Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) is an attachment oriented approach developed by Sue Johnson and Les Greenberg. It is one of the few empirically-validated forms of couple's therapy with an outstanding 70-73% success rate for couples who complete the process. The research demonstrates that couples significantly improve their relationships over the course of treatment and continue to get better still at a two year follow-up.
The goals of EFT are:
- The ability for each partner to be able to turn to the other in vulnerability, and allow his/her partner to respond in support.
- To expand and reorganize key emotional responses.
- To create a shift in the partners' interactional patterns.
- To foster the creation of a secure bond between partners.
Most couples report lasting changes in their relationship that include:
- A deeper emotional connection.
- Increased understanding and compassion for each other.
- Identification of unmet needs and increased ability to respond to those needs.
- Decreased anger and frustration
- Rekindled romance and passion.
- Renewed trust and commitment.
- High levels of relationship satisfaction.
Praise for Emotionally Focused Therapy
‘EFT is one of the few approaches to marital therapy that has been proven to be effective’ - Jay Lebow, Ph.D, President Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association