EFIT & EFCT

In the year 2025, I am grateful to complete both EFIT and EFCT.

What are EFT and EFCT?

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), utilized both as individual and couple therapy, has gained significant recognition due to its efficacy in enhancing emotional bonds and reducing distress in relationships. The principles of EFT are based on attachment theory, which emphasizes the necessity of secure emotional connections in interpersonal relationships (Navabinejad & Saadati, 2023; Conroy et al., 2022). This therapeutic approach has been empirically validated, demonstrating considerable benefits for individuals and couples experiencing various levels of relational distress (Wiebe & Johnson, 2016; Spengler et al., 2024).

One of the pivotal benefits of emotionally focused individual therapy is its emphasis on the exploration and regulation of emotions. Individuals participating in this form of therapy often develop emotional awareness, improving their ability to identify, express, and manage emotions effectively. This emotional intelligence is crucial for reducing anxiety, enhancing psychological resilience, and fostering healthy interpersonal relationships (Gili & Ebrahimiasl, 2022; Wiebe et al., 2016). Research indicates that clients in emotionally focused individual therapy report significant improvements in mood and a reduction in depressive symptoms over time (Mousavi et al., 2024)Momeni et al., 2022). Thus, individuals facing mental health challenges like anxiety or depression may find substantial relief through the emotional processing emphasized in EFT (Mousavi et al., 2024).

Similarly, emotionally focused couple therapy (EFCT) operates on parallel principles, aiming to enhance relational harmony by nurturing emotional responsiveness between partners. Within couple therapy, EFT has shown remarkable effectiveness in alleviating relationship distress, with studies indicating a success rate of around 70% in improving relational satisfaction (Wiebe & Johnson, 2016; Jones, 2023). Couples in therapy benefit from structured interventions designed to de-escalate conflict, facilitate emotional engagement, and repair attachment insecurities that often contribute to relational discord. The primary goal of EFCT is to foster secure emotional bonds that enable healthy communication and emotional expression (Dowling et al., 2023; Wen et al., 2020).

The process of emotional engagement in EFCT is essential to its success. During therapy, couples are guided to articulate their emotional experiences, which often leads them to confront vulnerabilities that have previously hindered their connection (Dowling et al., 2023; (Moser et al., 2015; . By employing specific interventions such as "blamer softening" and emotional processing techniques, therapists create an environment where each partner feels heard and validated—fundamental components for restoring intimacy and connection (Moser et al., 2015; Stavrianopoulos, 2019). EFT's structure not only helps decrease conflict but also promotes enduring relational changes, reinforcing the notion that emotional connection is foundational to relationship satisfaction (Wittenborn et al., 2018).

Furthermore, the adaptability of EFT allows it to address various specific contexts, enhancing its applicability across diverse relationship challenges. For instance, studies have shown the effectiveness of EFT in high-stress situations, such as serious illnesses like cancer, where couples struggle with caregiving and relational dynamics (Johnson & Ross, 2021). In these scenarios, EFT's focus on emotional safety and expression becomes increasingly critical, enabling couples to navigate the complexities of illness together and strengthen their bond amid external stresses (Johnson & Ross, 2021).

Another significant advantage of both individual and couple EFT is its flexibility in various formats, including group therapy and remote settings, which became particularly vital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research indicates that EFT can be effectively administered online, ensuring access to therapy for couples facing relational strife despite physical distancing (Petzke et al., 2022)Allan et al., 2021). This versatility broadens the reach of EFT and reflects its core principle of prioritizing emotional accessibility and connection, regardless of the format (Petzke et al., 2022).

Moreover, EFT is beneficial in fostering a deeper understanding of attachment styles among individuals and couples. By recognizing and addressing different attachment patterns—such as secure, anxious, or avoidant—clients can work towards healthier relationship dynamics. This insight is invaluable as it connects personal emotional responses to relational behaviors, equipping clients with the tools to navigate their own emotions and those of their partners more effectively (Tseng et al., 2024; Karris & Caldwell, 2015).

Research has highlighted the efficacy of EFT, not only in enhancing emotional communication but also in mitigating symptoms linked to psychological issues like PTSD and depression. This therapeutic paradigm demonstrates that addressing unresolved emotional experiences can yield significant psychological relief, underlining the direct relationship between emotional health and relational satisfaction (Brigance et al., 2020; Ponder et al., 2022). Both individuals and couples who engage with this model report heightened emotional regulation, reduced conflict, and improved overall relational satisfaction (VanBoxel et al., 2024; Sandberg et al., 2024).

In conclusion, emotionally focused individual therapy and couple therapy emerge as highly effective modalities that tackle the intricate web of emotions informing human relationships. By emphasizing emotional engagement and attachment dynamics, these approaches not only alleviate distress but also foster lasting relational bonds. The substantial empirical support for EFT underscores its role as a fundamental, evidence-based intervention for therapists working with individuals and couples navigating the complexities of emotional and relational challenges.

