About Us
Our
Story
Why
Emotionally
Focused
Therapy?
Heart to Heart Counseling Center is the product of personal and business evolution. Founded by Amy Jaynes in 2016 as a solo counseling practice in Peachtree City, the center has always focused on personal and relational well-being. As Amy’s passion for healing relational bonds using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) continued to grow, she became more active in the professional mental health community. She was speaking at local events, serving on boards, and generally spreading the word about the power of healing attachment.
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Through their service on the leadership team of the South Metro Atlanta Mental Health Network, Amy came to know Deana Riley as an equally passionate counselor who was also transforming relationships. In 2004, Deana founded Abundant Life, P.C., a thriving practice that, over time, had locations in Fayetteville, Sharpsburg, and Peachtree City. Deana brings over 30 years of experience and expertise to her clients, their families, and the professional community.
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Over time, it became clear that Deana and Amy shared the same vision and passion for this transformational work. In 2018, they decided to merge their successful practices and opened as The Center for Living Balance, Inc on February 1, 2019.
Then the COVID-19 Pandemic arrived in 2020.
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Amy and Deana were faced with a choice: close the doors or shift to a virtual counseling practice. Reluctantly, the practice shifted to a fully virtual format. Imagine the surprise when we discovered that the flexibility and accessibility of virtual counseling allowed us to serve more Georgians without compromising on the quality of the treatment we provide! In 2024, we rebranded the practice as Heart to Heart Counseling Center and returned to our roots: in person counseling. We now offer clients the ultimate flexibility, in person and virtual counseling for couples in both Peachtree City and Cumming.
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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a powerful and evidence-based approach to individual, family, and marriage counseling that focuses on fostering secure emotional bonds within relationships. At Heart to Heart, we specialize in providing EFT across Georgia, helping them rebuild trust, enhance communication, heal hurts, and strengthen their emotional connection.
Developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, EFT operates on the fundamental belief that emotions and attachment needs are at the core of human relationships. By addressing and reshaping negative emotional patterns and strengthening positive ones, you can experience transformative changes in your relationship.
During EFT for Couples sessions, our experienced marriage counselors create a safe and supportive environment where couples can explore their emotions, express their needs, and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their partners. The therapeutic process involves three key stages:
1. De-escalation: Couples learn to identify and manage destructive patterns of communication and interaction that contribute to conflicts. Our counselors help couples recognize the underlying emotions driving these patterns and guide them in finding healthier ways to express their needs.
2. Restructuring Interactions: With a foundation of emotional safety established, couples work towards developing new patterns of interaction that promote understanding, empathy, and responsiveness. They learn effective communication techniques that facilitate emotional connection and create a secure attachment bond.
3. Consolidation and Integration: In the final stage, couples solidify the positive changes they have made and integrate new ways of relating into their daily lives. Our counselors provide ongoing support, guidance, and tools to help couples navigate challenges and maintain their progress beyond the counseling sessions.
What sets EFT apart is its emphasis on creating a safe and trusting therapeutic alliance, understanding the emotional needs and fears that drive behavior, and facilitating deep emotional engagement between partners. Through this experiential therapy, couples see changes in session that, over time, begin to occur organically at home. EFT has been extensively researched and proven effective in helping couples overcome a wide range of issues, including communication difficulties, relationship distress, infidelity, and more. You can learn more about the research supporting EFT here.
At Heart to Heart Counseling Center, our dedicated team of therapists is extensively trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy. We bring a compassionate and collaborative approach to counseling, tailoring the therapy to meet the unique needs and goals of each couple. By utilizing EFT, we guide couples towards rebuilding and strengthening their emotional bonds, fostering lasting intimacy, and creating a fulfilling and satisfying relationship.
If you and your partner are seeking professional help to navigate the challenges in your marriage, we invite you to explore the transformative power of Emotionally Focused Therapy. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a happier, more connected, and deeply fulfilling relationship.