Dr. Sue Johnson’s article originally written for Psychology Today which explains what Emotional Focused Therapy is.

Marriage and Family therapists study relationships.

We view couples and families as a system of interconnecting people. Like the gears in the picture above, each person in a relationship affects the others. Once we start turning in one direction it can be very hard to make a change when all the other gears are still moving in the same direction. This is true for couple and families. Often even when one person makes a positive change, it can affect the whole system in a way that make take some adjustments.

Can you be too connected? Have you ever wondered, in the midst of your relationship, if you are too dependent on your partner? What if your loved one makes you happier when they are around? What if you miss them when they are gone? What if they are the first person you seek with both good and bad news? Is this healthy?

Does it seem like you and your partner have the same fight over and over again? Socks on the floor, spending habits, where you’ll celebrate Thanksgiving this year… these fights tend to repeat themselves…. Choose a partner based on the kind of arguments you’re willing to have for a long, long time.

Right. Now.

The right time is right now. If either partner is considering counseling… If either partner is wishing the relationship could be better… If either or both partners are feeling unsatisfied or unheard or unhappy, the time for counseling is now. Why?