Emotion-Focused Therapy
Understanding and transforming your emotional experience to build deeper connection and lasting change.
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) is a humanistic, evidence-based approach built on the idea that emotions are not problems to be suppressed — they are central to who we are and how we relate to others. EFT helps you become more aware of your emotional experience, understand what your emotions are telling you, and develop the ability to regulate them in healthy ways. By learning to distinguish between emotions that are helpful guides and those that are rooted in past pain, you can transform stuck patterns and build more authentic, secure relationships.
What We Help With
Our Approach
EFT differs from purely cognitive approaches in that it works directly with your felt emotional experience rather than focusing primarily on thoughts and behaviors. In session, your therapist helps you slow down and turn toward your emotions with curiosity instead of judgment — noticing what arises in your body, naming it, and understanding the deeper need it carries.
A central part of the work is learning to tell apart two kinds of emotion: primary emotions that are honest, healthy responses to your current situation, and secondary emotions (like anger masking hurt, or numbness covering grief) that developed as protective responses but now get in the way. Once you can make that distinction, you gain access to the real information your emotions are offering — and that is where lasting change begins.
Meet the Therapists
Our team members who specialize in this area.
Dr. Hanna is an interactive, insight-oriented individual and couples therapist with over 20 years of experience, specializing in postpartum depression, relationship counseling, parenting, depression, and anxiety.
Virginia creates a safe, warm environment where clients feel truly heard. She specializes in depression, anxiety, OCD, grief, and exposure-based therapies, with a collaborative approach focused on meaningful, lasting change.
Margita is passionate about helping individuals, children, and couples find deeper self-understanding and personal growth. She takes a compassionate, collaborative approach to help clients reach their authentic goals.
Socorro brings over 10 years of therapeutic experience with adults, couples, children, and families. She uses a client-centered collaborative approach drawing on CBT, trauma-focused therapy, and attachment-based modalities.
Brittlin has experience with a wide range of ages, populations, and diagnoses. She is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive environment where clients can work toward positive change through a collaborative therapeutic process.
Esthela brings a personalized, trauma-informed approach and over 25 years in communications. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she specializes in anxiety, depression, and family counseling for Long Beach's diverse community.
Nicole believes that reaching out for support is one of the most courageous things you can do. She offers personalized, judgment-free therapy to adults, elderly individuals, and couples navigating anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions.
Ready to begin?
Take the first step toward healing and growth. Request an appointment today.