Emotionally Focused Therapy
Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is a treatment developed by Dr. Sue Johnson. Sometimes called EFT therapy, this reflective approach often focuses on the connection between emotional responses and physical needs in relationships. EFT therapy may help you with control and navigating unhelpful emotions. Emotion focused therapy primarily focuses on adult relationships, including marital distress and relationships with family members, as well as secure attachment and bonding.
The core principles of emotionally focused therapy (EFT) hold that short-term therapy can change problematic interpersonal relationships, improve negative interaction patterns, and help individuals deal with an insecure attachment bond.
A substantial body of EFT research shows that this therapeutic approach is highly effective, and EFT patients can demonstrate remarkable improvement. EFT therapy can be explored in person or through online methods. EFT can be either an individual therapy experience or undertaken with others; emotionally focused therapy can be a way to repair family bonds, while emotionally focused couples therapy can be a helpful couple intervention that may help both people with increasing awareness of their feelings and restructuring interactions with each other.
Emotionally focused therapy: Emotions and health
EFT therapy typically includes nine steps. During an EFT therapy session, individuals, couples, or families may explore the experience and corresponding behaviors, which could help identify the roles played in relationships. The effect of specific actions on the connection might also be discussed.
In couples therapy, the emotionally focused therapist may assess how a couple interacts. The emotionally focused therapist may develop and encourage a change process to form a secure base and stronger adult attachment bonds between the individuals. Negative cycle interactions are de-escalated and changed through this method. Therapeutic approaches to EFT therapy interventions with couples typically involve providing a safe haven where these couples can have a non-judgmental, open discussion and can express their feelings without fear.
At the beginning of EFT therapy, you may identify the primary concerns in a relationship and establish the triggers for conflict. You may discuss arguments, attachment theory, and the process of coming to an agreement. At this stage, the emotionally focused therapist might identify any fears and unpleasant feelings contributing to negativity or conflict. Emotionally focused therapy practitioners may help you describe your desires and come up with new ways to see negative feelings. Your therapist may also recommend resources like the Hold Me Tight book, which discusses emotionally focused couples and family therapy options.
Next, the emotionally focused therapist might help the couple change negative patterns by allowing them to voice their feelings. Distressed couples are then taught how to express their needs and accept the other party's needs. The final stage is when the couples are shown new communication methods to voice their problems and develop new solutions. Finally, the couple may learn how to use their newly acquired skills outside the therapy session.
EFT may improve romantic relationships
Emotionally focused couples therapy is often one of the most effective methods of reducing the conflict in relationships and may help the couples confront communication issues. Emotionally focused couples therapy may be utilized for the following conflicts:
- Intimacy issues
- Insecure attachment
- Commitment issues
- Difficulty communicating
- Emotional suppression
- Misunderstandings
- Marital conflict
- Divorce
- Differing values
- Impulse control
In many instances, when couples deal with significant relationship concerns, they experience anger and resentment. Through EFT therapy, the couples may become more aware of their feelings, the effect of their actions on the relationship, and how they can overcome conflict and communicate their emotions in a healthy way.
Attachment theory & emotionally focused therapy
EFT therapy applies the principles from attachment theory. As outlined in a book called Attachment theory in practice: Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) with individuals, couples, and families by Johnson, S.M., attachment styles formed in infancy later affect how individuals bond as adults. The healthiest attachment style is secure attachment. Individuals who struggle with insecure attachment styles can work toward a more secure attachment style through therapy. The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy states that emotionally focused therapy is “uniquely capable of establishing and restoring supportive bonds among individuals, couples, and families.”
Self-reliance
EFT therapy may be used to work with individuals. Emotions focused therapy can help someone become more self-assured or confident in relationships. This focus therapy may also help the individual expand and broaden their responses in their key relationships.
If the individual has attachment issues, trauma, or a personality disorder, this EFT therapy may benefit them by helping them notice their feelings in response to triggers and memories.
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
Improving communication
Families may utilize emotionally focused therapy. Emotionally focused therapists may work to assess the underlying feelings in the family's interaction patterns and help them communicate based on these observations. Emotionally focused therapy may improve the family process for navigating conflict. EFT therapy may help each family member understand how to compromise and validate others in the family. In the family setting, emotionally focused therapy may be valuable in dealing with complex situations such as divorce, blended families, or behavioral problems in teens.
