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Emotion focused therapy

Our emotions hold the power to influence our reactions toward others and play an integral role in our personal relationships. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) examines the love and bonding habits of our parents toward us growing up — helping us identify our own patterns and emotional reactions with others as adults. By restructuring the ways we react to those we are close with, EFT is able to help us form deeper, more meaningful relationships.

The licensed professionals at Bhatia Psychology Group guide individuals, couples, and families through a series of steps to create more secure bonds, and develop healthier relationships. This form of therapy is effective at helping to identify our emotions, change our reactions in the face of distress, and identify negative behaviour patterns. EFT is helpful to the following areas:

Marriages

Romantic partnerships

Feelings of betrayal

Family bonds

Emotions

Stress, anxiety or depression

Interpersonal relationships

Loss of trust

Trauma

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EFT for healthy relationships

Adult relationships can take a lot of work. Individuals may react toward one another in ways that do not fully express their authentic feelings and emotions. When we fail to identify our underlying emotions and express them to those in our lives, it can create conflict and distance in our relationships. Rather than being open and honest with those we care about, it’s easy to fall into dysfunctional behaviour patterns based off feelings of fear, anger, betrayal, or mistrust.
At Bhatia Psychology Group, we use emotion
focused therapy to help bring a deeper level of trust, honesty, and openness into your connections with others. By exploring the attachment style of your parents and identifying similar patterns in your current adult relationships, our therapists can teach you techniques that support closeness, rather than discord in your relationships.

Frequently asked questions

Emotion focused therapy
Does emotion focused therapy (EFT) work?
EFT is incredibly effective and backed by over 20 years of
empirical research with high success rates. Ultimately, the amount
of work put into therapy will determine the outcome.
Are there any contraindications to EFT?
The primary contraindication to EFT is ongoing abuse in a relationship. Short-term contraindications include any condition that results in a lack of control over emotions, such as panic disorder, impulse disorder, etc. In these cases, the conditions can be treated with emotion suppression therapy (EST), then phase two of treatment will consist of EFT.
What is EFT's success rate with couples?
Research shows that 70-75% of couples are able to move from a state of distress into recovery through Emotional Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), which is a derivative of Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT). Approximately 90% of couples see significant improvements in their relationships.
What should I expect from my EFT sessions?
There are three stages or steps to EFT. The first is to de-escalate any negative interaction cycles. At this stage, the therapist helps individuals to see and understand what is happening within their relationship. Any insecurities or distance between the two will be identified.

The second stage involves restructuring interactions. During this step, the therapist teaches the clients to effectively discuss their fears in the relationship using healthy communication skills. Clients learn to turn toward one another, rather than away from each other, and engage in open and honest discussions.

The third stage is consolidation. This involves pinpointing negative patterns in the relationship and identifying how these patterns were able to be changed through conversation, as well as how to couple can turn to these techniques in the future to avoid repeating the cycles.

How Long Does EFT take?
The length of time required for treatment will vary from one individual to the next and can be best determined by your therapist. Typically, research shows us that 16-20 weekly sessions are required. In the case of treating depression, this length of treatment showed a 75% success rate.
How is my progress measured?
Progress for EFT is measured by both the clients and therapists involved as it relates to one’s ability to achieve the outcomes desired in each of the three steps. Once a person is able to honestly identify his/her emotions in each situation, that is considered a success, and stage two is then initiated.

In stage two, progress is measured by one’s ability to effectively communicate these feelings to others in ways that are not offensive or off-putting. Once such progress is achieved, stage three is initiated, which involves identifying emotional response patterns and seeing how they impacted relationships, and how new patterns are forming to nurture stable, connected bonds.

Will I see results right away?
While everyone will react to therapy differently, it’s important not to put too much pressure on seeing your desired results immediately. This form of therapy has stages and should be taken one week at a time. Focus on stage one first, and be patient with yourself and others. If you are consistent, by the end of your stage three sessions you should be well on your way toward experiencing the types of relationships you desire.
What level of participation is expected?
EFT requires active participation from all parties involved (whether individual, couples or families) as well as your therapist. The more honest you are about your true emotions and the better you can identify attachment styles from your past, the greater the impact will be on your relationships.
Why choose Bhatia Psychology Group?
Our team of clinical professionals use EFT, as well as various other evidence-based practices, to help support you on your journey toward developing deep and meaningful connections with others. In turn, this helps to overcome feelings of depression, anxiety, stress, and emotional turmoil. Contact us to learn if EFT is the right therapeutic method for you.