What Is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) — and Why It’s So Effective for Couples
Reconnecting Through Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Relationships aren’t just built on communication—they thrive on connection. When that connection frays, couples can get stuck in cycles of conflict, silence, or emotional distance. That’s where Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) can help.
What Is EFT?
EFT is a short-term, evidence-based approach that helps couples rebuild emotional closeness. Rooted in attachment theory, it goes beyond surface-level issues to heal the emotional bond underneath.
Rather than focusing solely on problem-solving, EFT helps partners:
Understand the emotions beneath their arguments
Break negative patterns
Rebuild trust, intimacy, and security
Why EFT Works
When emotional safety is lost, couples often fall into reactive patterns:
One reaches out, the other shuts down
One criticizes, the other defends
These patterns feel personal, but they’re part of a cycle. EFT helps you recognize and shift these patterns, leading to deeper connection and healing.
Research shows that 70–75% of couples move from distress to recovery with EFT, and over 90% improve significantly. It’s especially effective for:
Emotional disconnection
Trust issues or infidelity
Communication breakdowns
High-conflict or trauma-affected relationships
The 3 Stages of EFT
1. De-escalation
Identify the negative cycle driving disconnection and shift from blame to understanding.
2. Restructuring the Bond
Share deeper, vulnerable emotions like “I feel unimportant,” or “I shut down because I’m scared.” This builds empathy and emotional safety.
3. Consolidation
Apply new ways of relating in daily life—disagreements feel less threatening, and both partners feel more secure and understood.
What Makes EFT Different?
Unlike other therapies, EFT:
Focuses on emotion as the key to healing
Addresses core needs like connection and belonging
Helps partners experience emotional repair in real time
Offers long-term results backed by strong research
Who Can Benefit?
EFT works for all couples—married or dating, young or old, LGBTQ+ or heterosexual. Whether you’re stuck in old patterns or simply feeling distant, EFT offers a powerful path to reconnection.
Start Rebuilding Today
If your relationship feels disconnected, Emotionally Focused Therapy offers hope. At Golden Wellness, our trained counsellors provide EFT in a supportive, non-judgmental space—helping you and your partner find your way back to each other.