Ed Peterson
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Supervisor
EFT Certified Therapist
Jungian Therapist
Move your relationship
from conflict to
loving connection.
Candace Peterson, LCSW
Ed Peterson
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Supervisor
EFT Certified Therapist
Jungian Therapist
Move your relationship
from conflict to
loving connection.
Candace Peterson LCSW
Start your journey
toward healing.
Peterson Family Therapy is a family-owned counseling practice in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is operated by Ed and Candace Peterson. The practice helps support couples and families in crisis, individuals suffering from trauma and addiction issues, and anyone dealing with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues. Peterson Family Therapy is a member of The International Centre For Excellence In Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT).
Ed Peterson, LCSW, MBAHe/Him
Ed is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), a couples and family therapist, and a general mental health therapist. Ed is a Certified Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) therapist, and a Certified Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Supervisor.
Prior to founding Peterson Family Therapy, Ed was a Founding Partner at The EFT Clinic. Previously, he was the Clinical Director at the Balance House Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program. Prior to that, Ed was a therapist and primary counselor at The Cirque Lodge, a world-renowned drug and alcohol treatment center.
Ed’s style of therapy is a mixture of empathetic and compassionate listening, active confrontation, and treating the entire family system. He works with adults (ages 18 and above) and specializes in the following areas:
Ed believes that families need their own programs of recovery and he teaches the skills to improve family communication, improve self-care, and increase personal serenity. He also believes that families can recover from the pain and suffering of codependency if they learn to love appropriately, maintain healthy boundaries, and practice self-care.
Ed is the father of three and happily married to his partner Candace.
“My style is highly empowering and motivational I encourage my clients to get out of their comfort zones and take calculated emotional risks. I believe in inspiring them to do the hard emotional work needed for true recovery. I am passionate about the process of growth and change.”
Candace Peterson, LCSWShe/Her
Candace is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and couples therapist with advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). She brings over 20 years experience in the field of mental health.
Candace uses the following modalities and interventions in therapy:
Suicide Prevention and Crisis Therapy
Early in her career, Candace worked as a coordinator of volunteers at a suicide and crisis hotline. This profound experience led her to pursue a career in mental health.
Family Therapy
As one of her first jobs in the mental health field, Candace worked as a family preservation worker, meeting with families in their homes 8 hours a week for 6-8 weeks. It was an intensive program designed to help parents and children decrease conflict and increase connection, thus leading to a more healthy and safe environment—emotionally, physically and socially. Many families were at risk of the children being removed. Candace’s goal was to maintain the family unit. This experience helps Candace understand the unique challenges of families in crisis.
Trauma Therapy
Some of Candace’s favorite experiences have been working with active duty military and veterans. Many suffered symptoms of PTSD. This has led to a deeper understanding of trauma and its effects on the human condition. She helps her clients address limiting core beliefs, stuck points, mindfulness, and grief.
Addiction Recovery
Candace has more than a decade of work in addiction recovery, encompassing individual therapy and group therapy. This includes serving as the director of an in-patient detox unit and a mental health hospital. Candace’s clients appreciated her gentle and direct approach.
Couples Therapy
Candace has advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the gold standard for couples and family therapy.
Conduct a thorough assessment of each client, evaluating the presenting problems and complaints and assessing general mental health
Develop a relationship of trust and acceptance with the client, so that the client knows that they are seen and accepted
Therapy begins based on strategy mutually agreed upon between therapist and client
Continually work to fully understand the client emotionally and spiritually
“I believe people have the answers inside themselves to their problems and challenges. My style is highly empathetic and caring, while at the same time pushing clients to stretch and become who they authentically are, instead of living in the false identities that have kept them sick and unhappy. My job is to understand and accept the client 100% the way they are and then to assist them to make the changes they want and need to get he kind of life they want and deserve. It is a huge honor to be a witness to the positive changes that my clients make in their lives. I love what I do!”
Unfortunately, 40%-50% of marriages in the U.S. end in divorce. When your marriage is in crisis, it may feel hopeless. But the good news is that the right therapy can be game-changer. At Peterson Family Therapy, we often recommend and facilitate a technique called Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), one of the fastest growing models of couples therapy / marriage counseling available today. With EFT, 70-75% of couples report moving from distress to recovery and approximately 90% of couples show significant improvements*.
How Does Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Help Relationships?
