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Emotionally Focused Therapy

Emotionally Focused Therapy

Understanding EFT Couples Therapy

Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) is a structured therapy, typically lasting 10-20 sessions, sometimes more depending on the level of distress. Remarkably, research studies find that 90% of couples show significant improvement, and 70-75% progress from distress to recovery. We’ve witnessed this success with our couples and love EFT as a result.

Even if a therapist has advanced training in couples therapy, finding the right fit for you or your relationship is important. Our mission is to help you find the right therapist who best fits your unique needs.

Watch Susan Johnson, founder of EFT, describes the science of love, where love goes wrong, and how to fix it. Know if your relationship is in trouble and see the passion behind our therapists’ work!

Is My Relationship in Trouble?
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What is EFT?
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Who Can Benefit from EFT? (What about me?)

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a proven, structured method for couples therapy that targets the emotional patterns causing conflict and disconnection in relationships. By addressing the underlying fears, hurts, and needs behind these negative cycles, EFT helps couples break free from pain and distance, building stronger, healthier, and more secure relationships. This goes well beyond short-term behavioral change, to the core of their connection. Success is maintained long-term because a healthy connection fosters healthy communication, NOT the other way around. It’s just biology. And now have the key to unlock the power of lasting connection, if you’re ready.

I'M READY TO BOOK
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How EFT Works

EFT sessions are designed to help couples:

Understand Negative Cycles & De-escalate
Together, we identify the negative interaction patterns that keep you stuck, as well as the often hidden underlying emotions such has hurt, pain, fear, and numbness/dissociation.

Strengthen Attachment Bonds
EFT improves emotional communication and responsiveness, helping you create a more secure, lasting bond. It helps you know right where you go astray and how to find your way back to each other. Couples counseling through EFT not only strengthens your connection but can lead to greater passion, improved physical and mental health, and increased overall satisfaction in your relationship.

Deepen Emotional Connection
We help you access, organize, and THEN share your feelings in a safe, supportive environment, fostering deeper emotional intimacy. With deeper intimacy comes better communication, passion, & connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Choose Wolfe Counseling?

At Wolfe Counseling, our skilled therapists are trained and experienced in the EFT model (Emotionally Focused Therapy), a powerful approach to couples therapy. We bring a compassionate, supportive, and directive approach to every in person and virtual couples therapy session, aiming to help you not only resolve immediate concerns but also build a stronger, more fulfilling relationship for the long term. If you’re considering marriage counseling nearby or need support with relationship challenges, our team is here to help you heal, reconnect, and move forward together.

What Can I Expect?
  • A Safe, Judgment-Free Space: At Wolfe Counseling, we create an environment where both partners can feel heard and understood. Whether you’re in need of therapy for relationship issues or navigating the complexities of emotional distance, we ensure a space that allows for honest, open conversation. We never take sides—we simply support both of you.
  • A Directive Therapy Process: Ever had a therapist validate your feelings and leave out the “and how do we fix it” part? Our therapists are directive in helping couples turn towards each other in new, deeper, and more productive ways. Couples counseling is about making real progress, not just talking in circles. We customize our approach to meet your specific needs, whether you’re looking for relationship advice from a therapist or trying to strengthen your bond.
  • Lasting Results: EFT couples therapy has been shown to create long-term improvements in relationship satisfaction and emotional security. When you seek help through couples therapy near me or virtual marriage counseling, we focus on providing you with tools for lasting connection and communication.
Understanding EFT Couples Therapy Training

There are three levels of training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) that you will notice listed on our therapist profiles: Externship, Core Skills and Certification. It’s important to know what these levels of training are in choosing the right therapist for your needs, whether with us or someone else. All information below was taken directly from the accrediting body ICEEFT website.

