Introduction to Emotionally Focused Therapy: Understanding the Science of Relationship and Bonding
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DESCRIPTION:
UNDERSTANDING THE EFT PROCESS
Sue Johnson summarizes the EFT process this way:
Getting people out of the old destructive dance is one part of the work. The other is creating a new dance with different emotional music. And that is one thing that’s unique. We know where we want couple to go based on 100s & 100s of bonding conversations.
There are three stages in EFT-each with a specific goal.
OUTLINE:
3 STAGES OF EFT STEP BY STEP
STAGE 1: ASSESSMENT AND CYCLE DE-ESCALATION
Step 1: Establishing safety and building an alliance. Therapist creates safety by being open, accessible, responsive, and engaged with clients while tracking moments of connection and disconnection between partners in the session.
Step 2: Identifying the negative dance or cycle. Therapist invites clients to interact with each other to reveal the pattern of their dance, triggers, and disconnecting behaviors.
Step 3: Slow the dance down. Help partners access previously unacknowledged attachment-related emotions that underlie triggers and negative behaviors. Deepen those emotions by exploring:
Step 4: Reframe the problem in terms of the negative cycle and its underlying attachment emotions and needs. In EFT, the negative dance is the problem to solve-not the partners.
STAGE 2: CHANGING PERCEPTIONS AND RELATIONSHIP STANCE. CREATING NEW BONDING EVENTS
Step 5: Help partners identify disowned needs and parts of self and practice communicating this information to each other.
Step 6: Promote partners’ acceptance of new information about self and partner. Support responsiveness to new behaviors.
Step 7: Deepen the expression of attachment emotions and needs to create new interactional patterns.
STAGE 3: CONSOLIDATION AND INTEGRATION
Step 8: Celebrate new solutions to old relationship patterns of disconnection.
Step 9: Consolidate new patterns of closeness and safe attachment-the new dance of connection.
THE ROLE OF THE THERAPIST IN EFT
The EFT therapist uses attachment theory as a guide to the emotional terrain of close relationships.
EFT is a collaborative model. The therapist is neither guru nor authority, but models a healthy way of relating by being accessible, responsive, and engaged.
The EFT therapist works with emotion in a way that, first and foremost, maintains safety for the client. The therapist validates all emotion including fear and anger.
The EFT therapist explores and deepens emotion in a structured way using a variety of methods:
The EFT therapist contains emotion by validation, structuring, and organizing it in a way that maintains safety.
The therapist regulates the client even when deepening emotion by:
The therapist reframes current behaviors in the context of a cycle of attachment-related emotions, triggers, and reactions.
The therapist creates enactments in each session and then facilitates small shifts in the interaction.
OBJECTIVES:
Explain the purpose of each of the 3 EFT phases of treatment.
Dr. Sue Johnson is an author, clinical psychologist, researcher, professor, popular presenter and speaker and a leading innovator in the field of couple therapy and adult attachment. Sue is the primary developer of Emotionally Focused Couples and Family Therapy (EFT), which has demonstrated its effectiveness in over 30 years of peer-reviewed clinical research.
Sue Johnson is founding Director of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) and Distinguished Research Professor at Alliant University in San Diego, California, and Professor, Clinical Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia, Canada, as well as Professor Emeritus, Clinical Psychology, at the University of Ottawa, Canada.
Dr. Johnson is the author of numerous books and articles including Attachment Theory in Practice: EFT with Individuals, Couples and Families (2019) The Practice of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: Creating Connection (3rd edition, 2019), and Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy with Trauma Survivors (2002).
Sue trains behavioral health providers in EFT worldwide and consults to over 75 international institutes and affiliated centers who practice EFT. She also consults to Veterans Affairs and the U.S. and Canadian militaries.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Sue Johnson has employment relationships with University of British Columbia, Campbell & Fairweather Psychology Group, Alliant International, University Ottawa, Couple and Family Institute, and the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy. She receives royalties as a published author. Dr. Johnson receives a speaking honorarium, recording royalties, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Sue Johnson serves on the editorial board for the American Journal of Family Therapy (AJFT) and the journal Couple and Family Psychology: Research & Practice.
Richard Simon, PhD, was a clinical psychologist and the late editor of Psychotherapy Networker, the most topical, timely, and widely read publication in the psychotherapy field. During his career, he received every major magazine industry honor, including the National Magazine Award.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Rich Simon is the President of Psychotherapy Networker, Inc. and the editor of Psychotherapy Networker magazine. He is a published author and receives royalties. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Rich Simon has no relevant non-financial relationships.