What Is Emotion-Focused Therapy?
Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps you identify and express your emotions in a healthy way. EFT is based on the understanding that emotions are a natural part of human life and on the importance of accepting both negative and positive emotions. EFT focuses on helping you express these negative and positive emotions to help improve your relationships, work, and mental well-being.
EFT is effective in treating a wide range of conditions, such as:
Ask your therapist for more information on how the process of EFT would work for you and how it can help you with improving your quality of life.
How Does Emotion-Focused Therapy Work?
Our thoughts live in our mind; however, our emotions live in our body. If we only try to think about our lives, rather than feel, we may miss out on a large range of important human experiences.
EFT helps us identify our emotions. EFT is an integral part of Phase 2 of Liz’s Method. After moving through Phase 1 and learning to regulate, our emotions become important tools in our lives. Feelings can show us what is important to us and provide us with guidance for next steps.
Learning to listen to and use our emotions, we become sovereign. Because there is no better guide than that of our feelings. However, we want to respond, not react to our feelings. EFT helps us do that.
The process of EFT includes:
- Identifying your emotions: Being able to identify and name your emotions is important to understanding yourself and making better choices in all areas of your life.
- Understanding your emotions: Understanding your emotions is important to understand what causes your emotions, how they affect your behavior, and to be able to act rationally.
- Express your emotions: Expressing your emotions helps you be able to move forward from them and not allow them to control your life. Repressed emotions have a large negative effect on your mental health, while expressed emotions allow you to manage your life more effectively.
EFT is a short-term, goal-oriented therapy, and most people see results after a few sessions.
What Are the Types of Emotion-Focused Therapy?
There are three types of EFT, including:
- Individual EFT
- Couples EFT
- Family EFT
All forms of EFT operate under the core principles of emotions being integral to well-being in all areas of life.
Embrace Healing The Power of Trust in Therapeutic Relationships
“In my experience, the most effective aspect of therapy is the therapeutic relationship. Establishing trust between a client and clinician is the first step to healing.”
Is Emotion-Focused Therapy Effective?
Based on the research, “EFT was more effective than other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), for reducing depression symptoms. The average effect size for EFT was 0.70, which is considered to be a large effect size.” (Elliott et al., 2013). Another study supported that “EFT was more effective than other treatments for reducing anxiety symptoms. The average effect size for EFT was 0.65, which is considered to be a large effect size.” (Elliott et al., 2011).
What Are the Limitations of Emotion-Focused Therapy?
EFT is an effective therapy for a wide range of conditions; however, it may not be appropriate for cases such as:
- Extreme mental health conditions
- Clients who are looking for a quick fix
- Clients who are not open to change
Any type of therapy requires your participation. To get the most effectiveness from any therapy intervention, it is important to remain open, honest, and willing.
How to Find an Emotionally-Focused Therapist?
To find an EFT therapist, you can:
- Ask your primary care provider (PCP) for a referral
- Read reviews online
- Read therapists’ bios to learn more about them
- Consider the therapists’ experience and approach
- Schedule a session and meet with a therapist in person
EFT is a collaborative therapy and is highly effective for a wide range of conditions. EFT can help you feel more self-aware, connected with others, and in control of your life.
Liz and her team of experienced therapists, who are trained in her proven method, can guide you through using EFT to become grounded, calm, and use your feelings as the GPS for your life and wellbeing.
If you are interested in learning more about EFT therapy, or if you would like to find an EFT therapist in Brickell, Downtown Miami and West Palm Beach, contact us today to schedule a session.