Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)

Healing Disconnection and Strengthening Emotional Bonds

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a deeply effective, evidence-based approach for helping individuals and couples build stronger, more secure emotional connections. Rooted in attachment theory and supported by decades of outcome research, EFT focuses on the underlying emotional dynamics that fuel disconnection, conflict, and distress in relationships.

Rather than targeting surface-level behaviors, EFT helps clients access and express their most vulnerable emotions—creating new patterns of trust, safety, and responsiveness in key relationships.

EFT is particularly well-suited for:

• Couples struggling with emotional distance, conflict, or recurring disconnection

• Individuals navigating attachment wounds, relationship anxiety, or emotional avoidance

• Those who long for deeper intimacy, but find it hard to feel safe or seen with others

Core elements of EFT include:

• Identifying and interrupting negative relational cycles (like pursue–withdraw or blame–defend patterns)

• Accessing and expressing core emotions in a safe, structured way

• Increasing emotional accessibility and responsiveness between partners or within the self

• Strengthening secure attachment bonds and relational resilience

• Facilitating repair, reconnection, and lasting emotional intimacy

EFT supports clients in moving from patterns of protection and reactivity to vulnerability, safety, and connection. In both individual and couples work, it offers a powerful framework for healing relational wounds, transforming conflict, and fostering more fulfilling emotional closeness.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a research-backed modality used by Dr. Lauren Helm at Rise Psychology to help couples and individuals strengthen emotional bonds, improve attachment security, and create lasting relational change through greater vulnerability and connection.