Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is best known as a type of intervention for couples. It’s great for helping partners and family members strengthen their bonds and improve communication.
However, EFT can also be used on individuals with good results, too.
Emotions impact almost everything in your life. They can influence the way you think, your perspective, and even your behaviors.
EFT can help you to see your emotions as important pieces of information, guiding you through your decisions. Rather than seeing your emotions as intense or painful, you’ll learn how to use them to combat mental health issues, including depression.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at what EFT for individuals is like, and whether it’s the right mental health management option for you.
Your Emotions Are the Key to Your Identity
Your Emotions Are the Key to Your IdentityWhen you start to realize that your emotions help to form your identity, you’re more likely to take EFT seriously. You can expect to be on an equal “level” with your therapist, working together to use your emotions to lead a more meaningful life.
So, what can you expect from EFT sessions?
Your sessions will typically center around the development of two important skills. First, you’ll become more aware of your own emotions. The more aware you are, the more accepting you’ll be. Rather than trying to ignore your emotions or “push” them down, you’ll be able to accept the fact that emotions always demand to be felt in some way or another.
The second skill you’ll learn is how to use your emotions as information.
When you stop trying to ignore your emotions, you’ll realize they’re telling you a lot. EFT can help you better understand what they’re saying, so you can use your emotions to make healthier decisions while avoiding negative behaviors.
Your initial sessions will focus on becoming more aware of your emotions and learning how to describe them in great detail. As you continue to the next phase, you’ll go as far as identifying the source of negative emotions and learning how to change them. You’ll be able to better decipher whether certain emotions are helpful or not, depending on the situation.
Is EFT Right for You?
We know that EFT works effectively for couples and families. But, is it the right choice for you as an individual? It’s been used to treat things like anxiety, depression, and the effects of abuse and neglect. It’s even been helpful for people with eating disorders and borderline personality disorders.
The one thing you’ll realize from EFT is just how much emotions can impact your mental well-being. When you start to recognize the toll negative emotions can take on your mental health, you’re more likely to start accepting those feelings and working through them, rather than trying to repress them.
One of the best things about EFT is that it isn’t necessarily a long-term therapy. Unlike many traditional forms of talk therapy, you’ll go through each session with a clear purpose and a sort of “agenda” as you go from better understanding your emotions to learning how to change the ones that are compromising your overall quality of life.
You don’t have to be in a relationship to take advantage of EFT. Maybe you don’t need to boost your bond with your partner or family, but you might need to become more in tune with your own emotions.
If that’s the case, feel free to contact me for more information. Or, set up an appointment as soon as possible. I’m happy to discuss a treatment plan with you. We’ll dive a little deeper into how EFT can help you understand and regulate your emotions.
