Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a humanistic approach to psychotherapy developed in the 1980s. It is closely tied to the science of adult attachment, a developmental theory of personality and intimate relationships. This approach views humans as innately relational, social, and wired to form intimate bonds with others. EFT prioritizes emotions and emotional regulation as fundamental factors in individual experiences and interactions within relationships.

How does EFT work?

The core concept of EFT revolves around "emotion schemes," which outline how emotions can be experienced physically, lead to physiological changes, influence thinking, and guide future actions. EFT helps people accept and modify their emotion schemes to lead healthier lives.

Techniques employed in EFT revolve around two main skills:

1. Increasing Awareness and Acceptance of Emotions: EFT focuses on helping individuals become more aware of their emotions, allowing them to regulate these emotions, and clearly describing them.

2. Transforming Emotions: EFT teaches individuals to evaluate the helpfulness of their emotions in various situations, use helpful emotions to guide their actions, identify the sources of unhelpful emotions, change these unhelpful emotions, and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

EFT therapists utilize a compassionate and non-judgmental approach through active listening and reflective questioning. This helps individuals understand their emotions and eventually learn to use emotions to guide their behaviors constructively. The ultimate goal of EFT is to enhance awareness, regulation, and transformation of emotions for a more fulfilling emotional experience.

Who can EFT help?

EFT is most recognized for being a well-tested and effective intervention for couples. However, it also addresses individual issues like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress.

References: What is EFT? – ICEEFT, Emotionally Focused Therapy | Psychology Today, Emotion-Focused Therapy: What is it And How Does it Work?, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) can be defined as the practice of therapy, Emotion–Focused Therapy

Marcus Berley is a Self Space Seattle therapist who works with high-achieving people who want to access the deeper areas of their lived experience, including individuals who struggle to fully enjoy their success and couples who struggle to address conflict and cultivate a more intimate connection.