Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) continues to grow in popularity thanks to all the benefits it can provide. EFT can benefit couples, individuals, and even families when it comes to building better relationships and attachment styles.
The root of EFT is to better understand your emotions. Gaining awareness of those emotions will make it easier to understand them, so you can learn how to cope with certain things and manage your emotions in healthy, effective ways.
While EFT gets plenty of attention nowadays, there’s one question you might still have when it comes to the practice: what is an EFT practitioner? What is their role, and what will they do to help you?
Let’s take a closer look at the role of an EFT practitioner and why they’re so essential to the success of this therapy.
What to Expect from EFT Sessions
What to expect from a typical Emotionally Focused Therapy session depends largely on whether you’ll be there yourself or as a couple. However, many of the principles remain the same.
EFT is unique in that it involves steps and stages. The three stages are:
- De-escalation
- Changing interaction patterns
- Consolidation and integration
Throughout each stage, you’ll go through a series of steps to help you move forward. For example, in the de-escalation stage, you’ll focus on any areas of concern and how negative emotional patterns could be damaging your relationship(s).
Because of these stages, you can expect something slightly different out of each session. The role of the practitioner/therapist, however, is incredibly important to keep you moving forward from step to step and onto the next stage.
What Is the Role of an EFT Practitioner?
So, what does an EFT practitioner actually do to help you through those stages?
The main objective of the therapist is to help you build awareness of your emotions. The first thing they will do is simply observe. If you’re there with a partner or your family, they’ll observe the natural dynamic between you. If you’re an individual, the practitioner will talk to you about any current emotional issues you’re dealing with. From those issues, they will help you uncover emotions you might have been trying to bury—or some you didn’t know you had.
Once you start to see those emotions and let them come to the surface, it can feel a little overwhelming.
Thankfully, an EFT practitioner will help you work through those emotions and learn how to express them in healthy, effective ways.
You’ll learn how to express yourself in a way that connects you with reality, rather than causing disconnecting attachment issues to a partner or family member.
Additionally, you’ll learn about new ways of listening and processing the emotions and feelings of those people, so you’ll establish a greater understanding of what they need and how to respond.
What Should You Look For in an EFT Practitioner?
As the popularity of EFT grows, all it takes is a quick search online and you’re likely to find several practitioners in your area.
How can you determine which one is right for you?
Start by looking at therapists who specialize in EFT or have a lot of experience with it. Credentials are important and can make a big difference in how smoothly your sessions go.
At the end of the day, however, the most important factor when deciding on an EFT practitioner is how comfortable you feel with them. It’s always harder to open up and show vulnerability when you’re struggling to connect with your therapist.
If you’re interested in learning more about EFT or you’re ready to book an appointment, feel free to contact me. I’m happy to answer any questions you might have while working to get to know each other, to ensure you’re comfortable moving forward.