Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a therapy that was developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, a Canadian psychologist, in the early 1980s. It is used to address distress in intimate partner relationships, families, and individuals who may struggle with issues like depression, anxiety, or trauma.
EFT is often used in couples therapy, but it can help anyone who suppresses their emotions so much that emotional suppression begins negatively affecting their health. Avoiding these emotions in the long term can negatively affect your ability to process emotions and navigate life.
The majority of people who struggle with addiction began abusing drugs or alcohol to cope with–or suppress–negative emotions like grief and loss, anxiety, depression, or trauma. EFT aims to bring awareness to these emotions, develop healthy coping strategies to manage those emotions, and improve social, familial, and intimate relationships.
The driving belief behind the use of emotionally focused therapy is that a person’s emotions are closely linked to their identity and sense of self. In other words, emotions play a huge role in personal preferences, decision-making, and thought processes. By gaining control over your emotions and learning how to regulate them in a healthy way, you can eliminate the need for drugs or alcohol.
