Emotion Focused Therapy
Emotion Focused Therapy, or EFT, is a therapeutic approach based on the premise that emotions are key to identity, and that they guide our choices and decisions. EFT practitioners believe that lacking emotional awareness or avoiding unpleasant emotions can cause harm. Therapy thus aims to bring greater emotional awareness and the ability to cope better and thereby live more meaningful, healthy lives.
Emotion Focused Therapy, or EFT, is known to be effective in couples’ therapy, for individual challenges such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, and to help repair family bonds.
Research has shown that Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT) is an effective and evidence-based approach with more than 30 years of empirical research that shows that it can lead to positive changes. The therapy aims to help couples and individuals identify and understand the negative patterns and cycles that perpetuate relationship distress, while fostering the development of new, positive patterns of interaction.
With the help of a skilled therapist, Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) can improve the emotional distress we feel when our attachments with others go awry. It is based on the science of adult attachment - the striving we all have to bond with other humans in positive and healthy ways.
How Emotion Focused Therapy Works
In EFT, the therapist creates a safe and supportive environment for couples or individuals to explore their emotions, vulnerabilities, and needs.
EFT Therapists are collaborative, non-judgemental, and respectful of clients, and decide collaboratively with their clients on change strategies and interventions that are needed to bring greater connection and emotional health.
The therapy process typically involves three stages - in the initial stage, difficult emotions and negative relationship patterns that contribute to distress are identified. The therapist helps clients to recognise the underlying emotions and attachment needs driving these patterns.
In the second stage, the therapist guides couples, individuals or families to reshape their emotional responses and fostering new ways of relating that promote emotional security and connection.
The final stage focuses on consolidating the changes made and establishing new patterns of interaction that support a healthier and more satisfying relationship. Emotionally Focused Therapy has been shown to be highly successful in helping people build stronger emotional bonds, enhance communication, and restore trust, leading to long-lasting relationship satisfaction.
Why Emotion Focused Therapy Could be Right for You
EFT, a gentle yet structured form of psychological therapy, has been proven to help with the following conditions:
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Resolving interpersonal problems and relationship distress
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Increasing emotional awareness, and learning to accept, understand, appreciate and tolerate emotions rather than avoid them.
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Overcoming depression - EFT recognises that depression is often characterised by suppressed or unresolved emotions such as sadness, anger, or grief. A safe therapeutic space help understand and alleviate these so that depression can be resolved.
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Improving anxiety - EFT helps individuals explore and understand their anxiety triggers, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and gain a greater sense of emotional regulation.
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Overcoming the devastation of Post Traumatic Stress.
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Fostering forgiveness.
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Learning to overcome suppressing or avoiding emotions and learning to be more naturally attuned to them and the information they bring.
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Overcoming patterns of abuse.
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Learning to better regulate emotions in a safe, calming, validating, and empathic environment.
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Building greater distress tolerance by e.g. learning techniques to self-soothe.
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Downregulating highly distressing emotions and experiencing more positive ones on a daily basis.
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Growing as a person through reflection and self-insight.
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Overcoming early experiences of abuse, neglect, or abandonment or consistent experiences of being misunderstood as a child.
Therapy with Adelaide Psychologists
Our experienced, compassionate and skilled psychologists at Kensington Psychology can help you cope with the challenges of difficult emotions and relationships and assist you in living insightfully and joyfully with your emotions and in relationship with the people that matter to you.
We offer both in-person and telehealth sessions to meet you where you are at. Sometimes leaving home for an appointment can be exhausting when one isn't feeling well, or just can't find the time. We will do everything in our power to help you effectively and in a way that suits you. Please also rest assured that we adhere to strict confidentiality and anything you say to our psychologists is completely confidential – your family, friends and workplace have no way of knowing you are seeking therapeutic support unless you tell them.
Our friendly support team at Reception will be able to explain the different options available to you and how to go about obtaining a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, should you wish to access a Medicare rebate for your sessions.
Our focus is on you and your well-being, and we are committed to finding you the best Psychologist for your needs.
Adelaide Psychologists & Therapists
Get in touch with us...
We offer a comprehensive range of services to treat and nurture the body and mind and get you back on the path to health and well-being.
If you’re ready to reach out to the Kensington Psychology & Well-Being team, you can get in touch by calling us on 08 7006 5225 or via our Online Contact Form.