Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Introduction

• Presenter: Stephanie Yates, licensed marriage and family therapist
• Topic: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Developed by: Sue Johnson and Leslie Greenberg in the late 1980s
• Originally for couples, but applicable to families and individuals

Key Concepts

• Attachment: Core concept in EFT, differentiates it from other therapy models
• Focus on emotions: Recognizing and addressing emotions as a way to solve relational problems
• Empirically supported: Research-backed, validating its effectiveness in therapy

Therapeutic Focus

• Emotional State: Exacerbating emotional states to restructure relationships
• Attachment Needs: Recognizing and addressing deficiencies in emotional intimacy

Therapy Approach

• Systemic and Humanistic: Incorporates systemic approaches and humanistic elements like those of Carl Rogers
• Client as the Relationship: The couple is the client, not individual partners

Therapeutist's Role

• Secure Base: Therapist acts as a secure base for the couple
• Choreographer: Reestablishing and reconfiguring couples’ interactions

Common Cycles in Relationships

• Attachment Insecurity: Insecurity leading to negative cycles such as clinginess, anger, withdrawal
• Cycle Disruption: Goal is to disrupt negative cycles to enhance trust and intimacy

Goals of EFT

• Rebuild Relationship: Foster positive emotional experiences and secure bonds
• Balance: Not eliminating all negative interactions, but increasing positive ones

Therapy Process

1. Assessment and Cycle De-escalation

   • Create Bond: Understanding negative interaction cycles
   • Reframe Problem: View problem as interactional rather than individual

2. Changing Interactional Patterns

   • Identify Attachment Needs: Recognizing disowned attachment needs
   • Facilitate Communication: Promoting open discussions of needs and wants

3. Consolidation and Integration

   • Finding Solutions: Discuss practical ways to address newly expressed needs
   • Building New Cycles: Encouraging new, positive interactions

Therapist Techniques

• Emotion Reflection: Reflecting emotions to build alliance and clarify underlying issues
• Validation: Validating emotional experiences of each partner
• Facilitate Emotional Exploration: Supporting partners in identifying and expressing emotions
• Create New Meanings: Helping redefine meanings of actions within the relationship
• Enactment: Using role-play to highlight and alter negative interactions

Conclusion

• Further Resources: Encouragement to use AATBS materials for studying
• Engagement: Request for likes, subscriptions, and sharing of the content
• Additional Content: Invitation for further questions and video suggestions

Final Note

• Presenter's Background: Stephanie, aka Ivory Steph Anya, shares personal insights and offers resources for students and professionals.