Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Introduction

• Hosted by Stephanie Yates, a licensed marriage and family therapist.
• Focus on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), suited for couples, families, and individuals.

Background

• Developed by Sue Johnson and Leslie Greenberg in the late 80s.
• Originally designed for couples but applicable to families and individuals.
• A systemic and humanistic model.

Key Concepts

• Attachment: Central to EFT, differentiating it from other therapy models.
• Emotionally Focused: Centers on recognizing and addressing emotions to solve problems.
• Empirical Support: Validated by research.

Goals of EFT

• Improve Emotional Intimacy: By addressing emotional deficiencies and attachment needs/styles.
• De-escalate Negative Interactions: Like Gottman’s theory, aim to increase positive interactions.
• Rebuild Relationship: Focus on creating secure bonds through increased intimacy and trust.

Therapy Process

Therapist's Role

• Serve as a secure base and safe haven for the couple.
• Facilitate productive and safe conversations.
• Help couples understand the cycle of attachment and emotion-driven behaviors.

Common Cycle in Distressed Relationships

• Attachment insecurity leads to negative emotions (e.g., anxiety, anger).
• Negative emotions manifest in behaviors like clinginess, withdrawal, or anger.
• Negative cycle promotes distrust and diminishes intimacy.

Stages of Therapy

Stage 1: Assessment and Cycle De-escalation

• Create bond with couple.
• Identify negative interaction patterns and attachment issues.
• Reframe the problem as interactional, not individual.

Stage 2: Changing Interactional Patterns

• Help individuals recognize disowned attachment needs and self-denials.
• Promote acceptance of partner's experiences.
• Facilitate better communication about needs and encourage bonding activities.

Stage 3: Consolidation and Integration

• Develop solutions to newly communicated problems.
• Build on new positive interaction patterns.

Interventions and Techniques

• Reflection of Emotions: Build alliance and highlight underlying emotions.
• Validation: Acknowledge partners' emotional experiences.
• Support Exploration: Encourage emotional exploration and expression.
• Create New Meanings: Help reframe perceptions of partners' behaviors.
• Enactment: Use role-playing to reveal emotional undercurrents and improve interaction dynamics.

Conclusion

• Emphasizes the creation of more positive interactions and emotional experiences.
• EFT is not about historical insight but about addressing current emotional experiences.

Resources

• AATBS books recommended for studying EFT and other therapy models.
• Link available in the description for additional study resources.

Additional Notes

• Encouragement to like, share, and subscribe to the host's channel.
• Open to questions and video requests related to therapy and EFT.

Contact: Stephanie (Steph Anya) Yates, for more insights on therapy models.