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 believe in meeting you where you are at in life and developing a plan that is tailored to meet your specific needs. Every individual is unique and requires a different approach to reach their goals. It is my opinion that the best way to begin therapy is through empathy and a true understanding of someone's story in order to build a powerful therapeutic alliance, create trust and develop rappo...
Chicago Sex and Relationship Center / CSRC
Chicago
Illinois
Chicago Sex and Relationship Center / CSRC
Chicago
Illinois
CSRC is a collaborative of Sex Positive multicultural therapists with a range of identities and life experiences. We are experienced and trained to work with a variety of life, mental health, sexual health, and relationship issues. Working with people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Specialty issues include: Infidelity/ affairs; Poly/ open/ consensually non-monogomous...
Life has many dilemmas, but at the same time, we have the strength to thrive, when supported through an engaging, therapeutic relationship. Through collaboration and insight, I will help you develop new skills and meaningful and lasting changes to achieve your dreams and aspirations. Specialties include depression and anxiety, relationship/family conflict, suicidal thoughts and self-harm, traum...
Dr. Allan Coursol is a Licensed Psychologist who provides a comprehensive set of services designed to meet the needs of individuals with a variety mental health concerns. His area of expertise include working with children, adolescents, adults and their families to provide individual, family, marital and group psychotherapy across the lifespan. Additional services include...
Creative Expression, LLC
Phoenix
Arizona
Creative Expression, LLC
Phoenix
Arizona
At Creative Expression, I specialize in helping kids, teens, and young adults with freely and naturally expressing themselves through art and play therapy techniques. Art and play act as mirrors of what is happening internally. Play is used to explore the world and make sense of experiences that may be difficult to verbalize. Art speaks in colors, shapes, and images beyond the limitations of ou...
Jonathan Walsh
Boston
Massachusetts
Jonathan Walsh
Boston
Massachusetts
***No current openings*** Are you facing changes and feeling overwhelmed and unable to make decisions? Are difficult emotions interfering in your personal or professional life? Would you would like to develop a more flexible response to challenging people and situations? Are you beginning to recognize unhelpful or destructive repetitive patterns that are interfering in your life? Would you like...
I work primarily with couples and individuals toward creating better communication and developing coping strategies to help with stress. I offer a safe and compassionate place for people to discuss their needs and find ways to make helpful change in their lives. I see my therapeutic role as a facilitator and support toward people utilizing their strengths, as well as developing new ones. I beli...
Laura Spenrath
Charleston
South Carolina
Laura Spenrath
Charleston
South Carolina
My clinical experience began in 2012, and since then I have been working with couples, adults, and teens. What we struggle with individually also impacts those around us, especially our family. I have worked with those struggling through the separation and divorce process as well as families with co-parenting concerns post-divorce. I work with those struggling with depression or other mood...
The counseling process is about you as a whole person: your values, goals, balance, past, future, ambitions, family, relationships, career and fulfillment. It’s the opportunity to understand yourself in a productive and focused way. Through a collaborative process, I’ll meet you where you are, we'll identify what may be holding you back, and we’ll develop a plan forward. My work with tweens,...
Kaelyn Folstad is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor specializing in trauma-informed approaches to addressing child, adolescent and adult mental health. She enjoys working with a variety of individuals, couples and families utilizing an eclectic combination of interventions to best meet client needs. Kaelyn strives to come alongside clients and families to help find hope and healing...
Quite often people are reluctant to admit to having problems. Life is difficult when your problems are long lasting and impair your ability to function adequately in the world ie at work, school or in the home. Life is difficult when you can't seem to maintain satisfying, safe relationships w/others. You may feel that there's something wrong with you or that you just aren't ever going to be abl...
Jerica Hayes
Chicago
Illinois
Jerica Hayes
Chicago
Illinois
I believe that therapy can be a beautiful experience where client and practitioner walk side by side to explore and discuss how life’s issues affect you personally, professionally, in your relationships, and your view of the world. The client/therapist relationship is extremely important, and I strive to create a safe, welcoming space where clients can feel at ease and empowered to speak their...
Hsuehmei Price
San Diego
California
Hsuehmei Price
San Diego
California
( English | 中文 ) You are here because you would like someone to help you be happier and healthier. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with 15+ years of experience. My experiences include being an active duty Navy psychologist and being part of an employee assistance program. During my career, I have worked with a diverse client population, both military and civilian, on a wide range of iss...
Making the decision to begin the therapy journey can feel vulnerable and scary. Whether you feel stuck in unhelpful patterns or are seeking to make sense of your own story, therapy can be a great opportunity to explore difficult topics within the safe space of the therapeutic relationship. I use a combination of talk therapy with neurofeedback in order to calm and stabilize the nervous system s...