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
Life in the 21st century has forced many people to live with many hats and obligations. At times these hats heavy the head making life a little cluttered with stress, anxiety, shame, anger, self-doubt, feelings of being overwhelmed, and potentially depression. These feelings may negatively impact familial relationships, sexual relationships, work functionality, and social life. Everyone has the...
The decision to pursue therapy is a great first step in taking ownership of your life and learning new skills. I tailor my interventions to the needs of my clients and do not employ a one-size-fits-all-approach. Some children need a gentle approach where they feel empowered and free to guide the conversation and advocate for their needs. Teens, however, may need a more direct approach while sti...
Michael works with adolescents, adults, and couples to address a wide range of needs including: anxiety, depression, life adjustment, suicidal thoughts, spiritual development, sexual identity, relationship communication, conflict resolution, pre-marital education, and family systems under duress. He seeks to create a safe and collaborative space for clients to move towards hope and healing....
We are created for connection. When our relationships break down or love doesn't work, it is written into our brains and our bodies to feel pain and distress. If you add depression, anxiety, or trauma on top of that, life can become overwhelming. At Sacred Ground Psychotherapy we believe that all emotions and behavior makes sense when we are curious and look at it through the lens of your...
Relationships can be challenging, especially now. At the Center for Family & Relational Health, our marriage and family therapists specialize in healing hurting relationships. Rather than treating individual clients, we take a different therapy approach. We treat any combination of two or more people who want to move from feeling stuck to experiencing meaningful connection in their relationship...
Welcome and congratulations on choosing to embark on a different journey!! I have spent 25 yrs getting to know people of all ages: 6 - 80 years young. I find my passion lies with ages 17 and older. There seems to be a common struggle with finding a sense of meaning and purpose, or the loss of such, while juggling the demands of school, career, relationships and society. The more we lose ourselv...
Are you considering reaching out to talk to someone about the challenges that you, your children, or your family may be facing? I would be happy to be that person. We will collaborate and develop goals together and I will help you reach those goals. We will focus on your strengths. Even if you seem to have forgotten what those strengths are, I know they are there and together we will find them...
I have worked primarily with children and adolescents throughout my career in community and school based mental health services. I love working with families trying to find better solutions to challenges that support healthy growth, development and relationships. I have also worked with adult clients of both genders and a variety of backgrounds who are working to manage symptoms of depression,...
I am a Resident in Counseling under the supervision of Sharon Watson. I am passionate about helping individuals from diverse backgrounds to experience growth in their lives and achieve their highest potential. I believe in the value that an individual's culture, religion and family history brings to their lives. Empowering and guiding people to take hold of their personal growth is a large focu...
I have fifteen years of experience as a psychotherapist, partnering with men and women to address a wide range of concerns. I collaborate with clients to explore patterns, often contributing to emotional pain, while helping to make meaning of their feelings and experiences, resulting in self-awareness and healing. The counseling process allows one to identify core issues and develop more effect...
The goal is progress not perfection. When we compare ourselves to the ideal future we desire, we often feel disappointed about where we are and the amount of progress we have made. When we compare where we are to where we have been we have the opportunity to celebrate our progress and use that energy to take the next step. I am passionate about meeting people where they are at, and helping them...
The holiday season can be a joyous time of year. But it’s also a time of high emotions, extra demands and tight finances – all of which can lead to anxiety, loneliness and depression. Given the isolating circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, some people may even begin to lose their sense of hope. Mike offers compassionate support to people who experience these concerns. He celebrates the...
ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS & LATE EVENING APPT AVAIL. I view life as a collection of experiences that fit together like pieces of a puzzle. From birth to old age, we continually add new pieces to our identity and that collection is what makes us Us. Some of the experiences we encounter in life can affect certain pieces of our identity in a negative way. Whether it is anxiety, trauma, broken trust, l...
Relationships and life experiences create opportunities for discovery, growth, and connecting more fully with ourselves and others. I believe healing is found through relationships and by integrating our life experiences when we open our hearts, become more empathetic, and discover greater authenticity within ourselves and our relationships. I work with individuals, couples, and families helpin...
I believe in meeting every client where they are in life and to focus on strengths and abilities. Change and adapting to an identity are part of the growth process throughout life. I believe it is important to provide patients with knowledge, support and emotional growth during their time in therapy. Fifteen years of counseling experience, trained in psychotherapy and transactional analysis....
