How to Find an Emotion Focused Couples Therapist
If you are seeking emotionally focused couples therapy (EFT) you should consult with a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, nurse practitioner or other mental health counselor who is licensed to practice psychotherapy in your state. Emotionally focused couples therapy (EFT) is a type of therapy some couples therapists utilize that does not require a separate license. If you want EFT therapy, you will need to make sure that the practitioner you choose has training and experience in EFT, and you must make it clear that you are seeking EFT.
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Things You'll Need
- Telephone
- Pen
- Paper
- Computer with Internet access
- Your health insurance company's list of mental health providers
Instructions
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Find an EFT Couples Therapist Through Your Health Plan
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1
Call your health insurance provider to find out if marital therapy is covered under your insurance plan. Ask whether you must use in-network providers, or if you can see any provider you choose.
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2
Consult the list of mental health providers supplied by your insurance company if they require you to use an in-network provider. An EFT therapist should have EFT listed in his or her bio as a specialty.
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3
Telephone the EFT practitioners to find out if they have any openings. Even if EFT is mentioned in the bio, you should ask the practitioners about their EFT experience specifically. Do this over the phone, rather than having to pay for a session with someone who doesn't do what you are looking for.
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4
Ask the question, "Do you always use EFT with couples? Why or why not?" Another way to ask is, "Do you stick to the EFT modality specifically, or do you blend it with a number of different types of therapies depending on the circumstances?" If you are specifically looking for EFT, then take heed.
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5
Ask other appropriate questions as needed, such as "How much training have you had in EFT? Are you certified in EFT?" (The certification is not mandatory, but is shows dedication to this type of therapy.) "How long have you been practicing EFT?" If you are satisfied, schedule a consultation. If you cannot find an EFT therapist in the insurance network, proceed to step 6 but your insurance may or may not cover it.
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6
Use the "find an EFT therapist feature on The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy website. The Centre is directed by Sue Johnson, one of the founders of EFT. This organization provides training and certification in EFT for therapists. The website will help you locate an EFT couples therapist in your city.
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Look and ask around your community for referrals to local therapists who use EFT.
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If necessary, utilize other therapist directories online that have a specific search feature for EFT therapists, such as GoodTherapy.org. Just type in your ZIP code, agree to the terms and conditions, select how many miles you wish to search in, and select, "search therapists who use EFT."
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure that you and your partner both like the therapist and are comfortable with him or her as a person. Having a good rapport with the therapist is more of a predictor of successful outcomes than the type of therapy used by the practitioner.
References
- Internation Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy
