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
Not Accepting Clients at this time. As a clinical professional counselor and licensed alcohol and drug counselor with over 10 years of experience, I provide an individualized and diverse approach to help you achieve your needs and have worked with a wide range of concerns such as: LGBTQ, addictions, behavioral issues, personal wellness, depression, stress/anxiety, PTSD, relationship issues, and...
Seeking therapy and exploring your mental health needs can sometimes be a daunting decision. Feeling ambivalent toward therapy is common; To minimize any uncertainty one might feel, I incorporate Strength-Based and Recovery Oriented therapeutic interventions. As adults, many of us experience some form of anxiety, panic or feelings of hopelessness when navigating our day to day routine and/or...
Gravitating through the world can be hard even if we feel things are going well. The emotional responses that happen when we begin to feel out of control can be overwhelming, leading to decisions that may not be safe or helpful. Whether you are finding ways to recover from a past trauma, or find that your depression or anxiety is taking over your day, know that you are not alone. Acknowledging...
Ariell is an eclectic therapist that combines emotion-focused strategies with psychotherapeutic evidence-based approaches. The underlying principles in her approach are that treating anxiety, depression, self-esteem and more can be traced to experiences, beliefs of shame, and other negative core beliefs in an individual. Finding out these aspects of a person’s life, naming them, and working...
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist who specializes in working with trauma, anxiety and substance abuse. I utilize various models in therapy such as CBT, DBT, experiential, and solution focused. I am EMDR trained and have over 7 years of clinical experience working with children, parents, couples, individuals and families. I am currently accepting clients, I am available evenings and...
You might be looking here because you're tired of feeling overwhelmed or unsatisfied with where you are in your life. Maybe you've had a recent experience or loss that is causing pain. Or maybe something happened a long time ago that's continuing to impact how you feel. Perhaps you don't like the way your mood is impacting your relationships, your family, your job, your life. Or possibly you've...
I have 20 years experience working with children, adolescences, adults and families who have relationship issues, endured traumatic experiences or school/job stressors. I also have successful help children with emotional and behavior difficulties and individuals dealing with life style issues. It is my belief that people have the innate potential to free themselves of emotional difficulties. My...
Coming to therapy can feel vulnerable and scary, but it is a brave step towards the life you deserve. Guided by effective techniques such as mindfulness, educated insight and genuine curiosity, I work to protect and nurture my client's sensitivities, strengths and hopes for a joyous and fulfilling existence. I work with highly sensitive people (HSP) looking to understand their trait and thrive...
Asking for help, means having the strength and power of choosing to face your difficulties. We struggle with changes, transitions in life and uncertain situations because there are always fears around. We need to face those fears to make healthy changes. Maybe you dont know where to start, or how you got to this situation, but YOU HAVE THE ANSWER TO YOUR NEEDS. Together we will discover which a...
I have a passion for helping individuals, couples, and families work through life’s challenges. It is my belief that our physical and mental health are improved when we have close, healthy, and supportive relationships in our lives. I love to laugh and feel humor is a great tool to deal with life's challenges. I genuinely enjoy connecting with people and feel honored to walk along them in their...
Welcome! I strive to make therapy a meaningful experience through providing genuine support, safety, transparency, warmth, humor, and collaboration. I believe in meeting you where you’re at and am committed to working alongside you as you develop positive coping skills to make changes in your life. I utilize a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and person-centered approach. I have experience...
I know what it feels like to be stuck, repeating the same behaviors over and over again. I know how it feels to say with all your heart, "I'll never do that again" - and mean it sincerely; but find yourself repeating that behavior again. I know how it feels to be in despair and hopelessness. I know how deep shame can run and how much it can control your life. I know what fear feels like and why...
CURRENTLY FULL, ACCEPTING TO WAIT LIST Do you wish to make changes in your life? People team with me to live more fully: with enthusiasm, passion and greater satisfaction. As your therapist, I offer you presence that is non-judgmental, caring and compassionate. Everyone deserves to have someone who is fully present with them. I am an insightful listener, and will meet you where you are at, in...
Transitions and change can be difficult and can often lead to feelings of anxiety, loneliness, and depression. These feelings are common responses to experiences like relationship/work stress and family conflict. The process of healing through pain is an individual and unique one and sometimes we struggle with our ability to effectively cope with the feelings that these experiences and life...
Psychotherapy is a process that should generate meaning and self-understanding in a dialogue between client and clinician. In starting this process, it is my goal to provide you with a space that emphasizes empathy, non-judgement, and confidentiality. These concepts help create the environment in which you can express any thought or feeling that comes up, whether it be positive, negative, or...
