Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals, couples,
and families understand and navigate their emotional experiences to improve mental health
and relationships. Developed in the 1980s by Dr. Sue Johnson and Dr. Les Greenberg, EFT is
grounded in the principles of attachment theory and emphasises the importance of
understanding and transforming emotional responses to foster healthier connections with
oneself and others.
Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) is an evidence-based approach to helping people recognise,
express, and regulate their emotions. It is particularly effective for those experiencing
emotional distress, relationship difficulties, or unresolved trauma. EFT focuses on helping
individuals connect with their underlying emotional experiences and understand how these
emotions influence their behaviours and interactions.
Emotion-focused therapy's tenet is that emotions are fundamental to human experience
and provide important information about our needs, desires, and values. However, when
their emotions are misunderstood, ignored, or suppressed, they can lead to maladaptive
behaviours and patterns, especially in relationships. EFT helps clients access and process
these emotions to create meaningful change.
EFT revolves around three main principles:
1. Emotional Awareness: The first step in EFT is becoming aware of one's emotions.
Often, individuals are disconnected from their feelings, leading to confusion and
distress. EFT therapist helps their clients tune into their emotions to identify
what they are experiencing and why.
2. Emotional Expression and Regulation: Once the individuals are aware of their
emotions, the EFT therapist encourages them to express these emotions in a safe
and supportive environment. Expressing emotions helps individuals regulate and
make sense of their situations. This process helps reduce emotional distress and
promotes healthier emotional regulation.
3. Transforming Emotional Experiences: The ultimate goal of EFT is to help
individuals transform their emotional experiences. By understanding and
processing emotions, EFT therapist helps their clients navigate and, if necessary,
change their emotional responses and behaviours, leading to healthier
relationships and improved mental well-being.
Attachment theory is central to EFT. The therapy views emotional distress as a signal of
unmet attachment needs, such as the need for safety, security, and connection. EFT
therapists help their clients identify these unmet needs and gain insight into the way their
emotions manifest in their behaviours. By recognising and addressing these needs, EFT
helps clients develop more secure attachments and improve their relationships.
EFT is effective in working with individuals, couples and families.
• EFT for Individual Therapy: In individual therapy, EFT therapist helps clients
explore their emotional experiences, identify patterns of emotional avoidance or
overreaction, and develop healthier ways of processing and expressing emotions.
EFT is particularly relevant for individuals dealing with depression, anxiety,
trauma, or unresolved grief.
• EFT for Couples Therapy: EFT is well-known for its effectiveness in couples
therapy. It helps partners understand each other's emotional needs and
responses, fostering empathy and compassion. EFT enables couples to break
negative communication patterns and develop more secure and emotionally
fulfilling relationships.
• EFT for Family Therapy: In family therapy, EFT family therapist support family
members to navigate their emotions and understand the dynamics that
contribute to conflict or distance. EFT help improve communication and
strengthen family bonds by promoting emotional openness and understanding.
Restoring Peace is a private mental health centre which provides counselling and
psychotherapy services for children, adolescents, youths, adult individuals, couples and
groups with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and various mental health and relationship
challenges. For more information, please visit www.restoringpeace.com.sg or WhatsApp at
+65 8889 1848. For periodic updates, we invite you to join our telegram group:
Keywords: EFT, individual, family, couples, therapy, counselling, attachment, needs
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