EFT
(EMOTIONALLY FOCUSED THERAPY)
EFT COUPLES COUNSELLING IN EDMONTON
EFT FOR COUPLES COUNSELLING
EFT was developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, a Canadian clinical psychologist. EFT draws on attachment and love. It's based on learning how to access your deep emotions, fears, and longings in terms of relationship.
EFT is primarily used in couples therapy to help both partners identify the negative interaction cycle that gets in the way of a deep, loving connection. Both partners learn how to change the way they respond to each other to foster a healthier, more effective communication pattern. You both will learn how to really understand each other's perspectives, as well as support and comfort each other in ways that really work. In session, you will gain a more in-depth understanding of your own emotions and needs, and learn how to express them so that your partner can actually hear you. Trust, emotional safety, and comfort are all strengthened as you attend couples therapy or marriage counselling together.
* Couples therapy research shows that EFT can significantly improve marital satisfaction, with lasting changes evident years after attending therapy (Beasley & Ager, 2019). Our Psychologists find it so rewarding to see couples unite and become even stronger than they were before. We are passionate about staying up to date with current research and the best therapeutic modalities for helping couples. Our Clinical Director loves attending couples therapy conferences in California and learning from the top Marital and Family Therapists in the industry. Our team also participates in couples therapy trainings and workshops on love and attachment.
For example:
You want to connect with your partner. You may try to express how you feel to your partner, but feel misunderstood or not heard at all. You may try to get louder and more clear so that your partner hears you, but this just pushes your partner further away or escalates your partner. You both become heated and frustrated. It's hard to see each other's point of view. The fight becomes worse and worse until one of you explodes. The fight may end with one of you walking away and distancing from the other. This could turn into the silent treatment and nothing ends up being resolved. You both are hurt and feel alone. This same cycle repeats itself throughout your relationship, creating a wedge in-between you. Each time it comes up, it is more difficult to stay hopeful and connected.
In couple's therapy, you learn how to break this cycle of hurt and replace it with a more positive communication pattern, leading to a deep emotional connection. Your relationship becomes a safe haven where you both can express what you really need from each other in a loving way. You both are met with open arms and feel reassured that your parter really is there for you no matter what. Â
EFT FOR INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELLING
EFT can also be used in individual and family therapy. You will gain more awareness about the connection that you have with yourself as well as others. You will learn to trust your own emotional experiences and discover a sense of self-worth and confidence. Throughout EFT therapy, you begin to establish a loving relationship with yourself and others, based on trust, safety, and understanding. You do matter and your needs are important.Â
 Love has an immense ability to help heal the devastating wounds that life sometimes deals us. Love also enhances our sense of connection to the larger world. - Dr. Sue Johnson
Therapists who specialize in Couples Therapy:
Cristina Orobio
Andrea Vera
Vanessa Goodchild
EFT FOR COUPLES COUNSELLING IN EDMONTON
References:
(2019). Emotionally focused couples therapy: A systematic review of its effectiveness over the past 19 years. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 16(2), 144-159. DOI: 10.1080/23761407.2018.1563013