Emotion-Focused Therapy for Teens and Young Adults in Fort Wayne
Some feelings pass on their own. But others get stuck. Anger comes out as shutting down, sadness hides behind “I’m fine,” and shame lingers long after the moment is over. Emotion-focused therapy at Unwilted Counseling helps you reach those feelings safely and change the hold they have on you.
Free 15-minute consultation | Call or text (260) 255-6432 | Request an appointment
When Feelings Start Running the Show
Teens and young adults often come to emotion-focused therapy when their feelings seem either too loud or too quiet. Here’s what that can look like, and what the work focuses on:
What You’re Dealing With
-
Reactions that feel too big, especially anger
-
Numbness or “I don’t know what I feel”
-
A harsh inner critic
-
Hurt with a parent, ex, or friend that won’t settle
-
Low mood that keeps coming back
-
Anxiety that keeps you avoiding things
What Therapy Works On
-
Finding the feeling underneath so you can respond instead of react
-
Noticing and naming emotions as they show up in your body
-
Softening self-criticism and building self-compassion
-
Working through unfinished business in a safe space
-
Reaching healthier emotions, like self-protective anger or hope
-
Facing feared feelings at a pace you can handle
How Emotion-Focused Therapy Works at Unwilted
Psychologist Leslie Greenberg and colleagues at York University in Toronto developed emotion-focused therapy (EFT). Its central idea is that emotions carry useful information. When a feeling gets stuck, the goal isn’t to argue it away. Instead, therapy helps you experience it fully enough to change it, often by reaching a different, healthier feeling underneath. Greenberg’s phrase for this is “changing emotion with emotion.”
During sessions, Destina acts as an emotion coach. She helps you slow down, notice what’s happening in your body, and put words to it. When it fits, she may use structured exercises like chair work, where you speak to a part of yourself or to someone who hurt you. Still, these exercises are always optional and paced to your comfort.
Emotion-focused work is also one part of Unwilted’s broader relational style. Destina blends it with EMDR and IFS-informed work when those help, which you can read about on the emotionally focused and relational approach page.
What Sessions Feel Like Over Time
-
In early sessions, the focus is safety and trust. You talk about what’s been hard, and Destina pays close attention to the feelings behind your words. Nobody pushes you to go deeper than you’re ready for.
-
As therapy deepens, you start noticing patterns. Maybe frustration always turns into silence, or sadness flips into self-blame. Then you explore what those emotions need, whether that’s comfort, boundaries, or permission to grieve.
-
Later on, new responses begin to feel more natural. The goal is to feel more like yourself, steadier and less ruled by old reactions.
The Research Behind Emotion-Focused Therapy
Researchers have studied emotion-focused therapy most for depression. Two trials at York University, known as York I and York II, found that adding emotion-focused methods to supportive therapy improved results for adults with depression.
In a 2003 University of Toronto trial led by Jeanne Watson, emotion-focused therapy reduced depression about as well as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, EFT clients also showed greater improvement in relationship problems, becoming more assertive and less overly accommodating.
Still, most of this research involved adults. So at Unwilted, Destina adapts emotion-focused methods for teens and young adults and combines them with other established approaches.
Concerns Treated With Emotion-Focused Therapy
Emotion-focused therapy is part of care for a wide range of concerns teens and young adults bring to Unwilted:
Mood and emotions
-
Depression, low mood, and feeling flat or empty, through depression and mood disorder counseling
-
Anxiety and constant worry, through anxiety and depression therapy
-
Anger, mood swings, and emotions that feel too big, through emotion regulation counseling
-
Emotional numbness or trouble naming feelings
Relationships
-
Family conflict and attachment struggles, through relationship counseling
-
Breakups and first-relationship heartbreak, through relationship and breakup counseling
-
People-pleasing and trouble setting boundaries
Self-worth
-
A harsh inner critic, shame, and low confidence, through self-esteem and identity counseling
-
Perfectionism and burnout
Loss and change
-
Grief and the loss of a friend, family member, or relationship
-
Moves, graduations, and other big changes, through life transition counseling
Not sure where your concern fits? Bring it up during your free consultation, and Destina can tell you whether emotion-focused therapy is a good starting point.
