Dr. Kristen Dreyfus, LMFT

How attachment work and emotion-focused methods translate online

Attachment-based work helps people see how past relationships shape present reactions. Online sessions can be used to notice patterns, practice new ways of relating, and rehearse different responses between meetings. Emotionally-Focused Therapy focuses on the emotional steps that keep relationship cycles going; online conversations can surface those feelings and guide shifts in how people reach for each other. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and improve sleep and stress, and those exercises can be practiced outside of sessions and discussed over chat or phone. Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about their goals, test different strategies, and adapt methods based on what helps most. This is a collaborative process where methods are chosen to match needs, pace, and preference rather than applied rigidly. Online formats offer practical flexibility. Video calls approximate face-to-face meetings and allow for visual cues. Phone sessions work well when video is difficult or bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging are useful for brief check-ins, problem-solving between sessions, or when a shorter, written exchange fits into a busy day. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, childcare, or health constraints while keeping momentum on personal goals.