Blog Articles
Meet Tammy Sheehan, Our Care Coordinator
Care Coordinator, Tammy Sheehan
Welcome to Our Therapy Practice in Reno
Welcome to our practice specializing in EFT couple therapy, marriage counseling, family therapy, and individual counseling in Reno! Taking the first step toward therapy can feel daunting, but we’re here to make the process seamless and welcoming. From the moment you contact us by phone or email, our priority is to create a warm, supportive, and confidential environment. Your therapeutic journey begins with that initial connection.
Your First Contact with Our Team
I, or a member of our team, will be your first point of contact. Our caring, non-judgmental, and experienced EFT therapists in Reno will take the time to listen to your needs and concerns. We’ll conduct a brief, non-clinical assessment to ensure our practice is the right fit for you. We understand that seeking help is a significant decision, and we want you to feel confident and comfortable in your choice of therapist.
How We Make the Process Easy
Once we confirm a good fit, we’ll guide you through scheduling your first appointment and completing any required paperwork. Our practice is fully paperless, meaning all necessary documentation is completed through our secure, HIPAA-compliant online portal. Here’s how to get started:
- After the initial intake, we email each client an invitation to the portal. You may also arrange a brief consultation with one of our therapists.
- Complete the online forms within 36 hours to hold your appointment.
- Attend your first appointment.
- Use the portal’s online scheduling feature for future appointments.
If anything feels difficult, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Attachment-Based Therapy in Reno
Individual & Relationship Counseling Associates specializes in attachment-based EFT marriage, individual, family, and couple counseling. We believe this approach offers a powerful path to healing and growth. Whether you’re seeking to improve your relationships, address family dynamics, or explore personal challenges, our commitment is to make this journey accessible and supportive for you.
Call us at 775-235-2205 to learn more about EFT couple counseling, individual or family therapy, or EFT marriage therapy in Reno. We’ll help you schedule a no-cost consultation with one of our therapists.
Meet Reno Therapist Helen Going, LCSW
Hi, I’m Helen Going, LCSW, a Therapist in Reno
I’m a relationship counselor in Reno; a licensed clinical social worker with advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). After earning my Master of Social Work at UNR and completing my clinical internship locally, I’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients across various settings in Northern Nevada.
As a lifelong learner, I’m committed to continually enhancing the skills I bring to my counseling practice. My extensive lived experience has given me a profound appreciation for the distress emotional and relationship struggles can cause. I am dedicated to providing compassionate, effective support.
How Emotionally Focused Therapy Can Transform Your Relationships
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a powerful approach that focuses on understanding and reshaping the emotional bonds that drive relationships. Whether in couples therapy or individual sessions, EFT provides the tools to address disconnection and conflict, promoting healthier, more fulfilling connections. By working through emotional patterns and attachment needs, EFT empowers you to create lasting, meaningful change in your relationships.
Why I Do Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy
As a relationship counselor in Reno, there’s nothing more rewarding to me than seeing a couple discover each other in a completely new light…gaining an understanding of one another’s struggles in a way that feels manageable and empowering. I love helping people connect more joyfully and effectively with themselves and their loved ones.
EFT has become the foundation of my work because it aligns perfectly with my passion and values. While I’ve trained in various treatment modalities, EFT stands out for its gentle, effective approach. It creates a safe space where clients can experience themselves and their relationships in new ways.
EFT isn’t about assigning blame or focusing on superficial “tips and tricks.” Instead, it delves into the root causes of disconnection in relationships. Using the framework of attachment, EFT helps couples identify and reframe destructive patterns. This approach empowers them to create authentic, lasting change that goes far beyond surface-level communication strategies.
Why I Do Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy
In addition to working with couples, I provide EFT-based individual therapy in Reno. While EFT is best known for its success in couples therapy, its principles—emotional awareness, expression, and connection—are equally transformative for individuals facing personal challenges.
I’m drawn to individual therapy because it allows me to explore each person’s unique emotional landscape. Whether you’re grappling with relationship struggles, past traumas, anxiety, or depression, EFT provides a compassionate framework for uncovering the root causes of your difficulties and fostering healing.
