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
Unfortunately we live in a hectic and fast paced world. At times things can be overwhelming, often feeling negative and hopeless that change will ever occur. I have worked with clients struggling with depression, social anxiety, mood disorders and self-esteem issues sort out their own darkest and deepest moments. We all have bridges to cross and at times reaching out to a health care profession...
I am passionate about helping people find the answers within themselves to overcome any hurdles they may be facing in their lives. I believe all people carry within themselves an invincible summer, as well as the solutions to the problems in their lives, and my goal is to assist you in shining the light on areas you would like to work on. I specialize in working with trauma (PTSD), relationship...
You are courageous to take the first step toward healing! It is my goal to assist, guide and support my client onward through the Ups, and the Downs that life brings. Lets be open to discover new paths of healing from various issues such as trauma and loss, anxiety and depression, couple and family conflicts and much more. I aspire to create, and maintain a safe space that nurtures the mutual...
Happy NEW YEAR! I do ONLINE SESSIONS. Quit smoking - easy and without gaining weight. 1-2 sessions. I believe that if you change your thoughts, you can change anything in your life! Your history is never your destiny. With more than 35 years of experience in the field, I have treated people with all kinds of issues. My experience includes owning and running a drug and alcohol treatment facility...
Is it difficult to trust others or your partner? Do you find yourself avoiding people or lacking energy to do the things you enjoy? Would you like a better relationship with yourself and others? I am cisgender LGBTQ affirmative therapist, my goal is to provide a sex positive environment for you to be authentically who you are, without judgment. During short term treatment I will provide you wit...
What do you struggle with regularly? Are you stuck? Do you feel out of control? By creating a safe and non-judgmental environment, I can help you make sense of your story and together, we can author a new version that leads you down a better path. I offer counseling for the individual, married couple, and pre-marital couples (using SYMBIS). It is my goal to stabilize, strengthen, and facilitate...
As a mother, grandmother, teacher and former family and divorce mediator, I am sensitive to finding the right words to soothe, comfort and connect with others so that each person feels heard, understood and valued. In therapy I will help you recognize, accept, investigate and nurture your feelings. From this connected place your interactions with others will reflect your heart instead of your...
I work with individuals, couples and families. With my family systems approach, each person plays an integral role to the health of the whole system/family. My work with struggling couples is to foster hope when it has been lost. I collaborate with parents, their children and teens to address and resolve behavioral issues and developmental challenges. If you struggle with anxiety, grief or...
I have 23 years of experience working with both couples and individual adults in psychotherapy. I have completed the advanced program in Emotionally Focused Therapy (an evidence-based, empirically-validated approach to couples therapy) and while earning my Master's degree from the University of Michigan School of Social Work, received specialized training in couples therapy (Master's and...
Seasoned therapist. Specializing in addiction concerns, relationship struggles and individual therapy. Eclectic practitioner who will meet you where you are and assist in your efforts at finding peace of mind and relief from your inner demons. Will see individuals, couples and families. I have the unique ability to connect with and understand what is needed. Referrals made when needed. Work...
Let's face it life is not always rainbows and sunshine. Are you stressed, sad, or overwhelmed? Is your tween or teen having problems at home or school? Family impacted by grief? Past traumas rearing their ugly head. My main goal is to provide you with a safe environment to work through life's challenges. I would love to help you find and grow your hope. I'm available for day and evening...
Wherever you are on life's journey, and whatever feelings or behaviors you feel stuck in, you are welcome here. ALL parts of you are welcome here, exactly as you are. I'm a licensed psychotherapist that uses an integrative approach to focus on your current concerns and goals using the relationship between the mind, body, and spirit. My goal is to establish a warm, supportive, authentic environm...
I am a Registered Psychotherapist, and a Certified Missional Coach. I have extensive coaching and counseling experience with couples and individuals of all ages, sexes, gender identities, and sexual preferences. Before I started working in mental health full time in 2017, I was board ordained as a Pastor in 2012, and gained certification as a Missional Coach from Multiply Vineyard and Logan...
Hi! I am Nirmeen Valiani, Houston's "Mindful Therapist." My practice motto is, "No issue is too small to be heard." I work with highly driven individuals that value growth and are struggling to keep a work-life balance in today's fast paced world. I specialize in high functioning anxiety (perfectionism, social skills, performance anxiety, guilt/shame, parenting challenges, self criticism,...