Allan, R., Wiebe, S., Johnson, S., Piaseckyj, O., & Campbell, T. (2021). Practicing emotionally focused therapy online: calling all relationships. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 47(2), 424-439. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12507

Brigance, C., Brown, E., & Cottone, R. (2020). Therapeutic intervention for couples experiencing infertility: an emotionally focused couples therapy approach. The Family Journal, 29(1), 72-79. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480720973420

Conroy, J., Perryman, K., Robinson, S., Rana, R., Blisard, P., & Gray, M. (2022). The coregulatory effects of emotionally focused therapy. Journal of Counseling & Development, 101(1), 46-55. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12453

Dowling, L., Jackson, J., & Landers, A. (2023). Gender role reversal: civilian husbands of u.s. military servicewomen as tied‐migrant workers. Family Relations, 73(1), 441-465. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12936

Gili, S. and Ebrahimiasl, S. (2022). Comparison of the effects of emotionally focused therapy and transcranial direct current stimulation on anxiety and quality of life of patients with coronary artery disease during covid-19 pandemic.. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2095720/v1

Johnson, E. and Ross, D. (2021). The cost of cancer: the association of financial and cancer-related stress on maladaptive coping styles in families with a cancer diagnosis. Contemporary Family Therapy, 45(3), 323-332. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-021-09595-5

Jones, A. (2023). Emotionally focused therapy with african american couples: love heals,paul t.guillory,new york; london:routledge.2021. us$42.95 (paperback). isbn: 978‐0‐367‐37573‐7. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 49(4), 991-992. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12635

Karris, M. and Caldwell, B. (2015). Integrating emotionally focused therapy, self-compassion, and compassion-focused therapy to assist shame-prone couples who have experienced trauma. The Family Journal, 23(4), 346-357. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480715601676

Momeni, A., Ramezani, K., & Maredpour, A. (2022). Effects of emotionally focused couple therapy on reducing depression and marital conflicts in employed couples. Preventive Care in Nursing and Midwifery Journal, 12(3), 59-66. https://doi.org/10.52547/pcnm.12.3.7

Moser, M., Johnson, S., Dalgleish, T., Lafontaine, M., Wiebe, S., & Tasca, G. (2015). Changes in relationship‐specific attachment in emotionally focused couple therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 42(2), 231-245. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12139

Mousavi, F., Shoushtari, M., & Safarzadeh, S. (2024). Effects of emotionally focused therapy on emotional autonomy and emotion regulation of students with depression symptoms. Journal of Clinical Research in Paramedical Sciences, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.5812/jcrps-143109

Navabinejad, S. and Saadati, N. (2023). Enhancing family connectedness and resilience through emotionally focused therapy: a randomized controlled trial. JPRFC, 13-21. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jprfc.1.3.3

Petzke, T., Rodríguez‐Girondo, M., & Meer, L. (2022). The hold me tight program for couples facing huntington’s disease. Journal of Huntington S Disease, 11(2), 203-215. https://doi.org/10.3233/jhd-210516

Ponder, W., Whitworth, J., Ross, K., & Sherrill, T. (2022). Attachment-based relationship satisfaction in deployed and non-deployed military veterans with prevalent ptsd, anxiety, and depression. Journal of Veterans Studies, 8(3), 47-58. https://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v8i3.330

Sandberg, J., Calatrava, M., Andrade, D., Lybbert, R., Mazo, S., & Rodríguez‐González, M. (2024). Toward a culturally sensitive application of emotionally focused couples therapy: a qualitative study of therapists' experience using eft in spanish‐speaking countries/cultures. Family Process, 63(2), 648-666. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12982

Spengler, P., Lee, N., Wiebe, S., & Wittenborn, A. (2024). A comprehensive meta-analysis on the efficacy of emotionally focused couple therapy.. Couple and Family Psychology Research and Practice, 13(2), 81-99. https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000233 Stavrianopoulos, K. (2019). Emotionally focused family therapy: rebuilding family bonds.. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84320

Tseng, C., Morgan, P., & Wittenborn, A. (2024). Predicting change in relationship distress and depressive symptoms among couples in taiwan: the role of attachment, emotional expressivity, and gender roles in emotionally focused therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 51(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12743

VanBoxel, J., Miller, D., Morgan, P., Iqbal, N., Edwards, C., & Wittenborn, A. (2024). Exploring associations among baseline emotion regulation and change in relationship satisfaction among couples in a randomized controlled trial of emotionally focused therapy compared to usual care. Family Process, 63(3), 1637-1654. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12972

Wen, I., Price, L., Spray, A., & Marmar, C. (2020). Mending broken bonds in military couples using emotionally focused therapy for couples: tips and discoveries. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(5), 865-870. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22921

Wiebe, S. and Johnson, S. (2016). A review of the research in emotionally focused therapy for couples. Family Process, 55(3), 390-407. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12229 Wiebe, S., Johnson, S., Moser, M., Dalgleish, T., & Tasca, G. (2016). Predicting follow‐up outcomes in emotionally focused couple therapy: the role of change in trust, relationship‐specific attachment, and emotional engagement. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 43(2), 213-226. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12199

Wittenborn, A., Liu, T., Ridenour, T., Lachmar, E., Mitchell, E., & Seedall, R. (2018). Randomized controlled trial of emotionally focused couple therapy compared to treatment as usual for depression: outcomes and mechanisms of change. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 45(3), 395-409. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12350