In our sessions, we’ll work together to identify and express your emotions in a supportive, judgment-free space. We’ll also explore the attachment patterns and unmet needs that may be contributing to your struggles. By deepening your understanding of yourself, you’ll gain the tools to make empowered choices in your relationships and in life.
Individual EFT therapy is about more than addressing immediate concerns; it’s about helping you build healthier, more fulfilling connections with yourself and others. Whether or not you’re currently in a relationship, this approach can be transformative for personal growth, emotional well-being, and fostering meaningful connections.
For answers to some of the most common questions about therapy with me, click here.
Ready to begin? Call me at 775-235-2205, and I’d be happy to discuss what’s happening for you and how I can help.
Session Rate: $165 for 55 minutes. Insurance accepted includes: Hometown Health Plan
Nevada License: #10250-C
Therapist in Reno, NV: Specialities and Expertise
- Relationship Issues
- Marital and Premarital
- Life Transitions
- Anxiety
- Bisexual
- Depression
- Divorce
- Grief
- Infertility
- Lesbian
- LGBTQ+
- Mood Disorders
Meet Reno Therapist Amanda Stewart, LCSW
EFT Therapist
Relationship Therapist in Reno
Hello, I’m Amanda Stewart, a relationship therapist in Reno. I work with couples, individuals and families. I was born and raised in Florida. However, after moving out west following graduation from college, I fell in love with this area and have made Reno my home ever since. I have been licensed as a clinical social worker and practicing therapy since 2002. I am ICEEFT Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist and supervisor for clinical social work interns. My undergraduate work was completed in 1995 at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia.
I am passionate about my work with couples, individuals and children and their families. Emotionally Focused Therapy, EFT, has been an ideal way to bring Attachment Theory to my work with all of these clients. EFT has also been a very natural fit for me as a person. It lends to compassion, openness, non-judgment, and meaningful change. It also fits our practice mission of providing a caring and effective therapy. Finally, I love having the EFT roadmap that lets me communicate clearly with my clients about where we are in the change process.
Here is a link to some of the most common questions about therapy with me.
Call 775-235-2205 to arrange a brief phone consult with me. Amanda’s session rate is $185 per 55-minutes.
Nevada License Number: 4260-C
Ages 10 years-old+
Top Specialties
- Marital and Premarital
- Relationship Issues
Expertise
- Anxiety
- Child
- Depression
- Divorce
- Family Conflict
- Parenting
- Trauma and PTSD
Meet Cornelius Sheehan, LCSW- Director and Therapist
Counseling with Reno Therapist Cornelius Sheehan, LCSW
About me as a therapist:
For more than 20 years, I have worked with couples and individuals. I understand how important it is to have a secure, connected, and hopeful relationship. I specialize in attachment-based, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for individuals, marriages, couples, and families in Reno. I am certified as an Emotionally Focused Therapist and Supervisor. I use primarily EFT in my work with couples, individuals, and families. The things I appreciate most about EFT are its effectiveness, research-based approach, and strong theoretical foundation. But EFT is also a client-centered model. A client-centered model of therapy means that the therapist prioritizes the client’s perspective, emotions, and autonomy in the therapeutic process.
A few years ago, I started Individual & Relationship Counseling Associates in Reno, NV. A small, collaborative therapy group dedicated to excellence in attachment-focused therapy.
I have had the privilege of helping hundreds of couples and families repair ruptures and connect again. Along the way, helping at least as many individual clients become more self-aware and accepting. I’ve supported these clients in successfully dealing with depression, anxiety, and relationship problems.
Attachment theory’s empathy, curiosity, and non-judgmental stance align with my natural style. Although I bring expertise in therapy, I see you as the expert on your life and goals. Thus, I commit to approaching our work together with humility and curiosity.
One of my proudest professional achievements is starting a counseling program for inmates at the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office in 2004. We developed a novel and highly successful program to help reduce recidivism, especially for “failure to comply” violations. The program was funded by inmate purchases. I actively participated in these programs until 2011, when I dedicated myself full-time to private practice.
