Emotionally Focused Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is one of the best-validated couples interventions, and offers a comprehensive theory of adult love and attachment as well as a process for healing troubled relationships. It recognizes that relationship distress results from a perceived threat to basic security and closeness in intimate relationships.
This systematic therapy focuses on helping partners restructure the emotional responses that maintain their negative interaction patterns. Through a series of three phases broken down into nine distinct steps, the therapist leads the couple away from conflict-deadlock into new bonding interactions.
For more than 15 years, Sue Johnson, Les Greenberg and their colleagues have developed and rigorously researched this short-term approach. It is now one of the most clearly delineated approaches in the field of couples therapy.
Phases and Steps of the EFT Process
Phase 1 Assess and De-Escalate
Step 1 - Identify the Conflict
Step 2 - Identify the Cycle where the Conflict is Expressed
Step 3 - Access Unacknowledged Emotions
Step 4 - Reframe: Victims of the Cycle and Now Allies Against It
Phase 2 Change Events
Step 5 - Promote Identification of Disowned Needs
Step 6 - Promote Partner Acceptance
Step 7 - Facilitate Expression of Needs and Wants
Phase 3 Consolidation of Change
Step 8 - New Solutions
Step 9 - Consolidation
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