Emotionally focused couple therapy

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT), first formulated in the early 1980s, is now accepted as a validated intervention for relationship distress and as appropriate for diverse kinds of distressed couples, including those dealing with traumatic stress, depression, illness, and problems with forgiveness and the renewal of trust. This short-term therapy (8 to 20 sessions) aims to help couples see and reshape the negative cycles of interaction, such as the demand-withdraw pattern, in which one partner's requests for changes are met by withdrawal rather than open consideration, that undermine their emotional bond and to clarify emotional signals so that needs and fears can be addressed. This leads to new positive cycles where each partner can reach for, connect with, and comfort the other. The relationship then becomes a safe haven and secure base, a source of strength and resilience for both partners. The EFT therapist will help partners see the cycle that creates their distress and gradually express and respond to each other's emotions in new ways.

EFT is used with couples from many different cultures and educational levels. Research finds that more than 85 percent of couples that receive EFT are able to significantly improve their relationships. Results appear to be stable over time with little evidence of relapse after treatment. A deeper engagement with key emotions and the open, coherent expression of these emotions and associated needs to the other partner predict positive outcomes.

Research on the nature of relationship distress supports the focus of EFT interventions, namely specific negative emotions, anger, fear, sadness, and shame, and negative self-perpetuating patterns of interaction such as escalating anger in conflict discussions. For example, John Gottman has found that fear and anger on partner's faces and patterns where one partner criticizes while the other distances predict divorce. On a positive note, EFT attempts to help partners order and clarify their emotional signals and tune into each other's deeper emotions and needs. Ted Huston and colleagues have demonstrated that this emotional responsiveness predicts the quality of newlywed relationships 5 years into their marriage. This entry describes Attachment Theory and EFT in action.