What Is EFT? Benefits Of Emotionally Focused Therapy
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 Links Emotions And Your Health
Emotionally Focused Therapy Is A Step-By-Step Active Process
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 Therapy May Improve Your Romantic Relationships
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 Help You Feel Self-Reliant
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 therapy may benefit them by helping them notice their emotions in response to triggers and memories.
Emotionally Focused Therapy Might Improve Family Communication
Families may utilize EFT. 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.
Limitations
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.
How To Find An Emotionally-Focused Therapist
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.
Takeaway
If you, your relationship, or your family are struggling with interpersonal concerns or attachment, EFT might be rewarding. EFT often focuses on attachment styles, emotions, and behavior and how these can impact your body and mind. If you're ready to start, consider contacting a counselor.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Below are some commonly asked questions about emotionally focused therapy.
How Does EFT Counseling Work?
You can divide emotionally focused therapy into three stages, including the following.
De-Escalation
In couple therapy, when a couple or family has a constant cycle of negativity, a therapist may target it with de-escalation. Often, people may go through cycles they're unaware of. An emotionally focused counselor can help individuals pinpoint these cycles and understand their causes.
Restructure
The next stage in emotionally focused therapy is restructuring. This stage can involve talking through fears and attachment concerns. A counselor may ask leading questions to help facilitate constructive communication.
Consolidation
The last stage of emotionally focused therapy is consolidation. A counselor may help the client realize how they arrived at negative cycles and how to implement new strategies in their daily life.
What Does EFT Stand For In Counseling?
In this context, EFT stands for emotionally focused therapy. There are other forms of counseling with a similar abbreviation, such as the emotional freedom technique.
What Is An Emotional Counselor Called?
An EFT counselor doesn't necessarily go by any particular name. They may be referred to as a therapist, psychiatrist, social worker, counselor, or emotionally focused therapist.
Can EFT Be Harmful?
No form of EFT is considered harmful. However, facing emotions and conflicts with a therapist could be difficult. Being willing to do the work may reap benefits in the long term.
Is Emotion-Focused Therapy Humanistic?
Yes, emotionally focused individual counseling is considered a humanistic approach to counseling. It can be an empathetic approach to teach individuals how to come to terms with their feelings.
How Does EFT Work?
EFT uses the body's meridian points, also known as energy hotspots. These hotspots may be restored through EFT, and your physical or mental energy could recover. EFT Tapping is a non-invasive form of energy rebalance that is still being researched. In some cases, a counselor may "tap" specific points on your body to restore energy to those hotspots.
What Should I Say During EFT Tapping?
EFT tapping can be done at home in addition to with a therapist. At its core, EFT is often focused on acceptance of the self, so acknowledging shortcomings as a natural part of personal growth and progress may benefit you.
What Are The Nine Tapping Points?
There are nine primary tapping points used in EFT:
The small intestine
The top of the head
The eyebrow
The side of the eye
Under the eye
Under the nose
The chin
The beginning of the collarbone
Under the arm
Is EFT Evidence-Based?
Yes, there is evidence that supports the efficacy of EFT.
What Is Attachment-Based Therapy For Adults?
Attachment-based therapy for adults may examine early attachment experiences from infancy and their effect on adult attachment styles. This process may support adults working on bonding interactions and unmet attachment needs.
What Are The Signs Of Attachment Disorder In Adults?
There are no attachment disorders in the DSM-5 for adults, although there are several for children. However, adults can experience an insecure attachment style.
Several signs could point to an insecure attachment style. They include being uncomfortable with emotional intimacy, feeling insecure in close relationships, pushing people away, lacking trust for others, difficulty discerning the intentions of others, and difficulty experiencing emotions.
On the other hand, someone with an anxious attachment may experience fear when others are distant, fear abandonment, or have low self-esteem.
What Is The Best Therapy For Attachment Disorder?
Suitable treatment may depend on your symptoms and needs. Speaking with a mental health professional could assist you in finding the proper solution for your symptoms.
What are the criticisms of EFT?
How many EFT sessions are needed?
How quickly does EFT work?
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