The investment for a couples counselling session is $375 for a 75-minute session.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples has one of the highest success rates among couples therapies. Here's what research shows:

Success Rate of EFT

• 70-75% of couples who undergo EFT move from distress to recovery.

• 90% show significant improvement in relationship satisfaction.

These statistics come from multiple clinical studies and meta-analyses over the past few decades, notably from the work of Dr. Sue Johnson, the primary developer of EFT.

Key Points about EFT Effectiveness

• Evidence-Based: EFT is backed by over 30 years of research and is one of the most empirically validated approaches in couples therapy.

• Sustained Gains: Follow-up studies show that the improvements made in therapy are generally maintained long-term.

• Cross-Cultural & Diverse Couples: EFT has been shown to be effective across different cultures, same-sex couples, and in cases involving trauma (e.g., PTSD in veterans).

Factors that Affect Success

• Commitment to the process: Couples who fully engage in the therapy process tend to see better outcomes.

• Severity of issues: EFT can help with serious issues like infidelity or long-term disconnection, but it may take longer.

• Therapist training: Success rates are higher with therapists who are certified or deeply trained in EFT.

• About 70–75% of couples stay together after finishing Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).

• Most of these couples also report that their relationship feels stronger and more loving.

What the Research Says:

• In studies, couples who go through EFT are less likely to break up than couples who don’t get therapy or who try other types of therapy.

• Many couples also report feeling more connected and secure even years after therapy ends.

EFT Helps Couples:

• Understand each other better

• Communicate more clearly

• Feel closer emotionally

• Heal after big problems like cheating or fighting

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Best for most couples

• Focus: Building emotional connection and trust

• Best for: Couples who feel distant, fight often, or have trust issues (even after cheating)

• Success rate: About 70–75% stay together and improve

• Research-backed: Very strong evidence for long-term success

When EFCT Couples Counselling Might Not Be Appropriate (Yet)

1. Ongoing abuse or domestic violence

• EFT is not safe or effective if there is current physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.

• Why? EFT requires emotional vulnerability and trust — which isn’t possible when one partner feels unsafe or controlled.

• In these cases, safety planning and individual therapy come first.

2. Active substance abuse

• If one or both partners are dealing with addiction and not in treatment, EFT will likely stall.

• Why? Addiction interferes with emotional presence and reliable behaviour.

• Once substance use is being treated, EFT can be helpful.

3. One partner is secretly planning to leave

• If one person is emotionally “checked out” or planning to leave without saying so, EFT won’t work well.

• Why? EFT needs honest emotional engagement from both people.

• Pre EFT might be better if one person is unsure about staying.

5. Affair still ongoing or not fully disclosed

• EFT can help heal after infidelity, but only after the affair has ended and been honestly discussed.

• Why? Emotional trust can’t be rebuilt while deception continues.

When It Can Work — With Adjustments

• If past abuse or trauma has occurred but both partners are safe and willing to process it

• If addiction or mental illness is being treated alongside couples therapy

Bottom Line:

Couples Counselling is powerful, but only when emotional safety, honesty, and commitment to the process are present.

Couples counselling can be helpful at any stage of a relationship—not just when things are going badly. Here's a clear guide to help you know when it's a good idea to go:

When to Do Couples Counselling

1. You’re having frequent or intense arguments

• Fighting more often or over the same issues again and again

• Feeling like arguments never get resolved

2. You feel emotionally distant or disconnected

• You’ve “grown apart” or feel more like roommates than partners

• One or both of you feels lonely in the relationship

3. There's been a major betrayal or break in trust

• Cheating, hiding things, or lying has occurred

• You're struggling to forgive or rebuild trust

4. You're dealing with a major life change

• Moving, job loss, becoming parents, grief, or retirement

• These changes can put extra stress on your relationship

5. Communication is breaking down

• You avoid talking because it always turns into a fight

• You feel misunderstood, dismissed, or not heard

6. You're thinking about separating

• Therapy can help you decide whether to work through it or separate respectfully

• Even one partner wanting counselling is a good enough reason to start

7. You want to strengthen your relationship

• Things aren’t “bad,” but you want to grow closer, learn tools, or prepare for marriage

Bottom Line:

You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from couples counselling.
If something feels off, stuck, or painful, that’s a good time to get support.

Once a week: This is the standard and most effective frequency for EFT.

Weekly sessions help build emotional safety and keep momentum in the therapy.

It gives couples time to practice between sessions but not so much time that they lose progress.

How Long Does EFT Last?

On average: 8 to 20 sessions

That’s about 2 to 5 months if done weekly.

For deeper issues (like trauma, infidelity, or emotional shut-down): it may take 6 months or more.