Emotionally Focused Therapy

Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) – or emotionally focused couples therapy as it is sometimes known – is a short-term therapy technique focused on adult relationships. EFT seeks to help clients better understand both their own emotional responses and those of significant people in their lives. A therapist using EFT will look for patterns in the relationship and identify methods to create a more secure bond, increase trust, and help the relationship grow in a healthy direction. In a session, the therapist will observe the interactions between clients, tie this behavior into dynamics in the home, and help guide new interactions based on more open feelings. Sometimes, this includes clients discovering more emotions and feelings than they were aware they had. Think this approach might be right for you? Reach out to one of

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When we suppress or numb our emotions we don't get to pick and choose the ones we want to feel, they all get suppressed. Emotions are information and they are often trying to tell us important things. Recognizing and sitting with our emotions is a practice that we can get better at; allowing us to move deeper into our understanding of ourselves and others.

— Lindsay Anderson, Licensed Professional Counselor in , OR

Our team specializes in Emotionally Focused Therapy. We have all received advanced training in EFT. Some are Certified in EFT, and the others are working towards Certification. We regularly invest in advancing our skill as couples therapists using EFT, deepening knowledge in specialty topics such as helping couples reconnect sexually; work through a partner's trauma, depression or anxiety; working through relationship crises such as affairs or addictons; and helping couples restore relationships at risk of divorce and significant disconnection.

— Thrive Couple & Family Counseling Services, Counselor in Englewood, CO
 

Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) is one of the most effective, research-backed approaches for creating lasting relationship change. As a therapist trained in EFT, I help couples break unhealthy patterns, heal attachment wounds, and build deeper emotional connections. If you feel disconnected, unheard, or stuck in the same fights, I’ll guide you toward secure, fulfilling love by helping you understand emotions, rebuild trust, and strengthen intimacy.

— Evon Inyang, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist

If we avoid emotional process then we may find maladaptive responses to navigating stressors, life events, and relationships. Emotionally focused therapy helps with emotional process and regulation and helps you engage with emotions rather than avoid them.

— Jessie Harris, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Denver, CO
 

Emotionally Focused Therapy helps you gain insight into your feelings to help deepen relationships, improve decision making, expand self knowledge and emotional awareness.

— Alexandra (Sasha) Goodman, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Westlake, OH

The root of all healing comes from processing emotion, and this is not an easy thing to do. As humans we avoid, resist, and repress in order to protect ourselves. Using EFT, I can build a relationship with my clients, pull the emotion out, and help make connections. Therapy is a safe space to process emotions and my clients and I work together to break down those barriers.

— Jacqueline Siempelkamp, Licensed Professional Counselor in Radnor, PA
 

I am currently being trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with anticipated completion in spring of 2021. EFT attunes to our own emotions and emotional regulation as well as how they interact with those of our partner(s). I primarily use EFT with relationships (monogamous couples as well as polyamorous/open relationships), though the benefits of my training can also be utilized with individuals.

— Ajay Dheer, Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern in Beaverton, OR

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) are both rooted in identifying an attachment style and its direct effect on one's feelings. After identifying the feelings, I help the client remedy past traumas and attachment injuries through emotional realization and processing. These practices are evidence based and empirically backed to show lasting change.

— Ryan Pescaia, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in Houston, TX
 

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) is a therapeutic approach formulated on the theory that emotions are key to identity, decision making, and relationships. As an EFT therapist, I believe that in order to understand the important information emotions provide, we need our focus to be more on an awareness and acceptance of our emotions rather than attempting to suppress and control our emotions. Using this approach can help uncover the complexities of a relationship in couples counseling.

— Hannah Brooks, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in San Diego, CA

Unfortunately suffering is a part of life. It is unavoidable, although people employ various types of strategies to avoid suffering and the feelings associated with suffering. It is my belief that in order to withstand suffering, and to heal from it, we must submit to our experience and acknowledge our uncomfortable feelings. I assist my clients in acnowledging their various emotions, and encourage a curiosity about the emotion that initiates a process of healing.

— Arielle Fettman, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Portland, OR
 

I had the privilege to complete an externship for Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) offered by my master's program. I have my master's degree in Couples and Family Therapy, where I was trained specifically how to work with couples and families, utilizing EFT, narrative therapy, and other systemic, client-centered perspectives. I utilize this more often when I work with couples specifically.

— Natalie Paige, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Austin, TX

I have received training in EFT directly from the founder of the modality: Dr. Sue Johnson, as well as one of her most well-known trainers: Dr. Rebecca Jorgensen. I have completed two 4-day EFT externships, & am currently receiving advanced training & supervision in the modality (Core Skills).

— Madalina Coman, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Gatos, CA
 

I specialize in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help individuals and couples strengthen their emotional bonds. With training and experience in EFT, I guide clients in understanding and expressing emotions in healthy ways, fostering trust and connection. If you feel disconnected, misunderstood, or stuck in negative patterns, I can help you create a secure emotional attachment. Through EFT, we’ll work to transform your relationships, building deeper empathy, communication, and healing.

— Joanna Said, Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate in Englewood, CO

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a humanistic, evidence-based approach to psychotherapy, drawing primarily from attachment theory to facilitate the creation of secure, vibrant connection with self and others. Rooted in the science of emotions and attachment, EFT helps clients identify and transform the negative processing and interaction patterns that create distress. It focuses on the development of emotional intelligence and awareness.

— Rachel Whisennant, Licensed Professional Counselor in Sandy Springs, GA