Emotionally focused therapy strengths
Emotionally focused therapy may help clients increase their awareness and learn how to deal with their hidden emotions instead of avoiding them. Emotionally focused therapy is performed by certified therapists who typically undergo specialized training at university training centers and are required to stay updated on the latest empirical research around developing emotionally focused therapy techniques. Additionally, studies support the effectiveness of emotionally focused therapy for individuals, families, and couples. Though emotionally focused therapy is commonly used for improving adult relationships, this therapy can also be effective for treating mental health problems such as PTSD.
Limitations of EFT
Some other therapists have criticized emotionally focused therapy, arguing that more research is needed to determine its effectiveness. This critique is not uncommon for a therapeutic technique – within the field of psychological research, there are often ongoing discussions and studies addressing the efficacy of various treatments.
EFT therapy focuses primarily on relational and attachment-based difficulties. It may not benefit those seeking support for their individual concerns or non-interpersonal conflicts. Additionally, the process of understanding your emotions better is typically a lifelong learning endeavor, so understand that EFT therapy will likely not “fix” all of your relationships. Discuss your options with a medical professional when making a choice about which therapeutic technique is best for you.
Finding emotionally focused therapists
There are many ways of finding an emotionally focused therapist, whether in non-public practice or otherwise. When searching for a therapist, ask about the potential therapist's training and level of education regarding EFT. Emotionally focused therapists often understand that knowing their background can be crucial to patients and may be willing to talk with you about their area of study.
If you face barriers to treatment, such as distance, costs, or availability, online therapy platforms like BetterHelp may benefit you. With online therapy, you won't have to commute to the clinical practice or try to fit your appointment in with a busy schedule. You can meet a therapist anytime, including at night or early in the morning. Studies show that online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy in treating many conditions. Additionally, if you're looking for online couples therapy, platforms like Regain may offer value.
Takeaway
If you, your relationship, or your family are struggling with interpersonal concerns or attachment, EFT might be rewarding. EFT often focuses on attachment styles, emotions, and behavior and how these can impact your body and mind. If you're ready to start, consider contacting a counselor.
What is emotionally focused therapy?
Psychology Today describes emotions-focused therapy as “a form of short-term therapy that aims to improve couple relationships by rekindling the physical and emotional bond.” EFT therapy is based on the idea that one's emotions and emotional responses are strongly linked to early childhood attachments to caregivers. The primary goal is to increase emotional awareness and thereby create secure bonds and decrease negative interactions within relationships.
How is emotionally focused therapy based on emotions?
EFT therapy is based on the idea that adults have varying attachment styles that they learned as children and that unhealthy emotional responses are often tied to their attachment style. Emotions-focused therapy is one of the experiential approaches that works to promote adaptive emotions that support self regulation and decrease emotional distress, thereby supporting healthier relationships.
Is EFT therapy?
EFT therapy is recognized as a type of clinical psychology. Emotions-focused therapy has been validated as an evidence-based practice by the American Psychological Association, and it’s been proven effective in clinical trials.
How successful is EFT in supporting mental health?
EFT therapy has been shown to be highly effective in alleviating relationship difficulties. It’s also been shown to improve overall mental health, as in one study in which EFT therapy proved efficacious for anxiety disorders.
How do EFT therapists heal trauma?
Emotions-focused therapists use a therapy process based on an experiential approach. They investigate the emotion schemes of both people in a couple developed during early childhood attachments and use these techniques called change strategies to create a strong emotional bond between both members of a couple. Positive cycles of behavior can create and maintain such bonds of love. This person centered type of therapy can lead to both a stronger relationship and individual growth. EFT therapy can be delivered in a therapy office or via online platforms.
How long does it take for EFT to work?
Emotions-focused therapy is meant to be a short term treatment that often takes between 8 and 20 sessions.
Are there any negative effects of emotionally focused therapy?
There are no negative effects of EFT therapy, but in some cases EFTtherapy is not effective in helping couples, especially if one or both partners are not open to therapeutic interventions. If one or the other partner is experiencing other high risk behaviors or mental health conditions, these conditions will need to be treated separately in order for EFT to be effective.
CBT vs. emotionally focused therapy?
CBT and EFT therapy both address human functioning, emotions, and behavior, but there are some major differences between the two approaches. CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, is a therapeutic problem-solving approach in which clients investigate their mental processes in order to make behavioral changes in their lives. It can be applicable to a variety of situations and mental health conditions. EFT therapy is more focused on emotional experience and expression and is largely used in couples therapy.
What training does an EFT therapist need?
An emotions-focused therapist needs to complete a master’s degree program in psychology or clinical social work, complete a certain number of supervised training hours, and pass a state licensing exam. From there, they can get training and certification from one of a few emotions-focused therapy centers such as the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy.
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