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 have worked with individuals in a variety of settings since 2010. I also have worked with families in diverse cultural backgrounds such as military families, minority groups, immigrants and refugees. Most of my work focuses on helping clients find their strengths and use them to manage life stressors, anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, trauma, and acculturation. I use strengths-based...
*ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS* Welcome! Are you ready to take the next step? I applaud you as I know how hard that can be! Everyone deserves to feel safe, understood, and heard. I’ve created a space where those elements serve as a foundation for our therapeutic work and offer a comfortable place to share your story. I am a clinical psychologist and I work from a relational perspective. My style is war...
Life is sending messages from every angle that you need to be more. The more you hear it, the more your belief that you can do better fades. Each day you wake up with dreams that life will change and yet it seems each day is served up the same as yesterday. You wonder if it will ever change. It may be your marriage, your relationship with your parents, addictions that shame you, or anxiety or...
As a marriage and family therapist, I consider people’s contexts, or systems, from a smaller scale, such as family, friends, and intimate relationships, to a larger scale (sociocultural aspects) and how these factors intersect and influence your life. Even though I am specially trained in relational work (couple and family therapy), I also see clients individually. I work with various issues,...
Greetings! My name is Rob Morrison and I am a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of professional experience and training. I graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of Delaware in 1984, and from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology in 1996 with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. I am also the director of services for Blue Skies Psychological Services, P.C.; a group...
Trauma and stress are not distributed fairly among us, but they are a part of life we all have to learn to navigate. While I can't say treatment of trauma - or any successful therapy - is fun, easy, or quick, if you are looking at Psychology Today profiles you are likely considering getting support and making some changes. That is an excellent first step! If you are experiencing difficulties in...
I believe that counseling should be tailored to the individual so I strive to create a unique, safe environment for every person who comes in for help. I work with my clients to help them overcome the issues that are keeping them from moving forward in their life. I have over 10 years experience with treating clients of all ages with Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, and Panic Disord...
Whether this is your first time considering therapy or you've had experience with it in the past, finding a therapist that feels like a good fit is paramount to making progress in therapy. Maybe you've stumbled on this page because you are struggling with depression/anxiety, are experiencing relationship conflict, or perhaps you've been recommended by someone you trust. While neither of us will...
I treat a variety of presenting difficulties including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, major life changes, relationships, loss, and everyday life stressors. I am certified in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) and specialize in working with individuals who have experienced trauma. I have experience working inpatient and outpatient with children, adolescents, and adults. Treatm...
My focus is assisting clients needs by assessing them via zoom, telephone, or personal interview. My unique ability give opportunity to understand, and evaluate each client case by case. I promote mind conscious awareness tools that would enable the client to have in order to develop on a level that's conducive to what they are encountering. My technique fall under the CBT guidelines, and are...
When you reach out for help for yourself or your child, it's because of everything that's right with you. It takes bravery to seek help. My goal is to make sure that we celebrate that bravery, identify the areas of your life where you’d like to see improvements, and give you tools to improve those areas. For over 10 years, I've had the privilege of working with a variety of clients. With my...
Life does not always go the way we plan it. Sometimes life can hit hard and, at times, it can feel overwhelming. Occasionally, we may find ourselves in a challenging life transition, struggling to adjust to a new marriage or marriage difficulties, a new baby, a blended family, or an empty nest, a job promotion or loss, retirement, or the loss of a loved one. At other times in life, we may find...
Do you find yourself feeling anxious in relationships? Have you ever wondered why you keep repeating old behaviors? Are you battling internal voices that say you aren’t good enough? My practice focuses on adults dealing with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, childhood trauma, and relationship issues - including dating and negotiating forms of consensual non-monogamy. Together we learn about how...
You have the right to be seen and recognized in your grief and not judged. You deserve to have a safe space to share your innermost thoughts and feelings with a trusted partner. You are capable of deep healing, with the ability to live a life that is congruent with your integrity and values. You deserve a break, with time to breathe and deeply care for yourself. Your life, your thoughts and you...
I am energized by and find great meaning in working with those seeking to find their path through the deep, confusing, and difficult circumstances of life. I am passionate about and skilled in peacemaking and peacekeeping, whether that be with couples, families, and individuals. I am particularly interested in working with older teens and young adults regarding forming and cultivating personal...