About Couples Therapy
What is Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy?
Rekindle Connection, Heal Hurt, and Build Lasting Intimacy
Do you feel like your relationship is stuck in a cycle of misunderstanding, emotional distance, or repeated conflict? It’s not uncommon for couples to feel disconnected or overwhelmed by life’s challenges. Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) offers a proven path to repair and deepen your bond.
Developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, EFT is a structured, research-backed approach to couples therapy. With decades of evidence supporting its effectiveness, EFT is recognized as one of the most successful methods for helping couples move from distress to connection.
75% of couples report moving from distress to recovery.
90% of couples report significant improvements in their relationship.
At its core, EFT is about helping couples understand and meet each other’s emotional needs. It’s not just about resolving conflict; it’s about creating a relationship built on security, trust, and mutual support.
How EFT Works: The Journey to Connection
EFT is rooted in attachment theory, which highlights our innate need to feel emotionally safe and connected with our partners. When these needs are unmet, couples often fall into negative cycles—a recurring dance of conflict and misunderstanding.
In EFT, you and your therapist will work together to:
Identify Negative Patterns: Recognize the cycle that keeps you stuck, such as withdrawing or escalating conflict, and understand how it’s rooted in deeper emotional needs and fears.
Explore Vulnerabilities: Discover and express the emotions driving your interactions—such as fear of rejection, loneliness, or a longing to feel valued.
Restructure Connection: Learn to communicate these emotions in a way that fosters empathy, trust, and closeness, rather than conflict or distance.
Consolidate Change: Strengthen these new patterns of connection so they become the foundation of your relationship moving forward.
EFT isn’t about blaming or “fixing” anyone—it’s about understanding each other better and creating a partnership where both people feel seen, heard, and valued.
Who can benefit from EFT?
EFT is designed for couples at all stages of their relationship, whether you’re newly together, navigating a major life transition, or healing after years of disconnection. It’s particularly effective for:
Frequent Arguments: If your relationship feels like a constant cycle of conflict, EFT helps uncover the root causes of these disagreements and fosters healthier communication.
Emotional Distance: Feeling distant or disconnected? EFT helps couples bridge the gap, rekindle intimacy, and feel emotionally close again.
Communication Breakdowns: EFT teaches couples how to express their needs and emotions openly, reducing misunderstandings and fostering mutual empathy.
Healing After Betrayal: Whether it’s infidelity or another form of broken trust, EFT provides a framework to rebuild emotional safety and trust.
Navigating Life Transitions: From becoming parents to relocating or retiring, EFT helps couples stay connected through significant life changes.
Trauma and Loss: EFT supports couples where one or both partners have experienced trauma, helping them build a secure relationship that nurtures healing.
Enhancing Sexual Intimacy: Emotional closeness often leads to better physical intimacy. EFT addresses the emotional factors impacting sexual connection.
What happens in an EFT Session?
Each EFT session is designed to create a safe, supportive environment where both partners feel heard and understood. You can expect to:
Map Your Cycle: Identify the patterns that keep you stuck in conflict or disconnection.
Explore Deep Emotions: Uncover the emotions and unmet needs fueling these patterns, such as fears of rejection or longing for closeness.
Create New Patterns: Learn to communicate in a way that fosters understanding and emotional safety.
Strengthen Your Connection: Build lasting patterns of trust and connection, creating a secure and fulfilling relationship.
Example Techniques Used in EFT:
Tracking the Present Cycle: Understanding how specific interactions trigger emotional responses.
Working in the Moment: Exploring live emotions and reactions as they occur in the session.
Reframing Conflict: Helping partners see misunderstandings as opportunities for connection, rather than blame.
Building Secure Attachment: Focusing on what each partner needs to feel safe, valued, and connected.
Why choose EFT?
EFT is different from traditional "talk therapy" approaches. It’s deeply experiential, focusing on the emotional needs and vulnerabilities that drive behavior. Research shows it’s not only highly effective but also long-lasting—helping couples build a bond that can withstand life’s challenges.
If you feel stuck, disconnected, or unsure of how to move forward in your relationship, EFT offers a proven path to healing and transformation.
Take the First Step Toward Connection
Are you ready to break free from negative patterns and rediscover the love and connection in your relationship? EFT can help you turn conflict into understanding, disconnection into closeness, and fear into trust.
💌 Book a session today or schedule a weekend intensive to focus on your relationship. The change you’re looking for starts here.