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.
How Does Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Work?
Therapists can facilitate emotionally-focused therapy in both group and individual settings. During these sessions, you will work closely with your therapist to address buried or suppressed emotions that contribute to your substance abuse. Your therapist will listen with compassion and never judge you, but he or she will ask questions that require you to self-reflect.
Reflection will help you develop greater awareness and acceptance of your emotions. It will also help you gain insight into how you can prevent these emotions from causing negative outcomes, such as abusing drugs or alcohol.
While EFT may be uncomfortable at first, it is helpful for your recovery if you let your emotions flow freely. Don’t hold anything back from your therapist or try to hide the way that you feel. Your therapist will also encourage you to be open and welcoming to all emotions–even negative ones. Learning how to explore and understand your emotions can help you regulate them so they don’t overwhelm you in stressful situations.
The most important thing to remember during EFT is that you move at your own pace. Your therapist may help guide you toward addressing painful emotions, however, they will not push you to explore feelings that you aren’t ready to explore.
After getting more in touch with your emotions, your therapist will help you develop coping strategies that are healthy and productive rather than harmful. The ultimate goal is to promote emotional regulation using healthy coping skills rather than by using drugs or alcohol.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy at Moving Mountains Recovery
Our approach at Moving Mountains Recovery revolves around emotionally-focused therapy. By addressing buried emotions, we help clients heal from the root causes of their addictions.
All EFT sessions are led by trained mental health professionals. Our clinicians are compassionate and nonjudgmental with all clients, making everyone feel safe, comfortable, and supported. Throughout treatment, clients come to terms with suppressed emotions, address trauma and other underlying issues like unhealthy attachment or abandonment issues, and develop practical coping skills that can be incorporated into their daily lives.
Find Help Today
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, know that help is available. Call now to speak with a qualified admissions coordinator to begin your recovery journey.
