Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) is a therapeutic approach that is derived from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples but adapted for use with individuals. While EFT primarily focuses on the dynamics and attachment patterns between partners in a romantic relationship, EFIT is designed to address the emotional and attachment needs of individuals.

EFIT recognizes that our emotions and attachment experiences significantly influence our mental health and well-being. The therapy aims to help individuals develop a secure attachment to themselves and others, and to process and regulate their emotions in a healthy way.

In EFIT, the therapist works collaboratively with the individual to explore their emotions, underlying needs, and attachment patterns. The therapist helps the client gain insight into how past attachment experiences and relationships have shaped their emotional responses and current struggles. 

By developing a better understanding of their emotions and attachment needs, clients can work towards building healthier relationships with themselves and others.

The key principles and techniques of EFIT are similar to those used in EFT for couples but are applied to an individual therapeutic context. The therapy typically involves the following elements:

1.  Exploration of emotions: The therapist helps the individual identify and explore their emotions, including their patterns of emotional avoidance, suppression, or over-reaction. This process encourages the individual to develop a greater awareness of their emotional experiences.

2.  Understanding attachment patterns: The therapist assists the individual in recognizing their attachment style and how it influences their relationships and emotional well-being. This involves exploring early attachment experiences and how they have shaped their current patterns of relating.

3.  Emotion regulation and processing: EFIT focuses on helping individuals develop effective emotion regulation strategies. The therapist supports the individual in learning how to identify and express their emotions in a healthy and adaptive manner, rather than resorting to maladaptive coping mechanisms.

4.  Building secure attachment: The therapist helps the individual cultivate a secure attachment to themselves, fostering self-compassion, self-acceptance, and self-soothing abilities. Additionally, EFIT can also explore ways to develop and strengthen healthy attachment relationships with others, such as friends, family, or support networks.

EFIT is an attachment science-based approach, derived and adapted from traditional Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). It can be effective in addressing a wide range of issues, including relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, trauma, and unresolved grief.