Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
What is Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)?
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) is a humanistic, evidence-based therapy that helps people better understand and regulate their emotions. It is based on the idea that emotions are central to our sense of self, relationships, and overall wellbeing.
Instead of avoiding or suppressing emotions, EFT supports you to process them in healthy ways, uncover their meaning, and use them as a guide for personal growth and healing.
How Can Emotion-Focused Therapy Help You?
Emotion-Focused Therapy can be helpful if you struggle with:
- Intense emotions (anger, sadness, shame, fear)
- Feeling emotionally “stuck” or numb
- Relationship conflict or communication difficulties
- Low self-worth or self-criticism
- Past emotional injuries or trauma
- Anxiety, depression, or stress
By learning to connect with and transform your emotions, Emotion-Focused Therapy helps you develop resilience, self-compassion, and more fulfilling relationships.
What to Expect in Emotion-Focused Therapy Sessions
In Emotion-Focused Therapy sessions, you will:
- Explore emotional patterns in a safe, supportive environment
- Learn to identify and name your emotions more clearly
- Recognise how emotions are linked to unmet needs
- Practice new, healthier ways of expressing and responding to feelings
- Work through emotional “blocks” that may be holding you back
- Strengthen your ability to self-soothe and regulate emotions
Sessions are warm, collaborative, and tailored to your unique needs.
Benefits of Emotion-Focused Therapy
With Emotion-Focused Therapy, you may experience:
- Greater emotional awareness and understanding
- Improved ability to manage and regulate emotions
- Healing from past emotional wounds
- Stronger and healthier relationships
- Increased self-acceptance and compassion
- Reduced anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms
If you’d like to feel more in control of your emotions, heal from the past, and strengthen your relationships, Emotion-Focused Therapy could be the right approach for you.
The Evidence for Emotion-Focused Therapy
Emotion-Focused Therapy is backed by strong scientific evidence across a range of issues, for example:
- The effectiveness of short-term EFT for individuals has been demonstrated in several research projects, including a 2022 systematic review confirmed EFT’s effectiveness in treating depression, showing significant long-term improvements (Greenberg & Watson, American Psychologist, 2022).
- Emotion-Focused Therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy for a range of psychological problems.
- EFT research has found it to be highly effective for couples therapy, improving relationship satisfaction and reducing conflict (Wiebe & Johnson, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2021).
- Research also highlights EFT’s benefits for trauma and emotional regulation difficulties, helping clients rebuild a secure sense of self (Paivio & Pascual-Leone, Psychotherapy Research, 2023).
- A 2024 research review summarises new developments and applications of EFT.
FAQ’s about Emotion-Focused Therapy
Is Emotion-Focused Therapy the same as couples therapy?
Emotion-Focused Therapy is widely known for its success in couples therapy, but it’s also highly effective for individuals and families.
How is Emotion-Focused Therapy different from CBT?
While CBT focuses on thoughts and behaviours, EFT places emotions at the centre of change, helping you heal and grow by working directly with your feelings.
How long does Emotion-Focused Therapy take?
Some people notice changes within a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term therapy, depending on their needs.
What if I’m not comfortable talking about my emotions?
That’s completely normal. Emotion-Focused Therapy is a gentle process that helps you gradually feel safer and more confident in exploring emotions at your own pace.
Michelle van Namen is a registered Psychologist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Life Coach and Integrative Health Practitioner with over 30 years of experience working with human behaviour and improving mental health. Michelle has been trained in a broad range of evidence-based therapies. She has worked in a variety of roles within private practice, corporate organisations, education, research, and community crisis support. Established in 2006, Integrated Health Specialists is her psychology practice located on the Gold Coast, providing individual and couples therapy for adults. Michelle focuses on providing a warm, authentic and non-judgemental therapeutic space to support clients and facilitate healing and personal growth. Read more about Michelle.
BA (Hons) in Psychology: University of Wollongong, 1995
Registered Psychologist with the Psychology Board (AHPRA) PSY0001395059
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPI) 15525
Qualifications verified by Psychology Today
Medicare and Health Insurance Provider.