What Is Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)? How Tuning Into Your Emotions Can Transform Healing

We often hear messages like:

“Don’t be so emotional.”

“Just think positive.”

“You’re overreacting — move on.”

But here’s the truth: healing doesn’t happen by bypassing emotions — it happens by going through them.

That’s where Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) comes in.

What Is Emotion-Focused Therapy?

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) is a humanistic, evidence-based approach that helps individuals, couples, and families transform difficult emotional patterns by working directly with feelings — not just thoughts or behaviours.

Founded by Dr. Leslie Greenberg and Dr. Sue Johnson, EFT is rooted in the idea that emotions are core drivers of human experience — and that when we access, process, and make sense of them, we create lasting change.

Key Principles of EFT

Emotions Are Essential

Emotions aren’t just “reactions” — they carry important information about what we need, value, and long for.

We Heal By Accessing Emotion

Simply talking about feelings isn’t enough. EFT helps you access and experience emotions in the body, so they can shift and transform.

Old Patterns Can Be Rewritten

Many of our emotional patterns were shaped in early relationships. EFT helps us update these patterns by creating new emotional experiences — whether with ourselves or with important others.

What Happens in EFT Therapy?

In an EFT session, your therapist will help you:

Slow down and notice what you’re feeling underneath the surface

Identify emotional patterns that keep you stuck (like withdrawing, criticizing, or shutting down)

Create space to explore primary emotions (like fear, sadness, longing) that often hide beneath secondary reactions (like anger or numbness)

Learn to express vulnerable emotions in a safe, supported way

For couples, this means moving away from blame and toward connection.

For individuals, it means developing emotional awareness and self-compassion.

What Does EFT Help With?

EFT has been shown to help with:

• Relationship distress and conflict

• Attachment wounds and insecurities

• Depression and anxiety

• Trauma and emotional injuries

• Emotional numbness or overwhelm

• Healing from loss or betrayal

It’s especially known for its effectiveness in couples therapy, helping partners reconnect emotionally, heal old wounds, and build a secure bond.

Why People Love EFT

It’s deeply human — focused on what you feel, not just what you think

It creates meaningful change by shifting emotional patterns, not just solving surface problems

It offers a clear map for healing attachment injuries and relationship struggles

It builds emotional resilience and confidence, not just temporary relief

Is EFT Right for You?

If you:

Struggle to understand or express your emotions

Feel stuck in negative patterns with yourself or a partner

Want to heal attachment wounds or old relational injuries

Are ready to engage with your emotions in a supportive space

…Emotion-Focused Therapy may offer the healing path you’ve been looking for.

You don’t have to navigate painful emotions alone. With the right support, your feelings can become a source of clarity, connection, and transformation.