Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples
HardcoverPaperback
This influential volume provides a comprehensive introduction to emotionally focused therapy (EFT): its theoretical foundations, techniques, and clinical practice. EFT is a structured approach that integrates intrapsychic and interpersonal perspectives to help couples create new, more satisfying interactional patterns. The authors illuminate the power of emotional experience in relationships and in the process of therapeutic change. The book is richly illustrated with case examples and session transcripts.
“Greenberg and Johnson's description of the implementation of emotionally focused therapy is lively and abounds with clinical insights. Clinical material and transcripts are used liberally to illustrate points, and the balance achieved between exposition and illustration results in a highly readable text. The course of emotionally focused therapy is brought to life in a detailed case example that provides an almost palpable sense of the therapy.”
—Contemporary Psychology
“One of the strengths of this work is the clinical examples. The interactions of the couples, heard both in short and long excerpts throughout the text, underscore therapist interventions as well as bring the nine-step process to life. The authors clearly demonstrate how negative interactions and conflict are decreased and trust and intimacy are increased when EFT is integrated into couple therapy....Highly recommended for beginning professionals as well as experienced professionals who wish to review the process or add a new dimension to their practice.”
—Journal of Family Psychotherapy
Table of Contents
I. Theory and Research
1. Emotion in Interaction
2. An Affective Systemic Approach
II. Practice
3. General Considerations
4. The Initial Interview
5. The Process of Therapy
6. Therapist Interventions
7. Clinical Issues
III. Effecting Change
8. The Process of Change
9. Epilogue: Integration
About the Authors
Leslie S. Greenberg, PhD, is Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus of Psychology and founder and former director of the Emotion-Focused Therapy Clinic at York University in Toronto, Canada.
Susan M. Johnson, EdD, is the leading developer of emotionally focused therapy (EFT). She is Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology at the University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Distinguished Research Professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Alliant International University in San Diego; and Director of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy. Dr. Johnson has been appointed to the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honors. She is a recipient of the Family Psychologist of the Year Award from Division 43 of the American Psychological Association and the Outstanding Contribution to Marriage and Family Therapy Award from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, among other awards. Dr. Johnson is the author of acclaimed books for professionals, including
Attachment Theory in Practice and
Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy with Trauma Survivors, as well as bestselling books for general readers, including
Hold Me Tight and
Love Sense.
Audience
Therapists and counselors who treat couples, including clinical psychologists, social workers, family therapists, psychiatrists, and pastoral counselors; clinical graduate students.
Course Use
Will serve as a text in graduate-level courses such as Marriage and Family Therapy, Couples Counseling, Social Work Practice with Families, Conjoint Therapy, Relationship Distress, and Treating Couples.