This can be a tough time for many who struggle in their relationship. Everywhere you turn, there’s heart-shaped candy boxes, teddy bears, red roses and other painful reminders that your relationship just isn’t where you want it to be. As you hear about your friends’ Valentine’s Day plans for romantic getaways, candlelit dinners and the like, you may find yourself wondering if you can rekindle the spark in your relationship.
While every situation is unique, and success can’t be guaranteed, Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT), developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, may help. EFT is a research-based therapeutic approach with over four decades of results in improving relationships. Numerous research studies show that EFT significantly helps disconnected, conflicted couples establish — or reestablish — more loving and secure emotional bonds. EFT maintains a success rate of over 70%, and the treatment can often create lasting results in as little as 8 to 20 sessions (sessions typically last 60 to 90 minutes).
The EFT therapist maintains a neutral stance in the process and works to establish an alliance with both partners. There are no “bad guys” in treatment — it’s an emotionally safe and non-judgmental space. Within this context, the therapist helps the couple disrupt and reform their negative patterns of communication and emotional interactions.
The work of EFT helps clients identify and change their cycle of conflict — whatever that looks like for them. In treatment, each partner gains greater awareness and understanding of the emotions at the source of their negative patterns. As both partners learn to constructively manage their feelings and communicate their vulnerabilities, they create more loving interactions while rebuilding trust.
With more frequent positive interactions, the couple mends broken bonds and begins to heal. They’re then in a much better position to solve old problems as well as meet future challenges in a mutually supportive way. EFT can work even for couples with persistent and longstanding difficulties. Partners emerge from therapy with a new toolkit to help them cope with life’s challenges.
#CouplesTherapyOrlando is offering both in-person and teletherapy options during the pandemic. To learn if Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy might be right for you, call to schedule a complimentary phone consultation.
Don’t let all of the Valentine’s Day hoopla get you down. Many couples who feel like their best days are behind them have rejuvenated their relationship with EFT. It doesn’t happen overnight, but has happened over and over again for our clients.
By confronting problems head on and with a willingness and patience to put in the work, you and your partner could be in a completely different place by next February 14th. Put your relationship on a path to a better tomorrow. Call #CouplesTherapyOrlando today at 407-579-2070. And you can learn more about EFT by reading: Hold Me Tight by Dr. Sue Johnson.