Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
In Marin County
Emotions are central to our identity and how we relate to others. When life gets tough or our relationships face challenges, we often disconnect from our deeper emotions. These emotions help us feel stable, safe, and connected.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) are methods that support individuals and couples in understanding, expressing, and healing through their emotional experiences. Grounded in attachment theory and years of research, these therapies offer a clear and compassionate way to improve emotional health and build more secure relationships.
What Is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)?
Emotionally Focused Therapy, or EFT, is a structured, evidence-based method that helps people understand how emotions affect their lives and relationships. Instead of avoiding or suppressing feelings, EFT encourages you to explore them safely and thoroughly.
Many individuals seek EFT because they feel disconnected—from themselves, their partner, or their sense of purpose. In therapy, we work together to identify the emotions behind reactions like anger, withdrawal, or anxiety. This process helps you build emotional awareness, develop self-compassion, and establish healthier ways of responding.
EFT is especially effective for:
Trauma recovery, by helping individuals process emotions that were too overwhelming to face alone
Anxiety and depression, where unacknowledged emotions often fuel distress
Personal growth, as clients learn to understand their emotional needs and communicate them clearly
EFCT is a couples-focused version of EFT, designed to help partners repair and strengthen their emotional connection. All couples go through moments of disconnection, but when these moments turn into patterns, they can damage trust, safety, and intimacy. EFCT helps couples identify these patterns, break the cycles that keep them stuck, and rebuild a sense of security in their relationship.
In EFCT, we focus on more than just arguments about chores, finances, or parenting. We dig into the emotions that drive those conflicts. Often, partners aren’t really fighting about “what happened” but about their deeper fears or needs—like the fear of being rejected, ignored, or not valued.
Through EFCT, couples learn to communicate in ways that foster closeness instead of distance. You’ll start to recognize each other’s emotional signals, express your needs clearly, and respond with kindness instead of defensiveness.
EFCT is particularly useful for:
Rebuilding trust after emotional or relational wounds
Improving communication and resolving conflicts
Restoring intimacy and emotional safety
Navigating challenges such as ADHD, trauma, or life changes within the relationship
What Is Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT)?
Why EFT and EFCT Work
Both EFT and EFCT are based on the science of attachment, which reflects our strong need for connection and safety in relationships. When these needs go unmet, we develop protective strategies, such as shutting down, criticizing, or withdrawing. These strategies make sense as coping mechanisms, but they can also keep us stuck.
Therapy offers a safe space to explore these protective patterns without judgment. As you become more aware of what drives them, you can start to respond differently—to yourself, your emotions, and your partner.
This process not only reduces distress but also changes how you experience yourself and your relationships. Many clients report feeling more present, confident, and connected after going through EFT or EFCT.
What to Expect in Therapy
Our work together starts by creating a safe space. Whether you come alone or with a partner, sessions are paced to ensure you feel grounded and supported. We will explore emotions at a comfortable pace, building trust along the way.
In individual sessions, EFT helps you reconnect with your feelings and uncover the patterns that hold you back. In couples sessions, EFCT helps you and your partner understand each other’s emotional needs, rebuild trust, and strengthen your relationship.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start, just a willingness to explore and grow.
Begin Your Journey Toward Connection
Healing starts with awareness. Whether you’re seeking to understand yourself more deeply or to rebuild connection in your relationship, EFT and EFCT can provide the roadmap.
If you’re ready to begin, I offer secure telehealth sessions across California, providing a safe, confidential, and convenient space to do this important work.
Reach out today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward emotional healing and deeper connection.