Find an Emotionally Focused Therapist (EFT) at Layla
Rebuild connection and understanding with your partner through Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Layla connects you and your partner with a registered couples therapist trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). A structured approach to understanding the patterns that shape your relationship, EFT helps clients explore how our beliefs about relationships, trust and emotions play a role in our relational experiences.
Therapy offered on weekends, weekdays, and evenings. In-person or virtual, depending on your location. Often covered by benefits.
Content on this page has been clinically reviewed by Tara Farahani, Registered Social Worker, Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) & Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW)
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What is Emotionally Focused Therapy?
Conflict in relationships can occur when partners experience that their need for connection and understanding feel unmet. EFT helps you and your partner understand work toward disrupting patterns of conflict, by exploring the more vulnerable feelings underneath reactions like criticism or withdrawal, and support you in responding to one another with openness and care.
How does Emotionally Focused Therapy work?
EFT is structured around your relationship's specific patterns, helping you and your partner move out of cycles that keep you stuck. This form of therapy can support you to:
- Recognize the challenging cycles that repeat during conflict
- Understand the emotions and needs underneath those cycles
- Rebuild trust and emotional responsiveness with your partner
- Strengthen your bond through moments of vulnerability and repair
What can Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) help with?
Recurring conflict
Raise awareness of repeated arguments and conflict and understand what's driving them.
Emotional distance
Reconnect when it feels like you and your partner have drifted apart.
Rebuilding trust
Work through a breach in trust and rebuild safety together.
Feeling unheard
Build communication that helps you both feel seen and understood.
Life transitions
Navigate how fertility, parenting, illness, relocation, or other major changes are affecting your relationship.
Reconnecting after conflict
Repair and move forward after a period of relationship stress.
Why choose Layla for Emotionally Focused Therapy
Personal match
We’ll help match you with a therapist who aligns with your goals, concerns, and preferences
Flexible formats
In-person, virtual, or hybrid sessions available in many major cities
Registered, vetted therapists
Vetted through a multi-stage interview process before being accepted to our therapist community
How Layla guides you towards your therapist match
Tell us what you’re looking for
Complete our intake form to help us understand what your goals, preferences and needs are.
Complete our matching call
Over a matching call, a care coordinator will ask a few questions to guide their selection of therapists who they think best align with you.
Start your first session
After you choose your therapist, you’ll book your first online or in-person therapy session.
Take the first step
Then you'll connect with a Care Coordinator who will support you through the matching process.
Frequently asked questions
Valerie Tsang
Valerie is a Registered Psychotherapist who has worked for more than a decade in community mental health. She holds a Masters of Arts in Psychology from Médaille College and a Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Toronto. Valerie has extensive clinical experience working with individuals and groups on addressing diverse mental health concerns including complex trauma, suicidal ideation, concurrent disorders, and the impact of socioeconomic status on mental health. She is passionate about exploring the role of digital health technologies on reducing health disparities in the mental health sector. Outside of work, Valerie enjoys baking, working on her green thumb, and visiting local coffee shops.
Dr. Siqi Huang
Hello! Thank you for taking the time to invest in your well-being. I'm a clinical and health psychologist based in Ontario. I have experience in assessing mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD), as well as health-related mental health concerns (e.g., distress related to somatic symptoms, pain, or becoming ill). My goal is to create a collaborative assessment experience where we gain a better understanding of your current functioning, and to discuss individualized recommendations to help you address barriers to well-being.
Dr. Sahar Bhaloo
Psychologist, Co-founder and Clinical Supervisor at Flourish Psychology and Coaching, works in Global Mental Health and Complex Trauma.
Dr. Danielle Rice
Clinical and Health Psychologist at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Assistant Professor at McMaster University.
Diane Corrales
With a bachelor of science degree and a product management certification, Diane combines her scientific and technical knowledge with her passion for championing a client-centered and human-focused approach in the healthcare and wellness realm. She supports the operations and delivery of Layla's service, fostering a supportive and effective community for mental health professionals and clients alike.
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Saretta Herman
Saretta brings over a decade of experience working in various mental health settings. She holds a Master’s degree from the University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work where she is currently an Adjunct Lecturer. She started her post-graduate career working at the Clinic on Dupont where she practiced for over 5 years while also working in Children’s Mental Health in community, residential, and youth justice programs. She currently works in private practice and previously was a part of the Health and Wellness team at the University of Toronto. She is passionate about issues of social justice and systemic issues that contribute to mental health challenges. She is interested in supporting people on an individual level and also holds a strong interest in organisational and systemic changes that can help improve people’s lives more generally.In her free time, Saretta enjoys playing hockey, cooking, gardening in the summer, and spending time with her family.