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 provide personalized, holistic mental health care for children, families, and individuals—whether at home, work, or online. I specialize in therapy and medication management for conditions like anxiety, ADHD, depression, and PTSD. Using evidence-based techniques such as CBT and DBT, my goal is to ensure you feel heard, valued, and supported as we work together toward healing and wellness.
My comprehensive care includes support for medication therapy and psychotherapy, along with standardized testing - screening to evaluate conditions like Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, ADHD, PTSD, self-esteem issues, Social Anxiety, and Body Image concerns. These tools help create personalized treatment plans, ensuring patients receive tailored care for ...
Psychiatric mental Health Nurse Practitioner compassionate, reliable partner in your mental health journey and providing care that is personalized, respectful and inclusive.
Hi, I'm Meg! I'm a psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP) here to help with your mental health needs. I offer psychiatric evaluations and prescribe medications as part of your treatment. I like to mix active listening with a holistic approach, creating a cozy, open space for you to feel comfortable. I'm also a certified yoga and meditation instructor and warmly welcome the LGBTQ+ and youth/adol...
My professional and personal experiences have made me passionate about supporting clients in their journey toward mental wellness. I will provide you with a holistic, non-judgmental approach and meet you where you are in your specific mental health journey. I provide psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and supportive psychotherapy to treat a wide range of mental health issues. I wor...
My professional career has always centered around mental and behavioral health. I have seen and been a part of amazing community efforts to empower the lives of individuals living with a severe and persistent mental illness. Working as part of the assertive community treatment (ACT) team allowed me to step into the homes of adults diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar I, schizoaffective disorde...
Life presents us all with a series of complex challenges. Everyone needs help sometimes in managing life’s twists and turns. I believe that therapy can be an incredible tool to learn to navigate struggles in more adaptive ways. If you are struggling, you deserve a kind and compassionate therapist who will work with you to develop goals and implement strategies to help you create and maintain…
At Esperanza Behavioral Health Services, we believe in a patient-centered approach to mental health care. We listen to our patients and collaborate with them to develop a treatment plan that addresses their unique needs and goals. We provide a comprehensive range of services, including integrated behavioral health, medication management, psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
