Each year on October 10, we mark World Mental Health Day — a global reminder that mental health is not just an individual experience, but a shared responsibility. This year, we highlight how families play an essential role in fostering emotional well-being, connection, and resilience. 

At Sageview Health, we believe that supporting mental health often begins within the family — in the relationships where understanding, empathy, and growth take root. One therapeutic approach that captures this beautifully is Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT).

What is Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)?

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) is a research-based, compassion-driven approach that empowers parents, caregivers, and families to play an active role in their loved one’s emotional healing. 

Originally developed to support families coping with eating disorders, EFFT is now used to address a wide range of mental health concerns — including anxiety, depression, emotion regulation challenges, and relationship distress. 

At its core, EFFT teaches that emotions are not problems to be solved — they are signals to be understood. 

How EFFT Works

EFFT helps caregivers strengthen emotional bonds by learning to: 

  • Support emotional expression rather than avoiding or minimizing feelings 
  • Validate emotions before trying to fix them 
  • Recognize and manage their own emotional responses — such as fear, guilt, or frustration — that can make supporting a loved one difficult 
  • Repair disconnections when relationships feel strained 

The goal is to create a foundation of emotional safety and mutual understanding where healing and growth can occur. 

Why EFFT Matters for Mental Health

EFFT aligns closely with the mission of World Mental Health Day: to promote awareness, compassion, and connection. By involving families directly in therapy, we create lasting pathways to healing that extend beyond the therapy room. 

When families learn to communicate through emotions — rather than around them — they cultivate resilience, trust, and a sense of belonging that supports lifelong well-being. 

Emotion-Focused Parenting at Sageview Health

In addition to  EFFT to parents individually, at Sageview Health we offer  Emotion-Focused Parenting Skills Workshops several times a year, designed to help caregivers learn and apply EFFT principles in a supportive, educational setting. 

Through these workshops, parents and caregivers learn: 

  • How to respond to strong emotions with confidence and empathy 
  • How to manage their own emotional reactions during moments of stress 
  • How to build deeper emotional connections with their children 

These workshops provide both practical tools and emotional insight — helping caregivers feel more equipped to support their child’s mental health and strengthen family resilience. 

Learn more about our Emotion-Focused Parenting Skills Workshops here. 

Ready to Learn More?

If you’re interested in individual EFFT or our Emotion-Focused Parenting workshops, our team of clinicians can help you find the right fit for your family’s needs. 

📍 Learn more at sageviewhealth.ca 
📞 Contact us to book a consultation 

This World Mental Health Day

Let’s honour World Mental Health Day by embracing what unites us — our shared need for connection, understanding, and support. 

When families grow in emotional awareness, entire communities become stronger.