Johnson, EFT

Question 1

Emotionally-Focused Couple’s Therapy

Answer 1

Contemporary
Johnson & Grenberg
Evidence-based!
Experiential, attachment theory

Re-processing emotional responses that organize attachment behaviors.

10-12 sessions, 70-75% of couples no longer distressed

Question 2

EFT: Themes

Answer 2

Johnson Greenberg
Contemporary

Adults hide primary emotions, express secondary reactive emotions due to insecure attachment.

Secondary reactive emotions lead to negative interactional patterns and further emotional suppression.

-Access primary emotions, establish emotional bonds, disrupt negative interactional sequences

Success based on therapist ability to join w/couple, establish trust. Will work with one partner at a time in presence of other.

Question 3

Primary Emotions

Answer 3

EFT

Underlying emotions that drove relational behavior but are often suppressed.

Question 4

Secondary Emotions

Answer 4

EFT

Surface level emotions often disguise the primary. usually reactive.

Question 5

Attachment

Answer 5

EFT

Basic need for trust, security. Influenced in infancy.

Question 6

Softening

Answer 6

EFT

When partner softens defensiveness/aggressiveness - start to open up to emotional experiences of partner vs being focused on themselves.

Question 7

Interactional Patterns

Answer 7

EFT

Pursuer-distancer, attacker-blamer
dichotoous positions in relationship

Question 8

Primary Needs

Answer 8

EFT

needs related to attachment, experienced through primary emotions

Question 9

Bonding

Answer 9

EFT

Attachment Theory’s term for connection that is scure and satisfies need for attachment

Question 10

EFT: Assessment & Diagnosis

Answer 10

Operates off of 2 primary principles:

1) Looking within - how each person constructs their emotional experience of relatedness
2) Looking between - how partners engage ea. other, ID each role in maintenance of interactional patterns

Nonpathologizing. Diagnoses were systemic in nature - on the couple.

Question 11

EFT: WHO, HOW LONG, GOALS

Answer 11

Both partners.

12-20 sessions

• De-escalate problematic interactional cycle - create therapeutic alliance, find primary emotions
• Promote identification w/attachment needs, promote aceptance of other person’s experience
• Emotioanl engagement
• New solutions to old problems

Question 12

EFT: Interventions

Answer 12

Empathic Reflection

1) Monitor, tend to positive alliance
2) expand primary emotional experiences
3) clarify present patterns or shape new ones

–validating, focusing the session on primary emotion, slow down, organize by creating coherence

Question 13

EFT: Phases

Answer 13

Early: Cycle De-Escalation, Stabilization
1) Therapeutic alliance, clarify core issue: attachment
2) ID negative interactional sequence
3) Access primary emotions
4_) Reframe problem as attachment-based

Middle: Restructuring Interactional Positions/Patterns

5) Promote ttachment needs
6) Promote acceptance/response to partner’s needs
7) Emotional engagement

Late: Consolidation/Integration
8) Emergence of new solutions
9_ Consolidate new positions

Termination - once late phase is maintained