EFT stands for Emotionally Focused Therapy. If you haven’t heard of EFT before, you could be missing out on a particular type of therapy that can break negative behavioral patterns in your life, and help you learn more about your emotions.
EFT is nothing new. It was developed in the 1980s as part of a study on adult attachment. Since then, it’s been used to treat various conditions for individuals and help struggling couples and families.
Let’s take a closer look at Emotionally Focused Therapy, what to expect from it, and how it can benefit you depending on your situation.
What to Expect From EFT
What you’re likely to get out of EFT largely depends on whether you’re using it as an individual, as a couple, or as part of a family.
As an individual, EFT can help you identify and make sense of your emotions. The basis of the therapy is that your emotions have a greater impact on your behaviors than you might think. Learning to understand and accept those emotions can make a big difference in how you see life and how you act. You’ll also learn to identify negative thought patterns that have you feeling “stuck”.
Eventually, you’ll be able to reframe your ideas as you start to develop better emotional regulation skills. This allows you to break free from negative patterns and cycles, and learn how to express yourself in healthier ways in the future.
If you’re going through EFT as a couple or family, the process is somewhat similar. The goal is to identify negative patterns within your relationship so you can learn what’s causing them and how to break them.
Often, EFT focuses on attachment issues. For example, if you’re struggling in your relationship, your therapist might start to dive into your attachments from childhood. What you experienced as a child can have a huge influence on your relationships now. If you had an insecure attachment or a toxic relationship with your caregivers, that could be the culprit, causing so many negative patterns in your relationships.
Who Is EFT For?
EFT can help almost anyone who is having a hard time with their emotions. If you feel like you don’t fully understand your own feelings or you express yourself in unhealthy ways, EFT can help you make sense of everything.
It’s also used for individuals going through a variety of mental health issues, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma
- Eating disorders
If you’re concerned that your past is impacting your current relationship, or your family has negative patterns that you can’t seem to break, EFT can be useful and help you work through things without carrying all the weight on your shoulders.
Is EFT Right for You?
Chances are, if you’re reading this, you have at least some interest in Emotionally Focused Therapy. But, is it the right option for you?
Consider some of the benefits. EFT offers greater impulse control. It improves your overall emotional awareness. It also makes it easier to cope with unhealthy emotions often linked to depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
When it comes to couples and family therapy, EFT can also make you more empathetic. If that’s been an area of weakness for you, you might be surprised how much easier it is to break negative relationship patterns when you’re able to empathize with the people around you.
Interested in learning more about Emotionally Focused Therapy? There’s a lot to unpack, including what to expect from each of the phases. From de-escalation to integrating, EFT can put you in touch with your emotions, make it easier to manage behaviors, and help you break free from vicious cycles that could be hindering your romantic and familial relationships. Don’t hesitate to contact me for more information.