What even is EFT?
Ever wondered how our emotions shape our lives? Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) dives deep into this question, offering a unique approach to therapy that's all about understanding and embracing our feelings. Developed by Drs. Leslie Greenberg and Sue Johnson in the 1980s, EFT flips the script on traditional therapy by putting emotions front and center. Instead of just tackling thoughts, EFT guides us through a journey of exploring our emotions in a safe, supportive space. It's about digging into those feelings, understanding where they come from, and using that understanding to create real, lasting change in how we relate to ourselves and others.
Okay, so why would I want an EFT therapist?
Choosing an Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) therapist can be incredibly helpful for individuals, couples, and families who want to understand and change their emotional experiences. EFT therapists provide a safe and supportive space to explore your feelings, helping you become more aware and accepting of them. This approach is great for tackling issues like depression, anxiety, and relationship problems by getting to the root of emotional patterns that might be causing trouble. For couples and families, EFT helps to strengthen emotional bonds, improve communication, and resolve conflicts, leading to healthier and more fulfilling relationships. By promoting emotional intelligence and resilience, EFT empowers you to create a more authentic and satisfying life.
What does a session look like?
In an Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) session, whether you're coming in alone, with a partner, or with your family, you'll find a warm and supportive space to really dive into your emotions. In EFT, the therapist believes that healing can come from The session usually starts with a check-in about what's been going on and how you're feeling. Then, the therapist guides you through what’s called the "EFT Tango," a kind of dance that helps you explore your emotional world and break free from unhelpful patterns. This process is not linear and is more “circular” in practice.
The Tango has five steps:
Attuning and reflecting - The therapist tunes into your emotions and helps you notice what's really going on inside.
Evoking and exploring - Together, you dig deeper into these emotions, often uncovering hidden feelings that are driving your actions and reactions.
Formulating - The therapist helps you connect these emotions to your past experiences and current relationships, making sense of the patterns in your life.
Restructuring interactions (enactments)- If you're in a session with a partner or family, this step involves practicing new ways of interacting that are more emotionally honest and connected.
Consolidating - You and the therapist sum up what you've discovered and plan how to use these new insights to improve your everyday life.
What’s really great about EFT is that it focuses on the cycle, not the people. It’s about understanding and changing the patterns of interaction that cause problems, rather than blaming individuals. By the end of the session, you’ll have a better understanding of your emotions and practical steps to break out of old patterns, leading to healthier and more fulfilling relationships.
So, what does this all mean?
What this means is that EFT works with you, your significant other, or your family to address patterns that aren’t helpful in your day-to-day life. There is no pointing or blaming; it’s about working together to make you and your loved ones feel seen, heard, and understood. This whole process stems from building a solid relationship with your therapist. An EFT therapist won’t take sides but will listen to what’s truly going on in your emotions. They are there to hear you, see you, and empathize with you.
If you are ready to start this transformative process, contact us today to schedule a session with one of our experienced therapists. Let's work together to build the secure relationships you deserve.
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