What Is EFT?

Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is a treatment developed by Dr. Sue Johnson. Sometimes called EFT therapy, it often focuses on the connection between emotional responses and physical needs in relationships. It may help you with emotion regulation and navigating unhelpful emotions. This treatment primarily focuses on adult relationships, including intimate relationships and relationships with family members, as well as secure attachment and bonding.

The principles of EFT hold that short-term therapy can change problematic interpersonal relationships and help individuals deal with insecure attachment.  

A substantial body of EFT research shows that the therapy is highly effective, and EFT patients can demonstrate remarkable improvement. EFT can be explored in person or through online methods. EFT can be either an individual therapy experience or undertaken with others; emotionally focused family therapy can be a way to repair family bonds, while emotionally focused couples therapy can be a helpful couple intervention that may help both people with increasing awareness of their emotions and restructuring interactions with each other.

EFT typically includes nine steps. During an EFT session, individuals, couples, or families may explore their emotional experience and corresponding behaviors, which could help identify roles played in relationships. The effect of specific actions on the connection might also be discussed.

In couples therapy, the counselor may assess how a couple interacts. The counselor may develop and encourage a change process to form stronger adult attachment bonds between the individuals. Negative cycle interactions are de-escalated and changed through this method. Therapeutic approaches to EFT interventions with couples typically involve a non-judgmental, open discussion in order to enable the participants to express their feelings without fear.

At the beginning of EFT, you may identify primary concerns in a relationship and establish the triggers for conflict. At this stage, the counselor might identify any fears and unpleasant feelings contributing to negativity or conflict. They may help you describe your emotions and desires. 

Next, the counselor might help a couple change their interaction patterns by allowing them to voice their feelings. They are then taught how to express and accept the other party's needs. The final stage is when the couples are shown new communication methods to voice their problems and develop solutions. Finally, the couple may learn how to use their newly acquired skills outside the counseling session.

Emotionally focused couples therapy is often one of the most effective methods of reducing conflict in relationships and may help couples confront communication issues. EFT for couples may be utilized for the following conflicts:  

• Intimacy issues
• Insecure attachment
• Commitment issues 
• Difficulty communicating 
• Emotional suppression 
• Misunderstandings
• Marital conflict
• Divorce
• Differing values 
• Impulse control

When couples deal with significant relationship concerns, they may experience anger and resentment. Through EFT, couples may become more aware of their feelings, the effect of their actions on the relationship, and how they can overcome conflict and communicate in a healthy way.  

Emotionally focused therapy may be used to work with individuals. It can help someone become more self-assured or confident in relationships. This focus therapy may also help individuals expand and broaden their responses in their key relationships. 

If an individual has attachment issues, trauma, or a personality disorder, this EFT therapy may benefit them by helping them notice their emotions in response to triggers and memories. 

Families may utilize Emotionally Focused Therapy. A counselor may work to assess the underlying feelings in the family's interaction patterns and help them communicate based on these observations. EFT may help each family member understand how to compromise and validate others in the family. In the family setting, EFT may be valuable in dealing with complex situations such as divorce, blended families, or behavioral problems in teens.

The Strengths Of EFT

EFT may help clients learn how to deal with their hidden feelings instead of avoiding them. EFT is performed by certified counselors who typically undergo specialized training at university training centers and are required to stay updated on the latest empirical research around developing EFT techniques. Additionally, studies support the effectiveness of EFT for individuals, families, and couples. Though EFT is commonly used for improving adult relationships, it can also be effective for treating mental health conditions such as PTSD. 

Some psychotherapists have criticized EFT, arguing that more research is needed to determine its effectiveness. This critique is not uncommon for a therapeutic technique – within the field of psychological research, there are often ongoing discussions and studies addressing the efficacy of various treatments. 

EFT focuses primarily on relational and attachment-based difficulties. It may not benefit those seeking support for individual concerns or non-interpersonal conflicts. Additionally, the process of understanding your emotions better is typically a lifelong learning endeavor, so understand that EFT will likely not “fix” all of your relationships. Discuss your options with a medical professional when making a choice about which therapy technique is best for you.

There are many ways of finding an emotionally focused counselor, whether in private practice or otherwise. When searching for a therapist, ask about a potential counselor's training and level of education regarding EFT. Counselors often understand that knowing their background can be crucial to patients and may be willing to talk with you about their area of study. 

If you face barriers to treatment, such as distance, costs, or accessibility, online therapy platforms like BetterHelp may benefit you. With online therapy, you won't have to commute to an office or try to fit your appointment in with a busy schedule. You can meet a therapist anytime, including at night or early in the morning. Studies show that online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy in treating many conditions. Additionally, if you're looking for online couples therapy, platforms like Regain may offer value.