Research indicates and clients report that EFT can help:
• Diffuse conflict, reduce ongoing tensions
• Feel closer and more connected to your partner
• Develop healthier, more satisfying communication
• Improve emotional and sexual intimacy
• Resolve old problematic issues in your relationship
• Deal with negative patterns and create deeper connections
How Long Has EFT Been in Use?
EFT is a structured approach to couples therapy formulated in the 1980’s and has developed alongside the science on adult attachment and bonding to expand our understanding about what is happening in couples’ relationships and to guide therapists.
An Example of the Change Process with EFT
In a therapy session, a husband’s numb withdrawal expands into a sense of helplessness, a feeling of being intimidated. He begins to assert his need for respect and, in doing so, becomes more accessible to his wife. He moves from “There is no point in talking to you. I don’t want to fight.” to “I do want to be close. I want you to give me a chance. Stop poking me and let me learn to be there for you.” His wife’s critical anger then expands into fear and sadness. She can now ask for and elicit comfort. She moves from “You just don’t care. You don’t get it.” to “It is so difficult to say – but I need you to hold me – reassure me – can you?”
New cycles of bonding interactions occur and replace negative cycles such as pursue-withdraw or criticize-defend. These positive cycles then become self-reinforcing and create permanent change. The relationship becomes a safe haven and a healing environment for both partners.
If you would like to learn more about the research about EFT, visit the website for The International Centre For Excellence In Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT).
Dr. Sue Johnson provides a brief summary of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). This leading edge, empirically validated form of therapy which is taught all over the world. EFT is based on the last 50 years of scientific research on bonding: bonding between mother and child and romantic bonds between partners. EFT provides a map to what matters in intimate relationships: how they work, how they go wrong, and what is needed to put them right.
* The International Centre For Excellence In Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT).
At Peterson Family Therapy, we believe that every relationship is unique. That’s why our goal is to treat you and your partner/spouse as unique people with unique needs. We would like to discuss your specific needs and goals in a brief consultation. Just reach out to us.
Addiction strikes people from a variety of backgrounds. People who suffer from addictions are often creative, very emotionally connected, and highly empathetic. But, addiction steals their lives and their joy. It can rip apart individuals and families.
Common addictions can include:
Addictive thinking is a key aspect of any addiction. Some examples of addictive thinking are:
Justification
“I drink or use drugs for a good reason and I deserve to feel better”
Denial
“I don’t have a bad problem; or, other people are much worse in their addiction; or, I am doing well at work, so I am not addicted, etc.”
Resentment/Blaming
“Other people are the cause of my drinking”
Anger
“The world is not fair so I rage”
Our Approach to Addiction Therapy
Step 1: We conduct an assessment to determine the level of addiction and to evaluate the client’s needs, which can range from:
Step 2: We formulate a plan that includes family participation
Step 3: We begin therapy
We then develop a relationship of trust and openness with the client. Once a solid therapist-client relationship has been established, we will:
Our Philosophy About Recovery From Addiction
We believe, as psychologist Carl Rogers did, that for people to heal they need:
We apply this philosophy by possessing a genuine desire to understand each client’s process and his/her struggle and pain. We try to ensure each client knows he/she is seen and heard, respected, and honored.
We express acceptance for each client where he or she is in the moment, and assure the client both verbally and non-verbally that he/she is important and accepted, We validate the client’s feelings and thoughts. This doesn’t mean approving of the addictive behavior, but rather helping the client understand that that the emotionally protective behavior (part of addiction) is a natural response to proposed change.
We pride ourselves on our natural empathy for others and we use active empathy as an intervention
We apply evidence-based interventions in our addiction therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Recovery from an addiction is about rebirth. It is about reconnecting to a true self that has been lost. We believe that clients are naturally healthy. Our job is to assist them as they heal and to guide them to develop their own internal therapist. This will help them reclaim their lives and master their thoughts and feelings.
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Peterson Family Therapy is a family-owned counseling practice in Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s operated by Ed and Candace Peterson, life partners with the desire and skill needed to help couples in crisis, individuals suffering from addiction issues, and anyone dealing with depression and anxiety. Peterson Family Therapy is a member of The International Centre For Excellence In Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT).
Peterson Family Therapy
4505 Wasatch Blvd, Suite 260
Salt Lake City, UT, 84124
(801) 809-7990 (Ed Peterson)
(801) 809-3410 (Candace Peterson)
