The Power of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Elizabeth has chosen to be certified as an Emotionally Focused Therapist because EFT is one of the most effective approaches to couples counseling. Research studies have found that EFT helps 70-75% of couples significantly improve relationship satisfaction. How? EFT focuses on strengthening emotional intimacy between partners by helping them identify and share their deepest emotional needs.

Benefits and Outcomes of EFT

  • Improved communication. EFT teaches couples how to communicate in a vulnerable, heart-felt way that invites a positive response from their partner. Studies show EFT improves communication, decreases negative interactions, and helps couples resolve conflicts.
  • Increased emotional intimacy. EFT helps couples develop emotional closeness, vulnerability, and trust. One study found EFT increased intimacy for 83% of couples.
  • Secure attachment. EFT helps create a secure emotional attachment between partners, so each person feels comfortable depending on the other for support. 
  • Reduced distress. For couples experiencing conflict, distance or thoughts of divorce, EFT significantly decreases these troublesome dynamics. Research shows EFT reduces marital distress and negativity by an average of 45-70%.
  • High satisfaction. Studies show most couples who try EFT find the approach very helpful and meaningful. EFT receives high satisfaction and "consumer preference" ratings among the different types of couples therapy. 
  • Long-term success. Improvements gained during EFT tend to endure with couples maintaining benefits for as long as five years after EFT. 

EFT is Consistently Supported by Research

Over 25 years of studies confirm the effectiveness of EFT:

  • EFT meets guidelines for being an evidence-based treatment with support from numerous randomized studies. Research on EFT is among the strongest of any couples therapy.
  • A meta-analysis of 27 studies with randomized control trials (the “gold standard” for research) found EFT surpassed other approaches in decreasing marital distress and improving relationship adjustment.
  • EFT is widely applicable. Participants in the research studies represent diverse groups including couples who are distressed or non-distressed, married or unmarried, younger or older, and straight, gay, or lesbian.
  • Follow-up studies find treatment gains remain stable over 5 years, showing long-term impact.
Learn more about the research regarding EFT at ICEEFT, the International Center for Excellence in EFT.
Ready to take the next step? Contact Elizabeth to set up a phone call to see if there is a good match.