Another accomplishment that has brought me a lot of joy has been mentoring students and interns, guiding them to find their unique paths as professionals in the field of therapy.
About me as a person:
I always remember being profoundly curious about people and relationships. We are all so complex, with so much happening beneath the surface.
I find this complexity fascinating. I feel lucky that my interest has guided me to a profession I love. Moreover, it motivates me to stay current with changes in the field.
My wife Tammy and I live with our three rescue dogs. We have three adult children. Born in San Francisco, I have lived briefly in a few different places, but Reno has always remained home base.
Learn more about therapy in Reno with Cornelius
You can inquire about counseling in Reno with Cornelius Sheehan, LCSW and our team of highly-trained EFT therapists here. Call us at 775-235-2205 and we’ll be happy to discuss how we can help. Sessions with Cornelius range from $185 to $200 for 55-min meetings, and $255 for 90-minutes. Insurances accepted include Hometown Health Plan. Two-day weekend intensive sessions are available (call for details).
Cornelius is invested in Reno and Nevada:
Since 1974, I have resided in Reno, deeply committed to this community. I attended Reno High School and UNR. I actively participate in various advisory roles for Reno and the State of Nevada.
Additionally, I founded Relationship Health Counseling Associates to enhance services for clients in this area and provide highest quality professional development for therapist interns in Reno.
Cornelius specializes in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT for couples, individuals and families). He supervisors clinical interns and candidates for EFT Certification. He is the Founder / Director of rceft.org, the Reno/Tahoe Community for Emotionally Focused Therapy. You can learn more about EFT at rceft.org and iceeft.com. ICEEFT is the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Nevada License Number: 5605-C
Cornelius works with clients aged 18-years and older, and children in the context of family therapy.
Cornelius’s Specialties and Expertise
Top Specialties
- Relationship Issues
- Anxiety
- Depression
Expertise
- Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist
- Divorce
- Family Conflict
- Marital and Premarital
- Cancer
- Grief
- Infidelity
- Internet Addiction
- Lesbian
- Men’s Issues
- Mood Disorders
- Parenting
- Peer Relationships
- Self Esteem
- Veterans
Counseling Help for Families with Teens
Understanding and Communicating with Teens
“If you are raising a teen child, you’re likely familiar with something like this: “I need to feel understood…I need you to hear me (BUT DON’T EXPECT ME TO TALK!)” This common challenge in parenting teens highlights the crucial need for effective communication strategies and, in some cases, professional family counseling for teens.
The “Hold Me Tight, Let Me Go” Program
Drs. Paul and Nancy Aikin have created a program called “Hold Me Tight, Let Me Go.” It helps families with teens. This program offers guided conversations. These assist parents and caregivers in understanding their kids better. It’s vital for family health. It helps teens to share more, improving family dynamics. Often, this is enough to boost family communication and understanding.
Integrating Counseling for Teens
Sometimes, counseling for teens is also needed. It complements the conversation techniques. Counseling aims to give teens a voice. It helps them handle emotions and thoughts positively. It’s useful for issues like anxiety, depression, or social challenges. These are common in adolescence.
Counseling often includes the entire family. It ensures teens are heard. Parents learn supportive techniques. This includes active listening and empathy. Families learn to share in a safe environment.
In conclusion, “Hold Me Tight, Let Me Go” starts vital family conversations. Adding counseling for teens can tackle deeper problems. This combination fosters open communication and expert guidance. It helps navigate teenage complexities. For struggling families, this approach can greatly strengthen relationships.
Paul and Nancy appeared on the “That Relationship Show” podcast recently. You can learn more about family workshops here, www.eftfamilies.com
Perspectives on Depression
Understanding Depression
Depression is a complex and deeply painful experience that affects millions of people worldwide. Understanding depression involves recognizing its many causes and how it impacts daily life. This short video offers varied perspectives on the causes and management of depression, as well as how therapy can support those struggling with it. While the views presented in the video align in some ways, one perspective stood out to me: the role of social factors such as isolation, rejection, exclusion, and feelings of inadequacy. These experiences often evoke a depressed mood, even when other aspects of life seem stable or positive.
