Emotion Focused Therapy Toronto

Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)

In the 1980s, Drs. Sue Johnson and Les Greenberg developed emotion-focused therapy (EFT) to assist people in learning how to interact in more responsive and emotionally connected ways. EFT is an attachment and evidence-based approach to individual therapy that aims to help people create a more secure attachment bond in their relationships, by increasing their sense of security, closeness, and connection, while reinforcing pre-existing positive relationship bonds.

EFT, which draws on person-centered therapy, can provide clients with an empathetic, non-judgemental therapist who will validate their perspective and experiences, creating a safe space to explore their vulnerabilities, and the origin and dynamics of their emotions within relationships. However, EFT cannot change emotions merely by talking about them and understanding their origins; rather, emotions will be more receptive to change once they are experienced in the here-and-now in session. Therefore, helping clients become more aware of their own emotions, as well as other’s underlying emotional and attachment needs, means helping them to listen and discuss problems from a place of empathy and logic, rather than a place of defensiveness or anger. This can elicit new emotional responses, gradually changing the negative interpersonal dance between clients and others.