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
Seeking solutions for our sexual and relationships concerns can often feel daunting and isolating. What once made us feel whole, loved, and heard now makes us feel lonely, confused, and shattered. It is hard to find someone to open up to about the most intimate details of our lives. For that reason, we might try to manage on our own or try to ignore the problem, hoping it will go away. This can...
I am a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of training and experience treating excessive worrying, panic attacks, OCD, and social anxiety. I specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which has proven to be powerful and effective in the treatment of anxiety. CBT provides specific strategies to address thoughts, physical feelings, and behaviors that feed into the debilitating cycle o...
Are you experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship issues, or feeling held back by past experiences? Do you feel like something is missing in your life or that you need to make important connections or breakthroughs to live your life more honestly? Do you feel stuck in the past, afraid to live your life, or lack of motivation? Do you feel like low self esteem or insecurity...
Change is is hard. Just by talking the first step in looking for someone to help you understand what your change process will be is BIG. I have worked with many individuals like you who are ready to start their healing. I can help you identify the steps to get there. I use a variety of clinical tools depending on the individual need including Coginitive Behavior Therapy, Emotional Focused Thera...
*Immediate openings available during the week and on select Saturdays* Currently ONLY offering telehealth options for clients! Are you a child or adult who is living with anxiety or depression? Do you have learning difficulties in school? Are you an adult seeking to find common ground in your relationships. There is hope, there are solutions, you can make it through this, and I'm here to help. ...
Does the stress and pressure of everyday life feel overwhelming? Has life changed so quickly that it's difficult for you to get through the day let alone focus or concentrate? You try to return to normal, but you're not even sure what normal is now. As you struggle with the demands of work and family, you know you want to find time for yourself, but you aren't sure how. You've even started to...
As a counselor, I utilize a family systems approach in my work with adolescents and their parents in order to assist with restructuring of communication so that individuals can feel heard, respected and have their ideas validated. I also work hard to eliminate cultural biases and meet the client's where they are based on their individual needs. Additionally, I began my training in couples...
Do you struggle with anxiety? Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? Eating disorders/body image issues? I am happy to help. My approach offers an opportunity to explore one’s own strengths and recognize you are the expert of your life. In conjunction with training in multiple evidence-based models, I offer an empathetic but challenging space to unlock your own gifts and function better in your daily...
I work with couples and adults. People I have had the pleasure to work with are often in a transitional period of their life and feel stuck working through it on their own. You may fit criteria for the following issues: depression, anxiety, bipolar, chronic illness, sexual dysfunctions (including painful sex, low desire, erectile disorder, achieving orgasm too quickly, or not at all, STI...
You’ve been brave for so long, but are at a point of weariness. Life has been difficult and lacks the joy that you desire. Your relationships are unfulfilling. You often feel alone and overwhelmed. You have a fear of truly being seen, although you long to be known and loved. Deep down, you have moments of hopelessness. You've heard about self-care and self-compassion, but are not quite sure wha...
I see us each born with a sense of ease, a sense of knowing that we are loved and worthy. Life has a way of challenging us in ways that are sometimes more than we can manage. We endure events and experiences that feel like cuts and bruises and we have to find ways to navigate threats to our well-being. Sometimes these cuts feel so deep that we’re not able to easily heal and we cringe in pain ea...
I have a passion for working with people from various backgrounds, cultures, and age groups from adolescence all the way through end of life. I enjoy assisting individuals and couples who struggle with depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, eating disorders, life transition, and self-esteem concerns. I also have several years of experience walking alongside clients who struggle with though...
I specialize in general clinical psychology (various anxiety and mood disorders), health psychology, and evidence-based practice. I use cognitive behavioral therapy with a collaborate approach. At the beginning of treatment, we work toward figuring out what isn’t working for you and how to initially get you some symptom relief. I value getting to know you and your thoughts, beliefs, and coping...
Karima Shamma is not currently taking new clients. Life satisfaction hinges on the quality of past & current relationships because we grow in relationship with others. This is what therapy is all about. I work with adults, adolescents, college and transitional-aged to unearth the roots of inner distress, expand awareness, curiosity, energy and empowerment. Life is not rigid, it flexibly ebbs &...
I consider crisis to be any unwanted disruption in your life that you feel you may need help with. I will meet you where you are at, and develop with you, a personalized care plan specific to your needs and goals so that you are better equipped to meet the challenges in your life head on while remaining focused, purposeful, and authentic to yourself. In sessions, you'll gain new insight and...