The Role of Social Factors in Depression
Social factors play a critical role in understanding depression. Experiences of isolation or rejection can profoundly impact our emotional well-being. These feelings not only diminish our sense of belonging but also challenge our ability to regulate emotions effectively. This perspective aligns closely with an attachment-based view of emotion regulation, which emphasizes the importance of secure relationships in helping individuals manage and process emotions.
From an attachment perspective, strong, supportive connections allow us to reflect on our experiences rather than feeling overwhelmed by them. When these connections are absent or strained, it becomes much harder to navigate difficult emotions. This is why addressing the social dimensions of depression is essential for understanding depression. Also, for healing and recovery. This is not the only focus though, and your therapist will clarify for you.
How Emotionally Focused Therapy Addresses Depression
First, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) takes a relational approach. EFT is rooted in attachment theory and offers a powerful approach to understanding depression. EFT helps individuals, couples, and families create or strengthen secure emotional bonds. By fostering connection and emotional safety, this therapy provides a framework for addressing the underlying causes of depression, such as feelings of disconnection and loneliness.
Often, this relational focus happens with only the client present (although, it’s been said we always go into therapy with the cast of characters most important to us- held in mind). Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) brings a relational, attachment-based approach to individual therapy. You can learn more about EFIT here.
2020-21 Emotional Wellness Programs for Teams
The Emotional Wellness Program is an education and interactive process program designed to normalize the importance of emotion in strengthening and repairing teammate relationships within an organization.
Notes, links and curated list of YouTube videos will be made available.
Hear EFT Pioneer, Dr. Sue Johnson on creating, protecting, and nourishing relationship
This Dr. Sue Johnson interview provided exclusive insights to creating, protecting and nourishing relationship!
Contact us at 775-235-2205 for a free consultation about strenghtening your relationship.
Couples Therapy in Reno for Trauma Survivors
In remembrance of 9/11 The New York Center Of Emotionally Focused Therapy made this video. George Faller, LMFT – retired firefighter shares his experience of the day and how he became a Couples/Family Therapist after the tragedy. George is now an international trainer for EFT.
Understanding Couple Therapy for Trauma Survivors
Trauma disrupts individuals and their closest relationships, often making connection and trust challenging. Survivors frequently develop survival strategies, like withdrawal or hypervigilance, that create emotional distance. We do marriage therapy for trauma survivors based on EFT. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), pioneered by Dr. Sue Johnson, helps couples repair this distance by fostering trust and emotional safety. Through EFT, trauma survivors and their partners can rebuild strong, supportive bonds.
Trauma Reshapes Relationships
Trauma changes how people perceive safety and closeness. Survivors often struggle with trusting their partners or may unintentionally push them away to protect themselves. These reactions stem from survival instincts rather than relationship shortcomings. Marriage therapy provides tools to help couples understand these patterns and work through the impact of trauma together.
How EFT Heals Trauma in Relationships
EFT actively addresses the behaviors that disconnect couples. Therapists guide partners to recognize how trauma influences their actions and feelings. For example, a partner’s withdrawal may signal fear rather than disinterest. EFT helps couples replace these protective habits with meaningful connection. This process deepens understanding, increases empathy, and strengthens emotional bonds.
To learn more about the principles of EFT, explore this introduction to Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Rebuilding Trust and Intimacy
Marriage therapy with EFT transforms relationships into safe havens where healing can occur. Partners learn to communicate openly, respond with compassion, and create a secure attachment. For trauma survivors, this connection builds the trust and resilience needed to overcome the lingering effects of past experiences.
If you and your partner are ready to heal together, visit our contact page or call us to schedule a consultation. You can also explore our approach to marriage therapy and how it helps couples navigate challenges.
Through EFT, couples can reclaim closeness and create a supportive, fulfilling relationship—even after trauma.