About Coherence Therapy

Coherence Therapy is a psychotherapy approach that focuses on identifying and transforming the emotional learnings that underlie unwanted symptoms and patterns. Developed by Bruce Ecker and Laurel Hulley, it draws on the neuroscience of memory reconsolidation—the brain's natural process for revising emotional memories. The approach helps clients discover the coherent, adaptive reasons why their symptoms exist, then creates experiences that may allow those underlying learnings to change at a fundamental level.

Memory reconsolidation is a neurological process where emotionally charged memories, once reactivated, can be modified rather than simply suppressed. In Coherence Therapy, the therapist helps the client access an emotional learning while simultaneously experiencing something that contradicts it. This juxtaposition may trigger the brain's reconsolidation process, potentially allowing the original learning to be transformed. Research suggests this process can lead to lasting change because it addresses the root cause rather than managing symptoms.

Coherence Therapy may be helpful for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, compulsive behaviours, and trauma responses. Because it focuses on the underlying emotional learnings that generate symptoms, many people find it particularly useful when other approaches have only provided temporary relief. The method is designed to address patterns that feel stuck or resistant to change by working at the level where those patterns originate.

In a Coherence Therapy session, your therapist will guide you through a process of experiential discovery. Rather than analyzing your problems from a distance, you may be invited to access the felt sense of your symptoms and explore what emotional truth lies beneath them. Sessions often involve noticing bodily sensations, uncovering implicit beliefs, and experiencing moments where old learnings are juxtaposed with new, contradictory knowledge. The pace is collaborative and guided by what emerges in each session.

Unlike approaches that focus primarily on changing thoughts or behaviours at a conscious level, Coherence Therapy targets the implicit emotional learnings stored in memory. It differs from cognitive-behavioural therapy in that it seeks to transform rather than counteract problematic patterns. While it shares some similarities with depth-oriented and experiential therapies, its specific focus on memory reconsolidation and the structured process of juxtaposition make it a distinct methodology. Some people find it helpful to explore related approaches like psychodynamic therapy or Emotion-Focused Therapy as well.

First Session's growing network includes therapists who incorporate Coherence Therapy into their practice. You can browse therapist profiles to learn about their training, watch intro videos to get a sense of their style, and book directly online. Since Coherence Therapy is a specialized approach, availability may vary by region. If you don't find a Coherence Therapy specialist nearby, consider exploring therapists who offer related experiential or depth-oriented approaches, as many therapeutic methods share complementary principles.