Emotionally Focused Family Therapy

What does Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) help with?

A man and a young girl washing their hands at a kitchen sink. The girl is holding soap and the faucet is running. There are plants and a dish rack in the background.

EFFT is a therapy model designed to help families strengthen emotional bonds, improve communication, and heal relational wounds. It's based on the principles of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and attachment theory, which highlight the importance of feeling emotionally safe, supported, and connected within the family system.

In EFFT, the focus is on helping parents and children (of any age) understand and respond to each other’s emotional needs with more empathy and care.

  • Creates a safe space for each member of the family to share their perspective

  • Helps each member of the family to see the others’ experiential realities and to be seen

  • Connects present issues to past hurts arising from within and outside the family

  • Restores proper, healthy relationship dynamics between parents, siblings, and children

  • Restructures relationships within the family to operate in a more healthy way

  • Brings unspoken fears and feelings to mutual awareness

family conflict,

communication,

attachment,

life transitions,

healing relationships,

behavioural challenges,

family conflict, communication, attachment, life transitions, healing relationships, behavioural challenges,

  • “Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must, but take a step.”

    -Naeem Callaway

Brick building with fire escape and a mural saying "HOW ARE YOU, REALLY?" on the wall in an urban setting.

What you can expect at Selah

We know that every person carries unique experiences and circumstances with them to therapy.

We believe your counselling experience should integrate a process that seeks to bring you hope and change through the following steps:

  1. You will pick whether you want to attend in-person, virtual or hybrid. 

  2. You will get started with your initial session. Relationship building is the most crucial stage during this appointment, as trust and connection are vital in the therapeutic process. It takes “on average”, two or more sessions before you can determine your fit with the therapist. We always say, “Don’t give up on counselling, but connect with a new counsellor if not a good fit.” Don’t hesitate to contact our Intake Coordinator at 519-281-1845 or intake@selahsupport.ca if not a good fit. 80% of your change in therapy is about the relationship with your therapist. 

  3. During your initial sessions, you will share your current circumstances and areas you would like to see changed, and then we will go from there. We want to get to know you.  

  4. Once you and your therapist feel you are comfortable and present concerns and desires are shared, you will begin to work through various activities, skills, and treatment methods We aim to work with you in partnership, helping you gain insight and new skills that create an environment for change. 

Let’s work together.