Psychotherapist Providers

First developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, emotionally focused therapy (EFT therapy) is a therapeutic approach that works toward growing and expanding the self and its capacities. This modality is grounded in attachment science and provides a framework to transform some of our core emotional experiences. "Core chaotic, foreign, or denied emotional experience is evoked, ordered, and regulated to shape emotional balance and integration in each client. Clients move from chaos to order, reactivity to balance, from self abnegation to self-acceptance, from helplessness to agency," (Johnson & Campbell, 2022).

Clients who benefit the most from emotionally focused therapy (EFT therapy) are those feeling stuck in a maladaptive paradigm, which is often due to an early attachment injury, or ongoing injuries to one's self-esteem. This often manifests in the form of depression, anxiety, unhealthy relationship dynamics and patterns, and may include a history of trauma, particularly if the trauma was due to an unhealthy, toxic, abusive, or neglectful relationship. EFT is great for marriages, family bonds, interpersonal relationships, romantic partnerships, building emotional awareness, working on loss of trust, feelings of betrayal and alleviating symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression.

Contraindications (those who may not benefit from EFT) include: Individuals or couples that cannot create safety in session, those who are currently in an abusive relationship, and client(s) who are not able to agree to a safety net outside of sessions. Further, in couples therapy, those who express extreme fear in their current relationship and the abuser denies responsibility for their actions, where asking the partners to take risks and be vulnerable opens up increased danger in the current dynamics. Short-term contraindications include any condition that results in a lack of control over emotions, such as panic disorder, impulse disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, etc.  

There are 3 primary stages of EFT. The first is to reach "stabilization" and de-escalate negative interaction cycles you may engage in. At this stage, the therapist builds rapport and helps individuals understand what might be happening within their relationships and any insecurities or distance between the two will be distinguished.

The second stage involves "restructuring" interactions in relationships, where the therapist teaches the client to effectively discuss their fears using healthy communication skills. In individual therapy, the client learns to lean toward themselves and their therapist as an attachment figure, and engage in open and honest discussion. In couples therapy, the clients begin to lean toward each other, rather than away, and engage in these discussions openly, honestly, and vulnerably.

The final stage is consolidation. This stage involves specifically identifying negative patterns in the client's relationship to self and others and identifies how these patterns are able to be changed moving forward, in an effort to avoid repeating the maladaptive cycles from the past.

The length of time varies for each client and their specific therapeutic needs, and is best determined by the therapist. Typically, research demonstrates that 16-20 weekly sessions are required.

Client progress for EFT is measured by open and honest engagement between the client(s) and the therapist as it relates to the ability to achieve the outcomes desired in each of the three steps. Once a client is able to honestly identify their emotions in each situation, that is considered a success, and stage two is then initiated.

In stage two, progress is measured by the client's ability to effectively communicate these feelings to others in ways that are healthier and more adaptive. Once such progress is achieved, stage three begins, which involves identifying emotional response patterns and seeing how they impacted relationships, and how new patterns are forming to nurture stable, connected bonds.

EFT for individuals and couples focuses on identifying barriers and challenges, increasing emotional wellness, and shifting beliefs regarding your mental health and developmental processes. Therapy focuses on symptom management and self-awareness, and is an ongoing process where our aim is to support you as you identify new, adaptive strategies to shift multiple areas of your life.

Attachment coaching is a specific, targeted focus on one area of focus in your life, specifically identifying developmental processes that may contribute to the current disruption in your relationships. This will help you identify a clear picture of the barriers and we intentionally brainstorm solutions where we can put those solutions to work. Coaching is the approach to use in future planning for your relationship to self, partners, or family systems. This coaching style is for you if you're looking for a solution-focused and growth-oriented approach to healing, and do not want to commit to the longer process therapy entails. Our Attachment Coaching Services include 8 one-on-one 60 minute video coaching calls over Google Meet.