Dealing with anxiety can be an exhausting and overwhelming experience that impacts every aspect of your life. You might have tried several coping strategies or pharmaceutical interventions, but nothing seems to work. Thankfully, there is a type of therapy that may be a game-changer in your journey toward healing and recovery. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) is a powerful, evidence-based approach that has helped thousands of people release the grip of anxiety and reclaim their lives. In this blog, we will explore EFT and how it can benefit adults with anxiety.
What is Emotionally-Focused Therapy?
Emotionally-Focused Therapy is a short-term, holistic approach that aims to help individuals regulate their emotions, overcome negative patterns of thinking, and improve their relationships. It focuses on addressing emotional barriers to physical and cognitive responses to anxiety. As such, EFT can be particularly helpful for those who have experienced trauma or attachment issues. The primary principle of EFT is that our emotions are responses to unmet needs and past hurts in our relationships. Psychotherapy tries to create a safe space where those emotions are explored and expressed. By addressing key emotional needs and processing past hurts, individuals can identify and transform their problematic patterns and relieve their anxiety symptoms.
How Does EFT Treat Anxiety In Adults?
In EFT, anxiety is not seen as a standalone disorder. It is rather a response to underlying emotional unmet needs that have not been adequately addressed. EFT therapists take time to understand how anxiety manifests for the individual and what it’s trying to communicate about their unmet needs. By making sense of the client’s inner struggles and underlying beliefs, psychotherapists can target intervention approaches to improving the client’s anxious tendencies. EFT helps individuals learn new ways of coping with emotional distress and identifying and communicating their needs to their social networks effectively. It creates a deeper understanding and awareness surrounding the client’s emotional responses to trigger situations, and helps them to label and dissect different emotional responses, and the underlying thought patterns in these responses. As accountability is assigned and reassurance is given through EFT, clients often find their triggers less threatening, which lessens the panic response and over time decreases anxiety rates.
What Can An Adult Expect in EFT Sessions?
In EFT sessions, you may be asked to reflect on your past and present relationships, beliefs, and responses to triggers. The therapist provides guidance and support to understand, transform, and manage negative thoughts and emotional reactions. EFT does also involve the exploration of the feelings and values that motivate anxiety and other negative emotions in the client. The therapist will use tools and experiential techniques, including visualization, emotion tracking, and reflective conversation to help clients process their emotions effectively. Even though EFT is a relatively short-term therapy, it can have long-lasting impacts, producing significant shifts in how clients experience themselves, others, and their emotional responses.
What Are The Benefits Of Emotionally-Focused Therapy For Adults With Anxiety?
Emotionally-focused therapy (EFT) is a form of counselling that has shown promising results in helping adults with anxiety. This modality focuses on improving emotional regulation and attachment bonds to reduce anxiety symptoms. EFT counsellors believe that anxiety and other negative emotions arise from unmet attachment needs, and work to create secure emotional connections that promote healing and growth. In EFT sessions, the therapist works collaboratively with the client to identify triggers and build skills to manage and overcome anxiety. EFT can be a powerful tool for those seeking counselling for anxiety, helping them to develop more positive and fulfilling relationships with themselves and others.
How Long Does Emotionally-Focused Therapy Take To Work For An Adult Suffering/Dealing With Anxiety?
Emotionally-Focused Therapy, or EFT, is a specialized form of psychotherapy that aims to address emotional distress and improve relationship patterns. When it comes to addressing anxiety in adults, EFT can help individuals to become more aware of their emotional needs and learn how to communicate them effectively. However, the amount of time it takes for EFT to work can vary depending on a number of factors, including the individual’s readiness and willingness to participate, the severity of their anxiety, and the skill of the therapist. Generally, EFT can be effective in as little as 8-20 sessions, but some individuals may require longer counselling periods to fully experience the benefits of this form of therapy. Ultimately, working with an experienced counsellor who is well-versed in EFT can help individuals to achieve a greater understanding of their emotions, build stronger relationships, and manage their anxiety in a healthy and sustainable way.
How Do I Know If Emotionally-Focused Therapy Is The Right Treatment For An Adult With Anxiety?
Emotionally-focused therapy can be an effective treatment option for adults with anxiety. This type of psychotherapy focuses on exploring and processing emotions, while also improving communication and connection within relationships. A skilled therapist can help an individual with anxiety identify and understand their emotions, leading to increased self-awareness and the ability to manage anxious thoughts and behaviors. During counselling sessions, the therapist will guide the individual through exercises designed to identify and address underlying emotional needs and patterns. Ultimately, if you are struggling with anxiety and seeking a more effective treatment option, emotionally-focused therapy may be a beneficial approach for you to consider with the help of a qualified therapist.
In conclusion, EFT is a clinically proven treatment option for adults with anxiety. Its focus on emotional regulation, identifying underlying issues, and reshaping the beliefs that hinder healing and anxiety relief can provide hope and freedom. As with any therapy, success in EFT is based on the willingness and dedication of the client to engage in the therapy process. When you are ready to take the first step towards healing and long-term change, seeking the guidance of an EFT therapist could be the game-changer that you need.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Sarah Jackson, BBA, MACP, RP (Qualifying), or another Kitchener psychotherapist at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
