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
My ideal client is either an adult struggling with concerns such as depression, anxiety, spiritual issues, stress, relationships, sex or porn addiction etc. or a couple struggling with marital/premarital concerns such as communication, conflict resolution, infidelity, sexual concerns etc. and want assistance in alleviating their symptoms. I practice from a Christian worldview and I am able to...
I believe that everyone can benefit from therapy. When you give yourself the gift of therapy, you give yourself the best chance at a fulfilling life. I help adults, single parents, couples, and any family system, which includes parents and children of all ages, balance the connection between mind, body, and spirit. As children develop, their brains ‘mirror’ their parent's brain. In other words,...
Life can be difficult... For everyone, for different reasons and at different times in their lives. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and my ultimate goal in therapy is to offer you support, understanding, and the guidance we all need to live our best life. I work with individuals and families experiencing life challenges that are impacting their day to day lives, relationships, overall we...
I am Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (#7196) by the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors. I graduated from Southern University and A&M College with my master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2017. I conduct the therapy I provide for my clients through morals and values of the Christian faith integrated with Cognitive-Behavior Therapy....
I help high-achieving sensitive people from immigrant and other diverse backgrounds connect more to their authentic selves and thrive. You are a high performer---maybe even the go-to person for other people. Perhaps you identify as an introvert, empath, creative, changemaker, or healer. You feel deeply, and you are concerned about others. Outwardly, you’ve held it together, worked hard to keep...
Marissa Josiah is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience serving couples and families. She has studied researched-backed models in the couples therapy field (Gottman, Imago, etc) and has advanced experience treating trauma. Marissa specializes in helping couples who are fighting all the time, have experienced infidelity, past or on-going trauma, and couples ...
Feeling overwhelmed, stressed or challenged? Allow a professional to hear and understand your unique experience. While it takes courage and willingness to open up, it can be a very effective resource for your personal growth. Whether you're adjusting to a new beginning or in search of support during a painful period of your life, I would be honored to hold a safe space for you. Tap into trust, ...
Kelsey has a heart for working with people of all ages to find hope, healing, and growth. She is particularly passionate about working with children, adolescents, and emerging adults. Her approach to therapy includes a combination of understanding the functioning of the brain and its impact on daily living and an insight-oriented approach that makes connections from past experiences to current...
Life can be hard, overwhelming, and sometimes we feel alone with no idea how to move forward. Even the simplest task can seem like you are scaling a mountain with nothing to protect you. As your therapist, my role is to stand with you as you climb the mountain and find healing along the way. I have extensive experience working with grief and loss- whether it is a parent, loved one, or friend an...
I primarily work with couples, do sex therapy, and also see adolescent boys who struggle with substance abuse. In addition, I see families who are working through the complicated loss of a love one's suicide. As a therapist who is also an attorney, writer, and Episcopal priest, I bring a broad spectrum of experience into therapy. I see people for the complex human they are as opposed to a mere...
Do you find yourself stuck or pained in relationships - relationships with yourself, others, the world, or your past? The struggle may express itself in loneliness, emptiness, existential concerns, or maladaptive interpersonal patterns. It may manifest as symptoms, such as anxiety, fear, depression, or disordered eating. I strive to create trust in a nonjudgmental and authentic atmosphere, from...
I love working with adolescents and adults in a private practice setting. I view therapy as a partnership and requires a person's active involvement to help change their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. I enjoy adolescents the most because of their complex issues while trying to navigate the world with all the environmental stressors that arise. I have worked in a private practice setting for...
**TeleHealth Counseling Available!** I bring authentic listening joined with the power of hope into the counseling relationship. When life brings its seasons of challenges and difficulties, I am confident that a road traveled together is the beginning of change. I believe in the uniqueness of individuals and without judgment, bring faith for the faithful and faithless. I compassionately help th...
Everyone struggles, not everyone has someone to walk alongside them as they figure out how to get back to who they want to be. Through a compassionate, empathetic, and solution based atmosphere, I help clients on an individual, couple, or family-basis related to a variety of issues including, but not limited to: stress, relationship issues, family conflict, communication, gender affirmation...
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (NC #10893) with a Masters of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. I have experience in community mental health, college counseling, and private practice. My specialty areas include anxiety disorders, dissociative disorders, panic disorders, trauma, and depression. My counseling approach is...
