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
Welcome! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor for Stillwater residents and the surrounding cities. I have been in private practice four years working alongside individuals, families, and couples to help manage a broad range of mental health problems including trauma related disorders, depression, anxiety, attention-deficit, grief, self-esteem, and infidelity. I work with both children (ages 5...
I work to help people navigate their complex worlds in order to live a healthier, happier life. I believe that all components of one's life are interrelated. Stress, crisis, life changes and uncertainty happen to everyone, often without warning. When crisis or chaos strike, it is comforting to have someone listen in a safe, open, non-judgmental space in which you can uncover the inner strengths...
I have been counseling individuals, couples, and families since 1997. I am honored to be the Managing Partner of Professional Counseling Associates in Scottsdale and Mesa, and the Founder of Lifetime Marriage, LLC. My counseling team and I work to provide compassionate, professional, and accurate care for people in need of help. My specialties include Pre-marriage and Marriage Counseling, Marri...
My passion and focus is working with adults, adolescents, and families experiencing distress in their relationships and/or symptoms of depression and anxiety. I approach my work with clients from a place of genuine curiosity and understanding. I aim to provide a safe space where we can discuss the challenges getting in the way of achieving your goals and create a sustainable support system for...
Hello and congratulations on taking a positive step towards your healing and/or personal growth by exploring counseling! I am a licensed clinical professional counselor who is passionate about collaborating with individuals to create fulfilling lives for themselves. Establishing a warm connection that supports and encourages clients is important to me, and I help provide tangible tools for the...
I believe that deep down we all make sense, and that while life can feel overwhelming and our problems too great to solve, real change is possible. My therapeutic process integrates strength-based modalities that are tailored to the unique needs of each client and centers on identifying our untapped sources of strength and resilience to break through doubt, shame and fear. With care and curiosi...
Winnicott wrote, "Feeling real is more than existing; it is finding a way to exist as oneself." It is my hope that through the process of therapy, you'll come to know and develop yourself in ways that are life affirming. I am a clinical psychologist, providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and groups. My approach is collaborative, and together we'll uncover new perspectives for...
For more than two decades, I have made a commitment in the professional realm to understand the human condition. What I have learned is that we are unique yet unifying and vast yet reachable. It is my passion to take a journey with you and learn about what makes you who you are and how this interplays with the world and relationships around you. Everyone has a story. If you don't know yours, th...
Therapy is about uncovering patterns that restrict emotions, thoughts, experience, and behavior. I see a variety of clients, from tech leaders to stay at home parents. The client feedback I receive is that I am especially helpful at relationships, career related issues, grief and loss, perfectionism, and self esteem. I have been in private practice for 20 years, and I am the onsite therapist at...
**I am not taking new clients at this time.** By providing my clients with a supportive environment, I will help you explore your current thought processes and behaviors that impact your daily living, goals and overall well-being. Through a cognitive behavioral approach, I will assist my clients through self discovery and coping skills development. This type of focus will help clients better...
What's keeping you up at night? Worrying excessively? Unable to just "shake it off" and "just deal with it"? You've come to the right place and Thank you for stopping by! I am a Licensed Social Worker in PA with over a decade of experience working with adults, college students, behavioral health professionals and treatment providers. I am empathetic, relatable, honest, and believe in the power ...
Through play and music therapy, we can devise plans, which help one find their calm, and recognize worn patterns, allowing one to initiate positive change. Play and music therapy works whether you are young, transitional age, or a mature adult finding your way through changes in life. Music therapy has positive impacts reconnecting our mind, and emotions to our body through the discovery of...
There is a difference between counseling and effective therapy through which permanent change happens. What is that difference? Part of the collective human experience is having core beliefs or innate sense that we are not good enough. Throughout our lives we reenact situations in which our core beliefs is reactivated and enforced. And, at some point in our lives, what we are doing just isn't...
Feelings are healthy and express the meaning in our lives but when they become severe or we feel it’s hard to get through the day- support is needed! If you are anxious, depressed, avoiding change or grieving... I can help you cope and stabilize! I see each person and couple through the lens of wholeness and understand how experience can create dysfunction in our lives and relationships. Using ...
You are taking a great first step in health and healing! My therapeutic philosophy focuses on how current issues are being affected by past events, traumas, and family interactions. I am trained in various therapy models and family life education techniques to empower clients with abilities to cope with trials of life and relationships, and to thrive. I am formally trained in Emotionally Focuse...
