EFT Therapy in California: Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples and Individuals
Part 1: How EFT Helps You Heal Relationships and Feel Safe Again
Do your arguments go in circles?
Do you shut down — or explode — when you’re feeling disconnected?
Do you want closeness but keep getting stuck in painful patterns?
If any of that sounds familiar, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) might be the missing piece.
At CEREVITY, we offer online EFT therapy throughout California for couples, individuals, and families who want to improve communication, reduce emotional reactivity, and feel more secure in their relationships.
📞 Call (562) 295-6650 or visit https://cerevity.com/get-started
We’ll connect you with a therapist trained in EFT who accepts Aetna and works with both individuals and couples.
What Is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)?
EFT is a structured, evidence-based approach to therapy that focuses on the emotional bonds between people — especially romantic partners, but also within families or even internally (your relationship with yourself).
Developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, EFT is grounded in attachment theory — the idea that humans are wired for connection and that emotional safety is essential to our wellbeing.
When we feel secure with someone, we thrive.
When we feel distant, rejected, or unseen, we react — often in ways we don’t fully understand.
EFT Helps You Identify Your Core Emotional Needs
In most relationships, what looks like a communication problem is actually a connection problem.
Examples:
You say, “You never help around the house,” but what you mean is, “I feel alone and overwhelmed.”
You say, “Stop checking your phone,” but what you really feel is, “I’m scared I’m not enough for you.”
EFT helps you slow down and decode those moments — so you can stop blaming and start reaching.
The Three Stages of EFT Therapy
EFT follows a clear, research-backed model:
1. De-escalation
The therapist helps you identify your negative cycle (e.g., attack/withdraw, blame/defend) and see it as the problem — not each other.
2. Restructuring Bonds
You learn how to express softer emotions and needs, and your partner (or parts of yourself) learn how to respond with empathy and attunement.
3. Consolidation
New patterns take hold. You’ve rewritten the emotional script and can handle conflict in a healthier, more connected way.
Who Is EFT Therapy For?
EFT was originally created for couples, but it’s also effective for individuals and families. You might benefit from EFT therapy if:
You argue frequently or feel emotionally distant in your relationship
You’ve experienced betrayal or trust issues
You shut down during conflict
You crave closeness but don’t know how to ask for it
You feel anxious, abandoned, or rejected in relationships
You’re navigating a major transition (parenthood, loss, infidelity, etc.)
You’re healing attachment wounds from childhood
You want to feel more secure in any close relationship
What Does a Typical EFT Session Look Like?
Unlike traditional talk therapy that focuses on logic or insight, EFT sessions go straight to the heart of the matter — literally.
You might hear your therapist ask:
“What’s happening in your body right now as you say that?”
“What’s the fear underneath that anger?”
“What’s the message you’re sending your partner — and what’s the one you’re trying to send?”
There’s often emotion in the room — even tears. But it’s not chaos. It’s connection.
The therapist guides you slowly and safely through emotional territory you may have never explored before.
EFT Is Backed by Research
EFT is one of the most research-supported forms of couples therapy available today.
Studies show:
70-75% of couples move from distress to recovery
90% show significant improvement
These changes are long-lasting — even under stress
That’s because EFT isn’t about surface behavior. It changes the emotional foundation of the relationship.
Why People in California Are Seeking EFT
In a fast-paced, achievement-driven place like California, connection often takes a backseat to productivity. People end up feeling:
Emotionally isolated in their marriages
Chronically anxious in dating
Disconnected from their kids
Burned out from over-functioning for others
EFT offers a way back — not just to your relationships, but to yourself.
It’s especially helpful for:
Couples juggling work-life pressure in the Bay Area or LA
High-functioning individuals who feel emotionally numb or reactive
First-generation Californians managing cultural and family expectations
People healing after betrayal, trauma, or divorce
EFT for Individuals: Yes, It Works
You don’t need a partner to do EFT.
In individual EFT, your therapist helps you explore:
How you respond to emotional disconnection
The “attachment templates” you carry from childhood
Patterns like avoidance, over-functioning, or anxious pursuit
How to build a more secure connection with yourself and others
It’s powerful for healing old wounds, increasing emotional resilience, and preparing for healthier relationships.
Finding EFT Therapy in California (That Takes Aetna)
While EFT is a growing modality, it’s still hard to search for directly on insurance websites or therapy directories. Here’s what you can do:
🔎 Search Tips:
Look for “Emotionally Focused Therapy,” “EFT,” or “Attachment-Based” in therapist bios
Choose providers with experience in couples or relational work
Ask whether they’re trained in the Sue Johnson model or ICEEFT certified
Confirm whether they’re in-network with Aetna, or offer superbills for reimbursement
Or save yourself the hunt — and let us help.
💡 Up Next in Part 2:
How EFT therapists use Aetna insurance for coverage
What to expect long-term in EFT treatment
How to prepare for your first EFT session
Tips for choosing the right EFT therapist for you
📞 Call (562) 295-6650 or visit https://cerevity.com/get-started
We’ll match you with an Aetna-covered EFT therapist who can help you feel safe, seen, and supported — whether you’re in a relationship or healing on your own.
