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What is Emotionally Focused Therapy and Why Is It So Successful?
In the late 1980’s, Susan Johnson and Les Greenberg co-created Emotionally Focused Therapy (“EFT”). EFT is based on adult attachment theory stating that an intimate relationship is an attachment bond and when the bond is a secure safe haven, a relationship is healthy and solid. This is what Scripture calls “oneness” in marriage. But when arguing and unresolved hurts keep a couple disconnected then their relationship becomes distressed. The focus of EFT is to help couples make sense of the way they argue, unravel and foster a new way of relating, heal hurts and foster a safe haven (aka oneness). The goal of this powerful model is to get to the heart of a couple’s distress & help them turn their relationship around so they can emotionally connect. Follow up research shows that 4 years after counseling with EFT couples are closer and stronger than ever.
In the late 1980’s, Susan Johnson and Les Greenberg co-created Emotionally Focused Therapy (“EFT”). EFT is based on adult attachment theory stating that an intimate relationship is an attachment bond and when the bond is a secure safe haven, a relationship is healthy and solid. This is what Scripture calls “oneness” in marriage. But when arguing and unresolved hurts keep a couple disconnected then their relationship becomes distressed. The focus of EFT is to help couples make sense of the way they argue, unravel and foster a new way of relating, heal hurts and foster a safe haven (aka oneness). The goal of this powerful model is to get to the heart of a couple’s distress & help them turn their relationship around so they can emotionally connect. Follow up research shows that 4 years after counseling with EFT couples are closer and stronger than ever.
What four leading experts say about EFT:
“EFT is a proven road map to the process of change in couple therapy.”
John M. Gottman, Ph.D., world-renowned marriage expert, cofounder of the Seattle Marital and Family Institute, Professor of Psychology, University of Washington, and bestselling author of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. (www.gottman.com)
“EFT is one of the best documented, most substantive and well researched approaches to couple therapy.”
Alan S. Gurman, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Family Therapy Training, University of Wisconsin Medical School, and a leading authority on the clinical practice of couple therapy.
EFT is “one of the few approaches to marital therapy that has been proven to be effective.”
Jay Lebow, Ph.D., LMFT, ABPP, Past President, Division of Family Psychology, American Psychological Association (www.apa.org); Research Consultant, The Family Institute, Northwestern University (www.family-institute.org).
“Rigorous studies during the past fifteen years have shown that 70 to 75 percent of couples who go through EFT recover from distress and are happy in their relationships. The results appear lasting, even with couples at high risk for divorce.” Dr. Sue Johnson, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Ottawa; Director of Ottawa Couple and Family Institute and International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (www.eft.ca); Research Professor, Alliant University (www.alliant.edu).
“EFT is a proven road map to the process of change in couple therapy.”
John M. Gottman, Ph.D., world-renowned marriage expert, cofounder of the Seattle Marital and Family Institute, Professor of Psychology, University of Washington, and bestselling author of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. (www.gottman.com)
“EFT is one of the best documented, most substantive and well researched approaches to couple therapy.”
Alan S. Gurman, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Family Therapy Training, University of Wisconsin Medical School, and a leading authority on the clinical practice of couple therapy.
EFT is “one of the few approaches to marital therapy that has been proven to be effective.”
Jay Lebow, Ph.D., LMFT, ABPP, Past President, Division of Family Psychology, American Psychological Association (www.apa.org); Research Consultant, The Family Institute, Northwestern University (www.family-institute.org).
“Rigorous studies during the past fifteen years have shown that 70 to 75 percent of couples who go through EFT recover from distress and are happy in their relationships. The results appear lasting, even with couples at high risk for divorce.” Dr. Sue Johnson, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Ottawa; Director of Ottawa Couple and Family Institute and International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (www.eft.ca); Research Professor, Alliant University (www.alliant.edu).