Is Emotion-Focused Therapy a Good Fit?
Often a Good Fit If You...
-
Feel disconnected from your emotions
-
Feel swamped by emotions you can’t explain
-
Carry hurt from a relationship that won’t fade
-
Want lasting change, not just symptom management
Another Step May Come First If You...
-
Are in crisis or feel unsafe right now
-
Need coping skills to manage self-harm urges first
-
Struggle with trauma memories that flood your day
-
Want only short-term, structured skill-building
Even if something else comes first, emotion-focused methods can usually join the plan later. For example, skills from self-harm and emotional regulation therapy often lay the groundwork for deeper emotional work.
Emotion-Focused Therapy for Teens
Teens often hear “calm down” far more than “tell me what you’re feeling.” Emotion-focused therapy flips that, because it treats feelings as information. As a result, many teens find it validating instead of judging.
For clients ages 13 to 17, parents meet briefly at intake and receive general progress updates. What your teen shares in session stays private, except when safety is at risk. When it helps and your teen agrees, a parent can join a session. Learn how Unwilted approaches teen and young adult counseling.
Meet Your Therapist:
Destina Rekeweg, LMHC
Destina Rekeweg, LMHC, founded Unwilted Counseling in 2024 and sees every client herself. She works only with teens and young adults ages 13 to 25.
Her training includes a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, EMDR training, and ASIST suicide intervention training. She’s licensed in Indiana (license #39005463A) and is a member of the National Board for Certified Counselors. Since 2019, she has worked with young people in community mental health and social service settings.
Practical Details
-
Office: 3514 Stellhorn Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46815 (free parking, accessible)
-
Online: Secure, encrypted video anywhere in Indiana and eligible parts of Ohio
-
Session length: 50 minutes; 75 to 150 minute intensives also available
-
Fees: $160 intake assessment; $135 per session; intensives $202.50 to $405
-
Payment: Card, HSA/FSA, cash, check, or client portal
-
Insurance: Private pay; superbills available for out-of-network benefits
-
Hours: Mon to Thu 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fri 3 to 6 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
-
Cancellations: 48 hours’ notice
Prefer to meet from home? See how virtual therapy works at Unwilted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Emotion-Focused Therapy
No. Both use the initials EFT, but they’re different. Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy, developed by Sue Johnson, works with partners together. Emotion-focused therapy for individuals comes from Leslie Greenberg’s work. Unwilted offers individual sessions only, so the focus stays on your own emotions and relationships.
That’s a common starting point, not a problem. Many people come to emotion-focused therapy feeling numb or confused about their emotions. Sessions help you notice small physical cues, like tight shoulders or a heavy chest, and gradually connect them to feelings you can name and understand.
Not unless you choose to. Emotion-focused therapy does invite you to feel emotions in session, but you set the pace. Destina checks in often and helps you stay grounded. Some sessions feel intense, while others are calm and reflective. Both kinds move the work forward.
CBT mainly works on changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Emotion-focused therapy works on the feelings themselves, helping you experience and transform them. A 2003 trial found both reduced depression, while EFT also improved relationship problems more. At Unwilted, Destina can also add skills-based strategies when useful.
Yes. Emotion-focused therapy works well over secure video, since many clients feel more at ease opening up from home. Virtual sessions are available anywhere in Indiana and in eligible parts of Ohio. For this, you just need a private space and a stable internet connection.
Good Faith Estimate: Clients paying privately have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining expected costs of care. You may request this prior to scheduling.
Talk With Destina About Emotion-Focused Therapy
You don’t need to know exactly what you’re feeling to reach out. Start with a free 15-minute phone consultation to ask questions and get a sense of fit. Contact Unwilted Counseling, or call or text (260) 255-6432.