  • Externship: A 24+ hour training that includes the observation of live and video recorded couple and individual therapy sessions, presentations of theory and clinical techniques, skills training exercises, and discussion of specific cases, clinical material and issues.
  • Core Skills: Next level of training after Externship that includes 48 hours of advanced training over four 2-day workshops. This training involves intensive instruction, practical exercises, and feedback.
  • Certification: Requires Externship and Core Skills completion, 8 hours of supervision by a Certified EFT Supervisor, 4 letters of recommendation, and review of therapy excerpts by ICEEFT (accrediting body).
  • Supervision: It is essential for therapists to consult with other professionals in their field of expertise to ensure they are not only sustaining, but also continually improving their skill. The more consultation and supervision a therapist engages in, the better therapy they often provide.

You will also notice that our therapists’ rates are discounted by 15% for 75 minute sessions. It is important to explore both partners’ perspectives and go to the depth needed for long-term core change. For these reasons, couples therapy is regularly conducted for 75 minutes instead of the typical 50 minute sessions individuals typically utilize. We want to make these longer sessions affordable for everyone and have discounted these rates to make them accessible to all. (If you plan to submit for insurance reimbursement, be sure to ensure 75 minute sessions are covered by your insurance.)

When to Choose Individual Therapy First

EFT and couples therapy are not the best forms of treatment for those suffering from active addiction, ongoing affairs, or abusive relationships. If you are dealing with these issues, we offer individual counseling to help you address these concerns first. Once the potential for harm is reduced, we can work toward couples counseling to help you heal and reconnect. We are committed to helping you build a safe, stable foundation for your relationship, whether that means starting with individual therapy or proceeding directly into couples therapy.

Couples Therapy: Myths and Realities

Maintaining a loving, supportive partnership isn’t always easy. Life brings both expected and unexpected stressors, and when challenges arise, many couples find themselves drifting apart instead of pulling together. The person who once felt like your biggest ally can start to feel like an adversary — and sometimes, despite your best efforts, things seem to get worse instead of better.

The encouraging news is that most relationships can heal and grow stronger with the right help. Research shows that about 90% of couples who work with a trained Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) clinician experience meaningful improvement, and around 70% report full repair and reconnection in their relationship.

Unfortunately, many couples hesitate to seek this kind of help. Misunderstandings and outdated beliefs about therapy can get in the way.

Below are six common myths — and the truths behind them:
1. “The therapist will take sides.”

In EFT, the therapist’s goal isn’t to assign blame. Instead, they help both partners recognize how each person’s behavior and emotional responses contribute to the cycle of conflict or disconnection. Healing happens when both partners can see their part in the pattern and work together to change it.

2. “The therapist will tell us to break up.”

EFT therapists don’t decide whether couples should stay together or part ways. Their role is to help partners understand what’s gone wrong, create safety in communication, and guide them toward repair — for as long as both are willing to try. The choice about the relationship’s future always belongs to the couple.

3. “We’re too far gone — it’s hopeless.”

Even long-standing issues can improve through Emotionally Focused Therapy. A high level of anger or distance doesn’t necessarily mean a relationship can’t heal. The biggest obstacle to change is when one or both partners have completely disengaged and are no longer willing to make an effort.

4. “Talking about our problems will only make things worse.”

Many couples have had painful or unproductive conversations in the past, so it’s understandable to worry that therapy will do the same. EFT therapists, however, are specifically trained to create a safe and supportive environment where each partner can be heard and understood. This structure often allows couples to see one another’s pain in new ways that foster compassion and healing.

5. “Couples therapy doesn’t work.”

While not all therapy approaches are equally effective, EFT is backed by decades of research showing that it helps couples build stronger, more secure bonds — and that these improvements last. In fact, the American Psychological Association recognizes Emotionally Focused Therapy as an evidence-based approach for couples in distress.

6. “One of us needs individual therapy first.”

Research increasingly shows that successful couples therapy can ease symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, and other emotional difficulties. Strengthening the relationship itself often reduces individual suffering. While additional treatment may sometimes be appropriate, when the relationship is strained, couples therapy is often the best first step.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

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Locations

Wheat Ridge

4251 Kipling St. Suite 430
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Arvada

8795 Ralston Rd
Arvada, CO 80002

Capitol Hill

1557 N Ogden Street #12
Denver, CO 80218

Lafayette

104 E Simpson Street
Lafayette, CO 80026

Louisville

908 Main Street Suite 250-A
Louisville, CO 80027