Emotion Focused Couples Therapy
What is Emotion Focused Couples Therapy?
Emotion Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) is an evidence-based model that pulls from attachment theory, systemic therapy, and experiential therapy. EFCT guides couples in identifying negative patterns of interacting and assisting them in vulnerably sharing their deeper emotions that drive negative behaviors. In EFCT, couples go deeper than learning “I” statements; Couples experience turning towards each other in ways they have never experienced before, deeply and vulnerably sharing their feelings and needs.
My approach to couples therapy
I work with dating, premarital, and long-term committed and married couples. With over a decade of experience, I have experienced the most success when each partner is in their own individual therapy, understanding themselves in order to have a deeper understanding when they enter into the couples therapy room together. Due to my intensive systemic experience, I enjoy and prefer working with the entire system, meaning doing individual attachment work with each partner and being able to address their negative pattern together as a couple. By working with the whole system, I not only gain a deeper understanding of each partner, but I’m also able to reduce reactivity towards each other by addressing individual issues that our partner triggers. When I have both partners in the room together, I use EFCT to de-escalate conflict, get to deeper levels of communication, and create a safe and secure bond between partners.
Issues addressed in couples therapy
- Couples experiencing the same fight over and over again
- Dating couples working to understand if they can move forward in marriage/long term commitment or if they need to break up
- Couples that are willing to work on repairing after a betrayal or affair
- Couples looking to deepen their bond and build a stronger connection
It is unethical and unsafe for me to work with couples experiencing Domestic Violence. Safety has to be established before working with the couple. I will also not work with a couple where an active affair is occurring or where an affair has yet to be disclosed.
Book Recommendations
