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, I have spent numerous years working with individuals, couples and families ranging from preadolescence through adulthood, with a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, stress management, PTSD, ADHD, adjustment to life changes and/or medical treatments, grief and loss issues; parenting concerns; couple issues; or problems coping wi...
I have always loved helping others which has led me to pursue a career in counseling. I worked in a variety of mental health settings, including drug rehabilitation, crisis intervention, and pastoral counseling, which inspired me to get my Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling at Touro College. I did my internship under the guidance of Lana Gaiton, PhD, and upon graduation in 2015, I...
Searching for the right counselor can be exhausting! Receive personalized care & an immediate appt with a warm caring counselor. Sometimes life is hard and making sense of everything we are feeling can be completely overwhelming and confusing. At times we just need a safe, non-judgemental place to process everything we are thinking and feeling. I use practical, proven techniques that will help ...
We have been married for nearly 36 years and we are both Licensed Professional Counselors and National Certified Counselors. We have years of practical experience in couple, marriage, and family relationship that is complimented by our academic and professional credentials. Our group, Bridge-Point, was formed with the underlying principle of "striving diligently to make a difference". We strive...
Are you struggling to get your relationship out of a rut? Are you at the end of your rope? Does daily life feel overwhelming? Often, life and relationship stress can become so overwhelming that they affect our physical, emotional, and relational health. Change is hard work, but it is possible! Whether you are a couple beginning a life together, individual experiencing postpartum, or you and you...
Do you feel alone, invisible, and unimportant, like the person you love is rarely there for you emotionally: so you pursue your partner and even have occasional outbursts just to try to get through to them? Do you feel overwhelmed, like no matter what you do it is never good enough to please the person you love: so you defend yourself, shut down, or turn away in your relationship? Are you feeli...
There is always hope, no matter the situation you may find yourself in. Whether it's a difficult relationship, repetitive negative thoughts, teen issues, or feelings of depression leading you to dark places. Situations change when we learn new skills, understand how the past influences the present, or when we have a safe place to explore options. I will compassionately walk with you as you...
What if the life with our partner could be as exciting as it was when you first got together? Has your relationship been shaky? What is your relationship to yourself? What do you tell yourself when having difficult times? Are you feeling stuck? Are you and your partner arguing all the time and just can’t get on the same page? Or maybe you aren’t really in that much conflict, but you don’t feel...
I offer a place of non-judgment and support where you can take a step back to examine yourself, learn about your strengths, and work towards making empowered decisions. My treatment approach emphasizes the potential each person has within themselves to find meaning in their experience, and validation in their resiliency. I utilize nine years of clinical experience, and in-depth knowledge about...
At Clark Counseling Services, LLC we focus on creating a holistic mental health counseling experience focused on your specific needs. Clark Counseling Services, LLC focuses on challenging and changing negative self-destructive thinking and behaviors to create a positive fulfilling life. If you are experiencing Depression, Anxiety, grieving the loss of a loved one, difficulty with work and/or...
I believe that we all have things in life that we need help dealing with or working through. As a counselor I provide a safe, confidential, nonjudgmental place for people to get the help they are seeking. I use several therapeutic modalities including cognitive behavioral, EMDR, motivational interviewing, solution focused and emotional focused therapy to name a few. When working with couples I ...
Looking for more clarity in your life? Feel like you're missing something or being left behind? Tired of feeling stuck? Do you have painful unspoken memories or experiences? My hope is to help you identify your problems and assist in creating solutions. I believe in establishing a trusting relationship that creates opportunity for potential, growth and clarity around a variety of issues. I...
I offer help, through traditional 50-minute sessions as well as retreat intensives, to adults navigating anxiety, hopelessness, affair recovery, relationship repair, parenting issues, loss, and personal crisis. As a Certified Sexual Addictions Therapist Candidate, I continue to expand my training and expertise in serving individuals and families impacted by sexual addiction. See my website for...
Hello and Welcome!! I am here to listen and provide you with a comfortable and non judgmental environment where you can freely express yourself. If you are feeling overwhelmed or conflicted or don't know which direction to go in, we can work together to connect your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to bring about meaningful change toward a more fulfilling life. My approach is to work with you ...
I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT). In Michigan, I worked at an elementary school with children who had mood disorders, trauma and behavioral issues which were impacting them in school. I also worked with adults and couples who were struggling with depression, anxiety and communication barriers. In Illinois, I wor...
