sense of humor to help empower people to make healthy changes in their lives. My primary focus is adult psychotherapy. My style is down-to-earth; I draw from humanistic, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral & mindfulness-based therapies. My specialty areas include:...
Everyone is different and everyone has different needs. With over twenty years of mental health experience, I seek to offer insight, support, and alliance with you as we explore what brings you to therapy and help you find your own answers. With a balance of straight forward observation and compassion, our work together is a collaborative effort to help you gain a sense of control over the...
Life is hard enough under normal circumstances, but especially so when we experience emotional pain stemming from unresolved issues from our past. Profound sadness, loneliness, isolation, alienation, anger, shame, and feeling misunderstood, abused, or neglected are some of the common distress signals that bring people into therapy. It can make all the difference to talk about whatever difficult...
I love what I do and I want to help you feel better! My approach is genuine, compassionate and built on creating a safe, trusting environment. Specializing in working with adolescents, adults and in women's mental health, I have a particular instinct for working with Autism/Asperger's Disorder, ADHD, behavioral challenges and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and OCD. If you've...
We go through many different phases in life as we grow and experience our own personal journey. Our Journey is unique to us and sometimes we struggle to move forward with our decisions, our choices and our balance with happiness and fulfillment. Whether you are seeking help for yourself, your child, or your family, we can come up with viable solutions together to let you enjoy the quality of yo...
I believe in a collaborative, holistic approach to counseling. My passion is to provide a place for healing, learning, and understanding. I help my clients, who include teens and adults, to find personal strength while building healthy self-perceptions. My experience includes helping clients heal from childhood or adult trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, loss, and issues with assertiveness...
I work with individuals from young adulthood through older age, and couples have been a specialty for more than 25 years. Life events and experiences can cause stress, confusion, grief, and myriad other feelings which, when internalized, result in anxiety and depression. Whether seeing couples or individuals, I have found that a combination of insight and understanding, attention to feelings, a...
