About Ed Peterson

Ed Peterson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Certified Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Therapist, and Certified EFT Supervisor at Peterson Family Therapy in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Entries by Ed Peterson

You Have More Power Over Your Anxiety Than You Think

August 1, 2025/by Ed Peterson

Anxiety is debilitating, but we have more power to self-soothe than we realize. Try this simple breathing technique…

A Simple Way to Lift Your Mood: The Power of Gratitude

July 18, 2025/by Ed Peterson

When you’re feeling sad, scared, or angry, consciously ask: ‘What am I grateful for right now?’ Start with your body and watch your mood rise.

The Power of Sharing Therapeutic Dilemmas with Clients

July 14, 2025/by Ed Peterson

In this blog post, I want to comment on this idea of sharing with clients as a therapist—sharing some of the dilemmas, thoughts, and feelings that I’m having as we’re doing therapy together.

Alone I Am Weak—But If Deeply Connected to Others, I Can Thrive

July 2, 2025/by Ed Peterson

Learn why isolation worsens anxiety and depression, and how deep connection is essential for mental health.

Accepting People As They Are While Still Expecting Growth

July 1, 2025/by Ed Peterson

We have to remember that people don’t completely change their personality. To be emotionally healthy and have healthy relationships, we need to have a certain level of understanding that people aren’t perfect. We must see people as they are now.

How to Choose the Right Therapist in Salt Lake City

June 16, 2025/by Ed Peterson

Choosing a therapist is one of the most important decisions you can make for your mental health and relationships. Here’s what I believe you should prioritize when choosing a therapist in SLC, in order of importance.

Understanding Depression: A Pathway to Healing and Growth

May 28, 2025/by Ed Peterson

I want to share my perspective on understanding depression, how it impacts relationships, and most importantly, how we can treat it effectively.

How Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Transforms Relationships in Salt Lake City

May 14, 2025/by Ed Peterson

After 20+ years of providing couples therapy in Salt Lake City, I’ve seen firsthand how Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) can heal relationships that seemed beyond repair. As a certified EFT therapist and supervisor at Peterson Family Therapy, I want to share how this approach creates lasting change for couples in our community.

Vulnerability In Therapy Pays Big Dividends

May 25, 2019/by Ed Peterson

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, is a highly effective couples therapy modality that focuses on helping clients learn to communicate the softer primary emotions (think vulnerability, or the need for acceptance) that always lie underneath the more surface emotions (think anger, contempt, and defensiveness) that put us in a negative cycle of hurt and disconnection.

Depression and the Inner Critic

January 31, 2017/by Ed Peterson

When I have been the most depressed one constant was a brutally critical interior conversation. This inner critic was loud and menacing, usually communicating to me that I was worthless and weak, not worthy of love, and that getting out of the depression was unlikely. Over many years of cognitive and spiritual work I have […]