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 dedicated to helping others improve the quality of their lives. I have a deep respect for those who come into my office and want to help them process and overcome the issues that are causing them pain. What I have come to know in having done this work for the past six years is that we all experience pain in our own unique and profound ways. I provide a collaborative and compassionate...
TELETHERAPY AVAILABLE I enjoy challenges and diverse people and helping those who are in difficult situations. I specialize in responding to crises, trauma and workplace problems. So ideally I approach each situation, person or group with an open mind and a non-anxious-presence. I strive to provide that same level of confidence and trust to people in therapy. My strength is understanding comple...
Together we will open the invisible bag of hurts that you are dragging along; you know that bag where you have stuffed all the bad memories, the hurtful experiences, the times when you were hurt by the one you trusted, the time when the person that was supposed to take care of you turned away. We will go through the pain together. We will meet in the constellation that is needed for you: it can...
As a therapist, my main focus is to care for the concerns of the client's heart. I believe that we are made for connection and attachment. When relationships have been harmed or trauma has occurred, there is a fracture, wound or scar. This can run deep and needs to be treated with tenderness and understanding. Those who have experienced trauma may not understand the toll it has done to the brai...
Gently and collaboratively, I create a space for my clients to feel safe enough to heal and to create change in their lives. During our work together, my hope is for clients to develop a deeper relationship with themselves while creating more adaptive thinking patterns that support their goals in life. My approach focuses on supporting clients to feel more authentically about themselves, feel m...
The most important relationship that you have is the one with yourself. People come to therapy for a variety of reasons - regardless of your reason, my goal is to walk through the journey with you. Whether it be navigating relationship difficulties, trauma, anxiety, depression, or grief and loss, my goal as a therapist is to help people grow and learn to navigate life's challenges. I believe th...
Whatever difficulty is bringing you into therapy, ultimately it's an opportunity to learn about who you are, and how your personal and intergenerational history is affecting your experience of yourself and how you perceive the world. I work best with people who are hungry for this understanding, so they can untangle themselves from whatever is holding them back from living their best life. The...
***I am currently full and not accepting new clients. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to be added to my waitlist or want to talk about LGBTQAI+ friendly referrals. *** My approach is focused on what your experiences feel like and mean to you. I believe that therapy is best facilitated by forming a trusting relationship within a safe environment where you are able to explore and connect wit...
I believe that working together to create a collaborative approach is vital to a therapeutic relationship. I recognize that it takes courage to seek help--with that in mind, I treat my clients with respect, an open mind, and dignity. The truth is, we all have our own story to tell, and we all need help at least once in our lives, whether we want to admit it or not. To achieve their full potenti...
For the past 25 years, I have provided counseling services to my clients in various settings, including residential treatment, the clinic setting, in-home setting, and the school system. While I enjoy working with all ages and stages of individuals, I have a passion for and a great deal of experience in working with children, adolescents, and their families. I am a person who is easy to get to...
I value the counseling relationship and have a desire to practice with a client-centered approach. I have a great deal of experience working with families, and specifically with children and adolescent clients. Life experience also drive my clinical passions, including working with those struggling with difficult emotions and complicated grief. I take a person-centered, Cognitive-Behavioral...
Like many people, you may be feeling sad, anxious or alone. These feelings can be overwhelming. You may be struggling with self-esteem, relationship challenges, or a general lack of fulfillment. You want to feel better, but where do you start? I use an approach called Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples and individuals. Based on attachment science, EFT is a structured therapy designed...
I am passionate and optimistic in my therapeutic approach with couples, families, and individuals (adolescents/adults) who struggle with issues that affect their daily functioning. My goal is to empower clients to understand themselves, to highlight strengths, positive traits, hopeful patterns, and encourage the potential that emerges during the therapeutic process. Life today is stressful unde...
Carrie received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern Maine and is a Licensed Master Social Worker with a conditional clinical license (LMSW-CC). She has been working with individuals and groups in a therapeutic setting for over six years, most recently at The Island Institute for Trauma Recovery in downtown Biddeford. In addition to her clinical experience she is...