EFT Therapy in California: Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples and Individuals
Part 2: What Aetna Covers and How to Get Started with EFT
In Part 1, we explored what Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is and how it helps people reconnect — whether in romantic partnerships, families, or with themselves.
Now let’s talk logistics: how to find a therapist, what your Aetna plan might cover, and what to expect long-term from EFT treatment in California.
📞 Call (562) 295-6650 or visit https://cerevity.com/get-started
CEREVITY offers online EFT therapy for individuals and couples across California — and we’re in-network with Aetna.
What Does Aetna Cover for EFT Therapy?
Aetna does not require a specific code for EFT. It’s billed like any other therapy session under CPT codes such as:
90834 (45-minute psychotherapy session)
90837 (60-minute psychotherapy session)
As long as the therapy is:
Delivered by a licensed provider (LCSW, LMFT, etc.)
Treating a billable mental health condition (like anxiety, PTSD, adjustment disorder)
Deemed medically necessary (i.e., symptoms interfere with functioning)
…it’s usually covered.
EFT therapy can qualify under diagnoses such as:
F41.1: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
F43.10: PTSD
F43.23: Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood
F33.1: Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Moderate
Is Couples Therapy Covered?
Yes — but only if one partner has a billable diagnosis and the therapy is focused on helping them manage their symptoms.
For example:
A partner with anxiety experiencing panic attacks during arguments
Someone with trauma who struggles with emotional regulation in relationships
A spouse recovering from betrayal trauma (e.g., infidelity)
EFT works beautifully in these cases — and the clinician can justify medical necessity.
CEREVITY therapists are experienced in navigating these documentation requirements and making sure sessions are coded correctly for Aetna reimbursement.
How Much Will I Pay with Aetna?
Here’s what you’ll want to check:
In-network status: Working with an in-network provider (like CEREVITY) = lower cost
Copay: Flat rate per session, typically $15–$40
Coinsurance: Percentage you pay after deductible (e.g., 20%)
Deductible: What you must pay out-of-pocket before Aetna kicks in
CEREVITY verifies benefits before your first appointment, so you know exactly what therapy will cost — with no surprise bills later.
What If I’m Using Aetna Through Work?
Many Californians have Aetna through employer-sponsored plans — like Kaiser, UC systems, or private companies. These plans often:
Cover behavioral health services without a referral
Offer out-of-network reimbursement if you have a PPO
Include Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) with a few free sessions
We’ll help you figure out which path is best based on your specific coverage.
How to Get the Most Out of EFT Therapy
Whether you’re doing EFT as an individual or with a partner, here’s how to make the most of it:
🔹 Come with openness
This work goes beyond surface-level advice. It asks you to slow down and tune in to the emotions beneath your reactions.
🔹 Practice between sessions
Try to reflect on your emotional triggers. What happens in your body before you withdraw or lash out?
🔹 Don’t expect perfection
Change happens gradually. You’ll likely revisit the same cycle more than once — but each time with more insight and less shame.
🔹 Be honest
Say what’s really happening inside you. EFT works best when you stop pretending you’re “fine” and start being real.
What Long-Term Progress Looks Like
With consistent sessions and an emotionally safe space, clients often report:
Deeper intimacy in relationships
More compassion for themselves and others
Greater ability to regulate emotions during conflict
Reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms
Feeling more securely attached (less anxious, less avoidant)
EFT is not just about feeling better — it’s about relating better. That change can ripple through your relationships, your parenting, and even your workplace dynamics.
What to Ask When Choosing an EFT Therapist in California
Here’s what to ask before booking your first session:
“Are you trained in Sue Johnson’s EFT model?”
“Have you worked with couples or individuals struggling with [your concern]?”
“Do you accept Aetna insurance?”
“How do you approach emotional reactivity or shutdowns?”
“Can you work with trauma or attachment wounds?”
You deserve a therapist who’s not just technically trained — but emotionally present and skilled in creating safety.
Online EFT Therapy Is Just as Effective
All of CEREVITY’s therapy sessions are conducted online — and EFT works beautifully via telehealth.
You’ll:
Meet from the comfort of your own space
Avoid traffic and long commutes (especially in places like LA or SF)
Still receive real-time emotional attunement and structure
Have the option to attend solo or as a couple
Get Started with EFT Therapy in California
Whether you’re facing relationship challenges, emotional distance, or attachment wounds — EFT can help you rebuild from the inside out.
At CEREVITY, our online therapists are:
Trained in EFT and attachment-based work
Compassionate and nonjudgmental
Accepting Aetna and other PPO plans
Available across all of California
Experienced with individuals, couples, and families
📞 Call (562) 295-6650 or visit https://cerevity.com/get-started
We’ll match you with the right EFT therapist and check your Aetna benefits for you — so all you have to do is show up.
