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
As a School Psychologist/Licensed Psycho-Educational Specialist I have extensive training and experience working with children and adolescents that struggle with learning, emotion, and social skills. Early identification and remediation of lagging skills are associated with greater academic success, improved interpersonal relationships, higher earnings, greater employment stability, and lower...
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I practice a holistic approach to therapy where you and I work together to help you as a whole person, not just one concern. I believe in reinforcing what strengths you already have while challenging which patterns slow down or stop progress or growth. There's no "right or wrong, good or bad" in addressing concerns. There's what works and what doesn't. Together, we can find what works to do mor...
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I provide a safe, nonjudgmental, and compassionate space for you to explore your concerns and vulnerabilities. My passion is helping to nurture hope and recovery in the lives of my clients through supporting healthy behavior changes and emotional healing. My therapy style is warm, genuine, solution-focused, and collaborative. I use an evidence-based, integrative approach to psychotherapy,...
I specialize in women's & teen girls' (age 15+) mental health wellness helping them move beyond anxiety, depression, trauma, low self esteem &other struggles to find happy, hope-filled, healthy lives. Sadness and fear don't have to be daily emotions. It's tiring, lonely, frustrating, terrifying & even heartbreaking to think this is your life. It's not what you hoped it would be - it's not what ...
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I am a licensed psychologist based in Phoenix, AZ specializing in issues affecting men and the LGBTQ+ community. My research focuses on strategies targeted to resolve issues related to intimacy, sexuality, communication, anxiety, and trauma. What makes a good partner, husband, son, father? Am I a poor communicator? What is healthy sexuality? Is this addictive or unhealthy? Is what happened...
Greetings! I commend you for making a decision to seek counseling and guidance at this time in your life journey. It is my great pleasure to offer you such support and guidance at this time. I'm a licensed mental health professional practicing in Bay Area for almost two decades. I work out of my Fremont office and my experience encompasses working with diverse ethnic groups on various issues an...
