I became passionate about Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) after experiencing it firsthand when my wife and I were on the brink of divorce.  We had previously sought other modalities of couples therapy and although they provided some relief, they proved to be only band-aids that did not get to the heart of the matter like the Emotionally Focused Therapy did.  All this made a powerful impression on me when I later became a therapist myself, choosing to further my training in EFT to better serve my clients, and have gone on to become a Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist.

Initially I only used Emotionally Focused Therapy in my counseling of couples and families because of how I recognized it to be a profound way to bring them closer together in intimate connection, but then I saw how individuals getting in touch with this deeper work were able to untap a potent source of positive energy as well in contrast to other techniques. I still draw upon other modalities where I believe to be appropriate and beneficial, but by and large I believe most clients are very well-served by Emotionally Focused Therapy.

Emotionally Focused Therapy is an attachment-oriented approach based on the evidence that rather than something needing to be dismissed, emotions can be gateways to our greater authenticity and freedom when dealt with effectively.  Whether in couples or family therapy where the underlying feelings and needs are shared in the loving support of the relationship, bringing them closer together in a beautiful way, or in individual work where this may be done within the safety and caring guidance of the therapeutic relationship, the result tends towards the enrichment of clients' lives.

Scientific research studies show that over 70 percent of couples in Emotionally Focused Therapy went from distressed to happy, and 90 percent significantly improved in 15 to 20 sessions.  Perhaps more importantly, the results were stable two years later.  Other couples therapies only provided improvement in about 35 percent of couples by the end of treatment; of those, between 30 and 50 percent relapsed within two years. Although the research is not as extensive for Emotionally Focused Therapy with individuals or families as it is with couples, similarly compelling findings are shown to be empirically validated.

Further Information and Resources for Emotionally Focused Therapy:

EFT Overview - emotionfocusedtherapy.org

What is EFT? - www.iceeft.com

Why emotions? [cartoon]