Emotionally Focused Therapy

Question 1

Emotionally Focused Therapy is an integration of what therapies?

Answer 1

experiential/gestalt approach with an interactional family systems approach. Constructionist approach and systemic approach

Question 2

First three principles of EFT

Answer 2

1) Collaborative alliance offers a secure base to explore relationship
2) Emotion is primary in organizing attachment behaviours
3) Effective dependancy that empowers and supports individual efficact and autonomy in each partner

Question 3

Last three principles of EFT

Answer 3

4) Problems are maintained by the way interaction paterns are organised
5) Change occurs through new emeotional experience in the context of attahment salient interaction
6) The client is the relationship between partners

Question 4

Three tasks of EFT are too…

Answer 4

1) Create a safe, collaborative alliance
2) To access, reformulate, and expand the emotional responses that guide the couples interactions. (focus on the vulnerable emotions // fear/anxiety, shame, sadness that play a central role in the couples cycle of negative interactions).
3) Restructure those interactions in the direction of the accessibility and responsiveness that build secure lasting bonds (problems are reframed in terms of cycles and attachment needs and fears.)

Question 5

What does Tango mean? and how many steps

Answer 5

In a typical session the therapist cycles through five moves that build in intensity as therapy evolves called the “tango” each of the five moves are a different step

Question 6

First Step

Answer 6

First step: Reflect present process

Question 6

Second step

Answer 6

Second step: Deepening (deepening one partners level of engagement and explore the emotion that comes up)

Question 7

Third step

Answer 7

Third step: Enactments (experience is communicated to the partner “can you tell her I feel this when you do…”)

Question 7

Fourth Step

Answer 7

Fourth step: Process the enactment (share what its like to hear the new feelings)

Question 8

Fifth Step

Answer 8

Fifth step: Intergrate and validate ( look at what you both just did, you were vulnerable, took risks and reached out to each other)

Question 8

Two main theraputic change events that shift the partners dance in a fundamental way.

Answer 8

1) Withdrawer – rengagement: the withdrawn partner begins to engage more in the relationship and express usually withheld feelings
2) Pursuer softening – a vulnerable request is made by a susually hostile partner for reassurance or comfort