Emotion Focused Therapy: A Guide to Managing Your Emotions

“Even When It Is Not Fully Attained, We Become Better By Striving For A Higher Goal.”

– Viktor Frankl

Emotion-focused therapy

Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) is a type of therapy that helps people understand and deal with their emotions in a healthy way. Emotions are a big part of our daily lives, and sometimes, they can be difficult to handle. Whether they’re feeling sad, anxious, angry, or overwhelmed, this therapy helps people recognize their feelings and learn how to manage them. This makes coping with tough situations and leading a balanced life easier. 

In this blog, we will explore EFT, its benefits, and how it can help you manage your emotions more effectively. 

The Meaning- Emotion-focused therapy 

Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) was created to help people get in touch with their emotions and manage them more effectively. It encourages people to notice how they feel, understand their emotions, and express them in healthy ways. This type of therapy is especially helpful for those who find it hard to express their feelings or are overwhelmed by them. 

EFT is all about emotional awareness. Instead of ignoring, hiding, or suppressing feelings, it teaches you to accept your emotions and deal with them in a productive way. By doing this, you can feel better and react more calmly in difficult situations. 

How Does the Therapy Work? 

The therapy focuses on helping people develop certain skills to manage their emotions. These skills help people deal with their feelings without letting them take over. Here are some important skills you’ll learn in EFT: 

  1. Recognizing Emotions: The first step is to recognize what you’re feeling. Sometimes we don’t even realize we’re sad, anxious, or angry. Therapy helps you become aware of these emotions. 
  2. Understanding Emotions: After recognizing what you feel, the next step is to figure out why you feel that way. Are you upset because of something that happened today? Or is there something else behind it? It’s all about why you feel the way you do. 
  3. Changing Unhelpful Responses: Sometimes, when we’re feeling strong emotions, we react in ways that aren’t helpful. We might yell, cry, or shut down completely. EFT teaches you how to stop reacting like this and helps you choose healthier ways to respond. 
  4. Healthy Coping Skills: It teaches positive ways to cope with difficult emotions. For example, deep breathing, talking to someone you trust, or taking a short walk can help calm you down.  
Emotion-focused therapy
Emotion-focused therapy

What Makes the Therapy Unique? 

One of the unique things about the therapy is its transdiagnostic approach. This means that instead of focusing only on one type of emotional issue, it can help with a range of emotional problems. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or stress, EFT addresses the common emotions behind these issues. 

For example, both anxiety and depression can involve similar feelings of sadness, fear, or frustration. The transdiagnostic approach targets these shared emotions, using emotion awareness to help people feel better, no matter what specific emotional struggle they’re facing.

Emotion Regulation Skills  

Another important part is learning emotion regulation skills. These skills help people healthily control their emotions, instead of letting emotions take control. Some of these skills include: 

  • Recognizing Emotions: By noticing what you’re feeling, you can start to deal with emotions before they get overwhelming. 
  • Understanding Emotions: Understanding why you’re feeling a certain way helps you manage your response.  
  • Changing Unhelpful Reactions: Instead of lashing out, you’ll learn how to express your feelings calmly and respectfully. 
  • Developing Healthy Coping Skills: EFT helps you develop healthy ways, like breathing exercises or talking it out, to deal with tough emotions.  

Tips for Managing Your Emotions 

Here are some simple tips that can help you manage your emotions: 

  • Practice Mindfulness: Spend a few minutes each day paying attention to how you feel. Just notice your emotions without judging them.  
  • Identify Your Emotions: When you feel something strong, try to name it. Identifying your emotions is the first step to understanding them. 
  • Challenge Negative Thoughts: If you often think “I’m not good enough,” try replacing that thought with something positive, like “I’m doing my best.” This will help change your emotional state. 
  • Use Healthy Coping Skills: When you feel upset, try activities like deep breathing, talking to a friend, or going for a walk.  
  • Be Kind to Yourself: It’s okay to feel sad, angry, or stressed. Be patient with yourself as you work through your feelings. 

Emotion-focused therapy is a helpful way to understand and manage your emotions. Whether you’re dealing with sadness, anxiety, or frustration, EFT can help you feel more in control and better able to respond to your emotions positively. Experienced therapists like those at Mission Hill Psychology excel in providing EFT therapy in Calgary and Edmonton, cities in Alberta, and help you live a happier, healthier life. EFT gives you the tools to manage your emotions, so they don’t control you. It’s a great way to improve your mental health and feel more balanced every day. 

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