Couples Therapy
Transforming the emotional patterns that keep you feeling stuck, distant, or in conflict
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT)
Welcome. I’m Rebecca, a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Having worked for over 30 years with families I bring a great depth of working experience and knowledge to support you within your relationship
Alongside a postgraduate degree in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy, I am trained in Emotionally Focussed Couples Therapy with BEFT.
Using this attachment focussed way of working I help couples to move from disconnection to closeness by identifying unmet needs, softening defensive cycles, and creating new ways of relating.
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps partners understand and transform the emotional patterns that keep them feeling stuck, distant, or in conflict. Rooted in attachment theory, EFCT supports couples to move from disconnection to closeness by identifying unmet needs, softening defensive cycles, and creating new ways of relating.
Rather than focusing only on communication techniques or problem-solving, EFCT works at a deeper level. It helps each partner feel seen, understood, and emotionally safe—conditions that allow genuine change to take place.
Emotionally Focussed Couples Therapy helps by:
- Reducing conflict by understanding the emotional needs beneath reactive patterns.
- Rebuilding trust after periods of distance, stress, or rupture.
- Strengthening intimacy by fostering emotional openness and responsiveness.
- Improving communication through increased safety and connection.
- Supporting healing from relational injuries, misunderstandings, or long-standing patterns.
How I work:
I use a calm, supportive space and a collaborative approach, helping you together in finding and understanding the repeating patterns of conflict within your relationship that cause disconnection and distance. These patterns cause difficult emotions which, once identified and seen, can be safely shared and experienced.
Seeing these patterns and identifying your negative cycles enables you both to learn about your own and your partner's inner worlds and your emotional needs, fears and longings.
As we work through these emotions together, the bond between you is re-established and a deeper understanding is developed alongside a closer connection and increased safety within your relationship.
EFCT is suitable for couples at any stage of their relationship—whether you’re seeking support through a difficult period, wanting to reconnect, or hoping to deepen an already strong bond.
It requires each partner to be committed to working on the relationship and willing to change.
Emotional closeness, safety and intimacy is essentially seen as being at the core of a loving and meaningful relationship.
Sessions & Fees
Sessions are £100 and last for 75 minutes.
Sessions can be face-to-face, online via Zoom, or a mixture of both. I work from a variety of beautiful, comfortable and relaxing counselling spaces in and around Lymington and The New Forest.
Get in Touch
If you would like to ask any questions and find out whether you feel we could work effectively together, please email me (hello@rebeccamelvillepsychotherapy.com) to arrange a free 20 minute phone consultation.
It is important for you to find the right therapist for you, so that you can get the most benefit from your psychotherapy.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential.
“The most common form of despair is not being who you are” – Kierkegaard