Ashley Marie Eckstein, LMFT & Certified EFCT Therapist

11/17/2025

It’s still hot in Dallas, but looking forward to eventually getting sweater weather has me thinking about how cozy connection feels! I help couples experiencing disconnection build secure attachment and the connection is better than a perfect sweater on a cool day!

11/10/2025

There’s a new blog up at Attuned Hearts Counseling!

Why Couples Can’t Connect and Protect at the Same Time By: Ashley Marie Eckstein, LMFT When couples come to therapy, […]

11/09/2025

is something that doesn’t just happen. It is so much work, but the good news is, we don’t have to do it perfectly! Secure attachment is grown when you regularly repair after ruptures. When you tune in and try to get back to that deeper connection after a miss happened between you and your Sweetie. In I help couples see the places where they get stuck and miss each other and then guide them to tune into each other and make repairs. Reps of this over and over again grows a strong bond. 💕

11/08/2025

As humans, we all have longings and protections. The problem is, when our protections are high, it’s hard for our partners to see we long to connect with them. You really can’t connect and protect at the same time. In I track the negative cycle that gets couples stuck and help them clearly see both, the good reasons why they may have used their protections in the past, AND how it’s not serving them now. Only after this negative cycle is clear can couples usually learn to use different strategies. I love this simple reminder that we can’t connect and protect at the same time.

11/08/2025

I’m watching Hamilton tonight with my family and so many parts of this show remind me of the work I do in the therapy space. Even when I’m off the clock, I can’t NOT see attachment everywhere. As a I know how powerful eye contact is. When I’m able to guide one partner into deep emotion, I have them lock eyes with the other partner to share that emotion and this is where the magic happens. ✨ Looking into the eyes of the one you love, when they share their heart with you, the sky really becomes the limit. ❤️

11/04/2025

This is such a beautiful (and true) sentiment, but I know it’s not an easy task. I’ve had more than one client tell me that their deepest desire and greatest fear was the same thing: to be truly vulnerable with their partner. In we titrate. I get to help couples take baby steps, and then eventually big leaps, towards vulnerability with their partner. It is such sacred work and I feel privileged every time a couples comes into my office and allows me the honor of helping them get another step closer to deep connection and vulnerability with their partner. This kind of vulnerability is what creates real connection and real change.

10/28/2025

Attunement can be such a gift because don’t we all want to feel seen and heard? Feeling truly heard, especially when it’s by your special person, is incredibly regulating. Part of my work as a using involves helping partners express themselves in a way that the other partner can truly see and hear them on a deeper and different level.

10/27/2025

I often tell couples that as long as they are willing to fight for their relationships, I won’t give up on them.

10/23/2025

I believe most couples that come to see me WANT to do this, but they don’t know how. As a I know that before a couple can pave a different road, they have to be clear on the 3 Ps. They need the therapist to make explicit their pain, their protective move, and the partner impact (impact on the other partner). In we focus on making the implicit explicit so couples CAN pave a different road.

10/21/2025

Core Skills was game changer for leveling up my clinical skills with couples. This training gives you a clear map, so you’re never lost, and it’s backed up with research proving it works! Excited to welcome Doc Hawk LPC and Ryan Rana Professional Training back to North Texas for this incredible training! 🙌

Registration for Core Skills is now open! If you have completed an externship, this is your next step in EFT. We will sell out quickly so grab your spot and make sure to join the waitlist if you aren't able to get a ticket right now.

https://www.northtexaseft.com/product/eftc-core-skills-2026/

10/21/2025

Couples therapy is HARD work. I admire every client that has the courage to walk through my office doors and put in the work to transform their relationship into one as beautiful as a butterfly. 🦋 Shout out to all my clients who put in the work that nobody outside my therapy office ever sees.

10/19/2025

As usual, Sue Johnson says it best! It is not unreasonable to want validation from a significant person. This is a human NEED. We really do need each other!