Exploring Therapy: Emotion-Focused

Emotion-focused Therapy (EFT), not to be confused with the Emotional Freedom Technique (which also uses the EFT abbreviation), is a strong, experiential approach to counselling and mental health treatment. EFT employs methods to help clients express, make sense of, and transform their emotions, which later helps change behaviours. 

It should be noted that simply learning about or becoming aware of one’s emotions is only the tip of the iceberg in EFT.  Over time, clients can expect the following in EFT sessions:

·         Learn to fully “sit with” and experience avoided emotions during therapy sessions

·         Figure out own deep desires and fears, and how that impacts interactions

·         Mend ruptured emotional bonds in relationships that have been scarred by history of trauma or upset

I have a professional relationship with a couple of EFT practitioners and have really come to admire and respect this therapeutic approach. I also recently learned that when it comes to couples therapy, EFT is one of the BEST evidence-based approaches and has been proven to WORK for couples.  So, if you’re looking for couples therapy in particular, consider seeking out a therapist who practices EFT and/or the ‘Gottman Method,’ which is another couples therapy approach that has a proven track record, and stay away from everything else.