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
“The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story." -Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. We often create a story about our lives that is untrue or unkind. We become bound by shame, guilt or negative self-perceptions. These views shape how we show up in the world and dictate what we f...
It’s true, life can be painful and even very unfair. Your relationships might be struggling, your daily demands may seem overwhelming, your work may feel far more stressful than engaging, and you may be down on yourself. You may have any number of emotions including anxiety, anger, guilt, pessimism, boredom, regret, sadness, shame, and loneliness. Therapy can help you cope with difficult emotio...
My focus is on working with individuals and families helping them become whole again. I have lived in Alaska on and off for 15 years, grew up in Minnesota, military spouse for 20 years, and have two children in college. I work from a variety of therapeutic frameworks to help achieve holistic harmony and wellness. I have been a therapist for many years with children, teens, adults, and families ...
Life can be challenging, and sometimes we can feel inadequate in dealing with life struggles that come our way. Sometimes we feel like we've tried everything, but for some reason we still feel stuck despite our best efforts. Although there are times in our lives when we feel great, there are also times in our lives when we feel hopeless, anxious, depressed, or even lost. Sometimes, we can pinpo...
I believe that the therapist's role is to be authentic and compassionate, as well as an active participant in helping you to overcome whatever concern brings you to therapy. In addition to listening to what you are struggling with in the moment, I try to help you find ways to manage the distress and more fully engage in your life. I use a combination of traditional talk therapy and skill-buildi...
My ideal client is a couple struggling with repeated conflictual patterns of communication. We divulge the impact you are having on your partner and vice versa. I specialize in Collaborative Couples Therapy, whose underlying premise is that intimacy may be just a sentence away. At any point in time, a partner can say something attacking which will trigger an adversarial cycle, disengaging which...
We at APLA Health - Gleicher/Chen Health Center are dedicated to serving our community, and we make working with individuals of all backgrounds part of our mission. We are here to help, whether you're completely committed to change or you're struggling with the idea. We provide medical, dental, and behavioral health care all within the same clinic. In addition to primary care, we offer sexual...
Whether you’re considering therapy for the first time or looking for a new clinician, you've already taken a step towards creating positive change. I provide an inviting, safe space for you to discuss your family, relationship, or personal concerns. No matter what is on your mind, I will listen with acceptance. Using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based practices, we will...
***ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS STARTING 2/1/2021*** Have you been feeling sad, overwhelmed, tired, and irritable? Have you been jittery, can't sit still, have racing thoughts, and can't sleep at night? Maybe you have had some trauma in your past or have had thoughts that life is no longer worth living. Do you wonder why you and your significant other fight so much? You may not know why you are feelin...
Are you searching for a therapist? There must be a strong fit between the client and the therapist for the work to be productive. I welcome clients looking for a non-judgmental, strength based, solution and action focused approach. I enjoy working with clients who seek a no nonsense, pragmatic approach to life challenges. I do understand that life can sometimes seem irrational and out of contro...
Testimonial from a former client: "Susan's approach to therapy is grounded in real neurological and behavioral science. With some past counselors, I've often been put off by vaguely new age "feel good" sessions that never sought to address the actual underlying illness. Susan has helped me to identify why I reacted or interpreted something in a certain way, and how to catch myself from repeatin...
As a substance abuse counselor, who specializes in treatment services for adolescents and adults, it is my goal to address the individual's addiction, identify their needs, and goals for long-term success. As a clinician, it is important to understand the full spectrum of the individual's substance use, the impact their use has had on their family members, and identify goals to ensure their...
I help clients build insight about the barriers keeping them from the life and connection they desire while also developing the tools necessary to make empowered and lasting change. My supportive yet direct style is authentic and compassionate while also being appropriately challenging — creating space for the self-exploration that allows clients to build positive internal & external relationsh...
Tulip Tree Therapy, LLC primarily focuses on child and family therapy in elementary aged children and their families, adolescents, and teens. I am able to provide support to parents who may have a child who is struggling with behavior issues. I will lead parents through play-based interactions to broaden relationships and create continued growth in a child or teen's emotional response to others...
These seem like such trying times, and you want support to feel better and solve what may feel like impossible challenges. You’re tired of trying on your own, or just want to feel more hopeful, to find lasting solutions and peace. I can help with stressful adjustments and life problems, family conflict or parenting struggles, and healing difficult past experiences that still get in the way. I...
