Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples
When You Want to Feel More Connected to Each Other
Relationships can become caught in patterns that leave you feeling distant, misunderstood, or stuck. Emotionally Focused Therapy helps couples understand the emotions and patterns beneath these struggles so they can create greater security, connection, and understanding.
What Is Emotionally Focused Therapy?
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a research-based approach to couples therapy that focuses on the emotional connection between partners. It helps couples understand the patterns they can become caught in and the emotions and needs beneath those patterns.
Rather than focusing only on the content of an argument, EFT helps couples explore what is happening underneath the conflict—including feelings of hurt, fear, loneliness, rejection, or a desire for reassurance and connection. With greater understanding of these underlying experiences, couples can begin to respond to one another in new ways and create a stronger sense of security and connection in their relationship.
EFT recognizes that relationship difficulties often develop through patterns between partners, rather than because one person is simply “the problem.” Therapy provides a space to slow those patterns down, understand what is happening between you, and work toward more meaningful and responsive ways of relating.
What Does Emotionally Focused Therapy Focus On?
Emotionally Focused Therapy looks beneath recurring conflicts to understand the emotions, needs, and patterns that shape how partners respond to one another. Depending on your relationship and goals, therapy may focus on:
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Understanding Your Patterns
Explore the cycles you and your partner can become caught in and how each person's responses can unintentionally keep those patterns going.
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Exploring Emotions Beneath Conflict
Look beyond anger or withdrawal to understand the more vulnerable emotions & needs that may be underneath difficult interactions.
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Expressing Your Needs
Develop ways to communicate important emotions, needs, and desires more openly so your partner has a greater opportunity to understand and respond to you.
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Responding With Greater Understanding
Learn to recognize and respond to your partner's emotional experiences with greater openness, compassion, and responsiveness.
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Strengthening Emotional Connection
Create opportunities for greater closeness, trust, and emotional security by developing new ways of connecting with one another.
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Creating New Relationship Patterns
Work together to shift cycles that leave you feeling stuck and develop more supportive ways of responding to one another.
Find a Therapist Who Feels Like a Good Fit
The relationship you build with your therapist matters. Our couples therapists bring different experiences, perspectives, and approaches to their work. If Emotionally Focused Therapy feels like a good fit for your relationship, explore the therapist who offers this approach and learn more about their work with couples.
FAQs
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EFT can help couples who feel stuck in recurring conflict, disconnected from one another, or unsure how to communicate their emotions and needs. It can also support couples who want to strengthen their emotional connection, trust, and sense of security within the relationship.
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EFT recognizes that communication and emotions are closely connected. Rather than focusing only on what couples say during conflict, EFT helps partners understand the emotions and needs beneath their interactions so they can communicate and respond to one another in more meaningful ways.
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EFT helps couples identify recurring cycles that can leave them feeling stuck or disconnected. By slowing these patterns down and developing a greater understanding of each partner's underlying emotions and needs, couples can practice new ways of responding and create more supportive patterns of connection.
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Yes. Sunflower Radiance provides Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples online, allowing couples to meet with their therapist virtually from a private and comfortable location.
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We accept many major health insurance plans. Your coverage and out-of-pocket cost will depend on your specific plan. View our current list of accepted insurance plans and fees—here. We also offer self-pay options for those without insurance or who prefer not to use their insurance.
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Step 1: Connect With Us
Take the first step by contacting us. We're here to answer your questions and help you get started.
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Step 2: We'll Guide You
Together, we'll help you find the therapist who is the best fit for your needs, goals, and preferences.
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Step 3: Begin Healing Together
Meet your therapist, build a trusting relationship, and begin working toward meaningful growth and lasting change.