EFT Couple Therapy

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a highly effective therapy used to treat couples experiencing disconnection, distress, and/or dissatisfaction. EFT has been used to help thousands of couples world-wide. This therapy has been researched for over 20 years and is an empirically validated approach to working with couples. Research has shown EFT to have a 70-73% recovery rate from marital distress in 10 – 12 sessions of therapy, and a 90% rate of significant improvement (Johnson, 2004, Jacobson, 1984).  Therapy duration and results can vary depending on many factors of the relationship.

EFT focuses on the relationship between partners in terms of the emotional bond. A healthy bond is created when each partner becomes a source of security and comfort for the other. Couples in marital distress are trapped in negative patterns of interacting that weaken or damage their emotional bond. In many cases couples have been trapped in negative patterns that create resentment, defensiveness, hurt, and conflict. These patterns can be very difficult to recognize when you are “in them”. Couples can often be unaware of the depth of these patterns. There can be disconnection, resentment and/or conflict for a long time that wears away at the positive connection. Other times there can be a negative experience(s) that caused broken trust such as an affair, reoccurring lying or secret addictions.

It is possible for partners to learn a new ways of relating. With EFT, couples learn new ways of interacting that create connection and build a healthy emotional bond. In a healthy bond we feel understood, appreciated, cared for, and secure. EFT couples therapy can be described as a journey from defensiveness, frustration and isolation to emotional engagement, security and a sense of connectedness. Read more about Couple Counseling here.