Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy

Couples Therapy Sessions & What to Expect

  • Two wooden Adirondack chairs on a lawn with a white fence and greenery in the background.

    Session 1: Together


    During our first session, both partners will attend.
    The purpose of this session is first for both of you to get familiar with the office space, to begin building safety and comfort as we build our connection together, and to ask any questions you have.
    If you’re not familiar with Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples yet, I will give you some background to understand my approach and the way we will work together.
    I will help you understand each of our roles throughout therapy and how EFT often looks different than some other couples therapy and why I use this method.
    My goal is to get to know your relationship in this session.

  • A woman with glasses sitting on a gray sofa, holding a mug with an elephant design, wearing a gray dress, next to green plant leaves indoors.

    Session 2: One Partner


    During the second session, only one partner will attend.
    Most often it does not matter which partner goes first and can be a scheduling preference.
    The purpose of this session is to learn the background of the partner attending, specifically I am prioritizing getting to gnow and understand your relational attachment history, and to further assess how best to support you in our sessions together.
    Sometimes an additional session is scheduled if more time is needed.

  • Person wearing a red cap sitting on a white sofa in a stylishly decorated room with a lamp and decorative plants in the background.

    Session 3: Next Partner


    During the third session, the other partner will attend.
    The purpose of this session is to learn the background of the partner attending, specifically I am prioritizing getting to gnow and understand your relational attachment history, and to further assess how best to support you in our sessions together.
    Sometimes an additional session is scheduled if more time is needed.

  • Three people having a meeting in an office lounge with a laptop on the table.

    Sessions 4-20+: Together


    The remaining sessions will be attended together. Sessions will start only when both partners are present.
    The purpose of these sessions is to continue to build understanding of the relationship, the moves each partner takes, and the impact of those moves on the other partner and the relationship.
    We work together as a team to help the relationship heal and grow by deescalating, addressing core conflict patterns, identifying needs and longings, repairing as needed, creating new patterns, and building sustainable growth.