Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) in Toronto

Name: Cognitive & Interpersonal Therapy Centre
Brand: Cognitive & Interpersonal Therapy Centre
Rating: 4 (4 reviews)

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) is a structured, evidence-based approach that focuses on helping individuals, couples, or families to connect with, understand, and work through their emotions. Rather than ignoring or hiding your feelings, EFT helps you feel, show, and handle your emotions in a healthier way.

At its core, EFT is about learning how to use emotions as a guide—helping you identify what you’re feeling, why you’re feeling it, and what to do with those feelings. By dealing with your emotions directly, you can reduce stress, resolve inner conflict, and improve your relationships.

What to Expect in EFT

EFT typically involves:

8 to 20 weekly sessions, depending on your unique needs and goals.
A collaborative process: You and your therapist work together as a team to explore what’s going on beneath the service.
A focus on emotions: You’ll learn to describe your feelings in detail and understand how they influence your thoughts, behaviours, and relationships.

EFT is a process that requires openness—you are encouraged to engage in and feel all your emotions fully, even the uncomfortable ones. With your therapists’ support, you learn how to understand what your emotions are telling you and how to move forward with clarity and confidence.

Who Can Benefit from EFT?

EFT can help clients experiencing:

Depression
Anxiety
Eating Disorders (e.g., binge eating, bulimia)
Personality Disorders
Childhood Trauma or Abuse
Conflict in Relationships or struggles with connection

EFT is also helpful for anyone feeling stuck in patterns of emotional distress, where emotions feel overwhelming or impossible to manage.

How Does EFT Work?

In EFT, emotions aren’t seen as problems that need to be “fixed” but as important signals to be understood. Your therapist will help you to:

Identify and Access Emotions: Together, you’ll explore your emotional responses—what you’re feeling and where those feelings are coming from. For example, anger might be a surface emotion masking deeper feelings of sadness or fear.
Sit with Your Emotions: Instead of pushing emotions away, EFT helps you feel them in a safe and guided space, so that they don’t feel too big or overwhelming.
Create Healthy Distance: You will learn to take a step back and watch your feelings without letting them control you. This distance helps you think before you act, increase of reacting impulsively.
Transform and Use Your Emotions: With practice, your emotions become tools for change. For example, sadness can become self-compassion, and anger can be transformed into assertiveness or action.

Example: A client struggling with constant frustration in their relationship might discover, through EFT, that the frustration stems from being ignored or unvalued. By realizing this deeper feeling and learning to discuss it with their partner in a constructive way, then they’ll be able to communicate more successfully and feel closer to them.

Advantages of EFT

Better Communication: EFT can help you express yourself clearly, understand others better, improving your relationships.
A Deeper Understanding of Emotions: You’ll gain insight into your emotional patterns and learn healthier ways to respond to life’s challenges.
Emotional Resilience: By working with your emotions instead of avoiding them, you’ll feel more in control and capable of handling stressful situations.

Speak with an Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) Specialist in Toronto.

Our highly trained Toronto therapists are ready and able to help you through the process at every step of the way. Whether you’re just beginning your therapy journey or looking for specialized support, contact us to get in touch with our therapists in Toronto that specialize in Emotion-Focused Therapy.

Cognitive & Interpersonal Therapy Centre (CITC) offers in-person therapy in Toronto and virtual sessions across Ontario. If you’re unsure about how to get started or have questions about therapy, contact us anytime.