Emotionally Focused Therapy
Origins and Development
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Video: What Is Emotionally Focused Therapy?
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EFT is usually a short term, structured approach to couples therapy. It is also a remarkably effective form of counselling for individuals. EFT was formulated in the early 80’s by Dr’s Sue Johnson and Les Greenberg.
Since then, Sue Johnson has further developed the model, adding attachment theory to further understand what is happening in couple relationships and to guide therapists in helping them. EFT is also used with families and individuals. The international website for Emotionally Focused Therapy is www.iceeft.com.
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About Feelings and Needs
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EFT is based on the observation that our most important relationships can trigger strong feelings. These relationships are a source of immense stress and pain, as well as great comfort and happiness.
EFT therapists help couples learn to express and manage these feelings in a safe and positive way. |
EFT therapists will help you really understand your needs in your relationship, help you respond to your partner's needs, and your partner respond to yours.
EFT will help you learn about the moments when you hurt each other in your relationship dance, and how you can keep your emotional balance in these moments.
Then EFT will show you how to come close and express your softer feelings and needs to your partner in a way that helps your partner respond to you. This will help you to build a secure and lasting bond within your relationship, creating closeness, trust and connection.
EFT will help you learn about the moments when you hurt each other in your relationship dance, and how you can keep your emotional balance in these moments.
Then EFT will show you how to come close and express your softer feelings and needs to your partner in a way that helps your partner respond to you. This will help you to build a secure and lasting bond within your relationship, creating closeness, trust and connection.
Research Based
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A substantial body of research outlining the effectiveness of EFT now exists.
Research studies find that 70-75% of couples move from distress to recovery and approximately 90% show significant improvements. The major contra-indication for suitability for using EFT is on-going violence in the relationship. |
EFT is being used with many different kinds of couples in private practice, university training centres and hospital clinics and with many different cultural groups throughout the world.
Distressed couples who benefit from EFT include partners suffering from disorders such as depression, post traumatic stress and chronic illness.
Distressed couples who benefit from EFT include partners suffering from disorders such as depression, post traumatic stress and chronic illness.
Our Philosophy
We believe that relationships are at the core of human experience and well being.
We are dedicated to the development of a community of EFT trained practitioners in New Zealand so that this quality effective couple, individual and family therapy is available to everyone.
We aim to:
We are dedicated to the development of a community of EFT trained practitioners in New Zealand so that this quality effective couple, individual and family therapy is available to everyone.
We aim to:
- Provide quality and effective EFT therapy to all clients
- Fill New Zealand’s needs for competent EFT therapists
- Promote the learning and practice of EFT
- Provide training and networking for EFT therapists
- Encourage and support therapists to gain certification in EFT
- Model the key EFT principles in all our professional and personal relationships
The Science of Love
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EFT is based on a revolutionary new science of romantic relationships. As a therapy model, EFT is effective in both individual and couple counselling contexts.
EFT for couples is the fastest growing evidence-based approach to couple therapy in the world. It is based on the science of emotions, attachment theory, humanistic psychology and family systems theory. |
Developed by Dr Sue Johnson in the 80’s and continually researched and enhanced, EFT provides a road map for helping couples grow closer together, learn deep understanding of each other and resolve relationship problems.
EFT helps couples move from conflict and hurt in their relationship to a safer, more connected and fulfilling relationship.
EFT helps couples move from conflict and hurt in their relationship to a safer, more connected and fulfilling relationship.
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Attachment Theory and the Success Rate of EFT
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Attachment Theory can be described as a deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time and space. It provides the framework for understanding love relationships.
Sue Johnson says the people we love are the ‘hidden regulators” of our bodily processes and our emotional lives. |
Research has shown that:
- Ninety percent (90%) of couples who complete EFT improve their relationships.
- The comparable rate of marital relationship improvement for the next leading model of couple therapy is only 35%. Studies indicate the results for EFT are generally robust and long-lasting. Also, EFT works with partners who describe themselves as ‘unemotional’.
- Another significant finding is that couples who work through the EFT process resolve their issues without returning to their old unhealthy communication patterns in the future.
