Stepping Into Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy

Synopsis

This volume makes Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) widely accessible to therapists of different orientations and to therapists in training. It provides clinicians with practical tools, an experiential tour through case examples, and simple guidance to step into EFT. An overview of the change events includes both client processes and therapist interventions moment-to-moment. 'In Stepping into Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: Key Ingredients of Change, each step and stage of EFT is laid out in a practical and theoretically simple manner that extends beyond what therapists need to do, to helping therapists grasp what experiential therapy is, providing moment-by-moment examples of how to engage clients emotionally, and how to foster emotional engagement between partners.'- From the Foreword by S. Johnson and A. Lee.

About the Publisher

Routledge

Routledge is the world's leading academic publisher in the Humanities and Social Sciences. We publish thousands of books and journals each year, serving scholars, instructors, and professional communities worldwide. Our current publishing programme encompasses groundbreaking textbooks and premier, peer-reviewed research in the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Built Environment. We have partnered with many of the most influential societies and academic bodies to publish their journals and book series. Readers can access tens of thousands of print and e-books from our extensive catalogue of titles. Routledge is a member of Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business.

Summary

Chapter 1: Embarking on the Journey of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy

* Key concepts: Introduction to EFT, its goals, and therapeutic process.
* Real example: Sarah and John, a couple struggling with communication and intimacy, seek therapy to improve their relationship.

Chapter 2: Curiosity: A Bridge to Connection

* Key concepts: Importance of curiosity, active listening, and reflecting back emotions.
* Real example: The therapist helps Sarah understand John's perspective by asking open-ended questions and reflecting back his feelings of loneliness.

Chapter 3: Emotion Regulation: Unlocking the Power of Emotions

* Key concepts: The role of emotions in relationships, emotional regulation strategies, and identifying core emotions.
* Real example: John learns to express his vulnerability and connect with Sarah's need for emotional support.

Chapter 4: Creating a Secure Base: Enhancing Safety and Trust

* Key concepts: Building a secure base through emotional validation, empathy, and attunement.
* Real example: Sarah and John practice active empathy, acknowledging each other's feelings and striving to understand each other's perspectives.

Chapter 5: Attachment: The Dance of Connection and Disconnection

* Key concepts: Attachment styles, attachment patterns, and how they impact relationships.
* Real example: The therapist explores Sarah's anxious attachment and John's avoidant attachment, helping them navigate their attachment needs.

Chapter 6: Transforming Perceptions: The Power of Reframing

* Key concepts: Reframing negative perceptions, fostering positive cycles, and changing relationship narratives.
* Real example: Sarah reframes John's withdrawal as a coping mechanism for his fear of closeness, shifting their perception of the situation.

Chapter 7: Change Processes: Unleashing the Potential for Growth

* Key concepts: The stages of change in EFT, from engagement to consolidation.
* Real example: Sarah and John experience moments of breakthrough and growth, moving through the stages of change with the therapist's guidance.

Chapter 8: Homework: Extending the Therapeutic Journey

* Key concepts: The importance of homework assignments, practice exercises, and applying skills outside of therapy.
* Real example: The couple agrees to practice empathetic listening at home, strengthening their skills and fostering ongoing improvement.

Chapter 9: Termination: Embracing the Legacy of Growth

* Key concepts: Ending therapy, maintaining progress, and reflecting on the therapeutic journey.
* Real example: Sarah and John express gratitude for the support and growth they experienced in therapy, vowing to continue nurturing their relationship.