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 am a licensed clinical psychologist providing scientifically-based individual counseling and psychotherapy for adults, with a special focus on mental health for young professionals. For many people, fast-paced San Francisco and different aspects of life (e.g., careers, relationships) can accumulate to cause stress. This can lead to anxiety, depression, feeling "stuck," and other painful...
I love what I do and have been in the mental health field for 15 years. Your story is beautiful and unique. It shows how you got to where you are, your strengths, what you have endured/overcome and I would love to hear it. I will guide you to unlearn negative thought patterns and behavioral reactions, gain self acceptance, and to communicate thoughts and feelings more effectively to encourage...
Making a decision to begin counseling can be an intimidating undertaking, so I am passionate about providing a safe and supportive environment for all who come to see me. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and National Certified Counselor. I have experience working with individuals who are struggling with diverse challenges, ranging from...
Co-Founder of Maxant & Curtis Mental Health. Finding a therapist is about the "match" as much as about the skill and experience of the clinician. I find that clients who feel the "match" with my work are looking for a practical dialogue about active problem solving, as well as feelings of trust and connection. The journey to find a matching therapist can be frustrating, and I work with clients ...
Integrative Healthcare Center—for mental health and behavioral health. We offer licensed therapists, prescription management, psychiatry, autism care, and more. Integrative medicine, as defined by the U.S. Government’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, explores many treatment avenues, working with patients to heal the whole person, not just one organ system. Integrative...
I have been practicing psychotherapy with adults, adolescents, and children for over 30 years. I am licensed as a Psychoanalyst and Creative Arts Therapist, as well as having certifications as a Child Life Specialist and Sandplay Practitioner. My practice is rooted in building a compassionate and collaborative relationship with my clients while providing a safe space for sharing and working...
I engage and pursue working with individuals, couples, specifically children, parents and families. I provide in-office (extended weekday and weekend hours available) outpatient therapy with a primary focus on trauma related and crisis intervention services to multi-stress, high-need individuals, couples and families as well as working with children with special needs and children with behavior...
Are you feeling that you are just not living your best life? Are you struggling to find contentment and joy in your life even though to the outside world, your life looks good? Do you sometimes questioned why your inner voice doesn't always show up when you need it? My ideal clients are those who know that they are not living their most authentic lives, who are ready to make change, but just ne...
A native of Illinois, I moved to Reno after 35 years in Southern California. I love the change of seasons and the strong sense of community. I love the fact that the people here are very welcoming and friendly. As the city grows, so does the need for experienced mental health providers. I received my undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois, Urbana and went to California State...
Are you struggling with some aspect of your life? You are not alone. We all experience times in our lives where we feel stuck, lost, or challenged, but there is hope. I provide a safe, unconditionally accepting, warm and caring environment where we will work together to bring healing to what troubles you. I value and respect each persons individuality, and my goal is to help you to find your wa...
By adulthood, we operate on beliefs based on what we learned in childhood from out parents, siblings, friends, teachers. Our way of interacting with others may have worked then, but now don't seem to be effective, or working against us. This can lead to depression, anxiety, anger, frustration and loss of vitality. Address the patterns and beliefs that now lead to conflict with others or yoursel...
As an affirming provider for LGBTQ, transgender and gender expansive clients, my practice centers around supporting this community. If you want to explore your gender identity and/or sexuality, overcome anxiety and panic attacks, or work through relationship stress or I can help you. If you are seeking a secular, gender affirming therapist to walk with you through your gender transition, I can...
As a counselor I have the honor of offering hope to my clients when they may not have any for themselves. My desire is to be a resource for them in this journey of life and to be one of the avenues for God to accomplish His purposes in them. My counseling practice incorporates a distinctly Christian worldview into my methods and practices; however I do work with clients from all backgrounds. My...
I love providing hope and optimism to individuals and families by allowing them to be an active part in improving and healing their lives. It is a wonderful gift to witness a person overcoming challenges, achieving their goals, and enjoying their ability to embrace life! I specialize in therapeutic services that rebuild intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships, along with therapeutic servi...
*Openings at 60 & 90 min. sessions.* You deserve support, not suffering. I'm here for you with compassion, solidarity and hope. I support individuals, couples, and families navigating through life's traumas, transitions, stress, loss, conflict, and pain. You may be feeling overwhelmed and unsettled, recovering from a particular experience, working on connection in a relationship, or looking for...
