Transcript of Introduction to Emotionally Focused Therapy Fellowship of Christian Counselors January 9, 2014...
- Slide 1
- Introduction to Emotionally Focused Therapy Fellowship of
Christian Counselors January 9, 2014 Suzanna Hicks, MA, LMHC
- Slide 2
- EFT Core Belief : Seeking and maintaining contact with
significant others is essential for human beings across the life
span
- Slide 3
- In EFT the underlying question couples ask is Will you be there
for me? Can I trust you in times of crisis? Are you my safe haven?
The role of the therapist is to help the couple create and maintain
a safe haven relationship.
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- The word emotion comes from the Latin word to move. Authentic
passion moves people. (Frank Viola, 9/19/14). To be emotionally
moved means to be touched, stirred up, compelled to respond to a
powerful cue that evokes action in us. Emotion is an essential
transforming agent that moves couples toward healing according to
Dr. Susan Johnson, the main proponent of EFT couples and family
therapy.
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- EFT is Experiential We are formed and transformed by our
relationships with others. Experiential approaches encourage an
examination of how inner and outer realities define each other The
EFT therapist helps the couple tune into what is going on inside
emotionally as it relates to how they are relating to one another.
Susan Johnson calls this, the couples relational dance.
- Slide 6
- EFT is Experiential The EFT therapist focuses on what is moment
to moment happening in the counseling session. Watching her clients
non-verbal language the counselor brings these observations into
the room. The counselor observes how the couple interactshow they
inadvertently trigger responses in each other.
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- The Humanistic Perspective Focuses on a strong therapeutic
alliance. People are inherently good. EFT agrees that a
non-pathologizing and optimistic stance is essential. The Christian
worldview: No one is righteousnot even one. No one is truly wise;
no one is seeking God. All have turned away Romans 3:10-12
- Slide 8
- The Humanistic Perspective Human beings grow and make creative,
healthy choices if given the opportunity. Focuses on the person,
not the problemthe process of growth, not the symptom or the
offering of solutions by the therapist. Through soliciting emotion,
the therapist helps them identify their conflict cycle and the
meaning behind the emotion.
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- The Systemic Approach Addresses people as part of a systemas
people in relationship to others. EFT pays attention to the
organization and patterns of interaction with intimate others.
While systemic therapy focuses on specific elements such as power
hierarchy and boundaries, EFT looks more at nurturance and
connection.
- Slide 10
- The Systemic Approach EFT borrows from Salvador Minuchins
Structural Family Therapy that focused on establishing new patterns
of interaction. In Systems Theory, people are seen as stuck, not
innately dysfunctional. Systems have predictable, patterned
relationships. Distress increases when the patterns are rigid and
inflexible. Couples get stuck in negative interaction cycles or
dances.
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- Constructivist Perspective Clients encounter problems not
because life is inherently problematic or because they have a
mental disease but because of the way they frame their problems, or
how they make sense of events that occur in their lives. Makes
sense to me
- Slide 12
- Attachment Theory Focuses on the relationships and bonds
between people, particularly long-term relationships.
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- Research Within the past 20 years, EFT has become recognized by
the American Psychological Association as mainstream and
empirically valid. Attachment theory as it relates to adult
relationships has been the focus of research in the past two
decades. It links congruently to other bodies of research including
those of John Gottman and colleagues. There is a 70-73% recovery
rate in 10-12 EFT sessions. 90% of couples show a significant
improvement rate
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- Research Results are stable, even under high stress. Retests at
3 months, 6 months and 2 years show stable results and in some
cases improved results. Research has shown a strong link between
depression in women and their marital satisfaction. EFT therapy
significantly reduces depression in women.
- Slide 15
- Theoretical Assumptions The need to attach to a significant
other is hard wired in humans. Genesis 1 tells us we are made in
Gods image. We serve a relational God. You did not choose me but I
chose you. John 15:14-16 I Corinthians 12, reminds us of that God
designed us to be connected to a group-- the Body of Christ.
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- Farewell to a Friend
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- More Theoretical Assumptions Oxytocin and vasopressin,
considered the two cuddle hormones, play a role in creating
attachment behaviors. Some examples of attachment behaviors might
include seeing a loved one (smile), being touched by someone who
loves youhugs or holding hands. Sex with a loved one or nursing a
baby can be strong attachment behaviors. Secure dependence fosters
autonomy and self- confidence. The more secure we are the more we
can be ourselves.
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- Theoretical Assumptions During times of crisis, our attachment
needs are heightened. We want our partners to show acceptance,
availability, to offer comfort and support. We want to feel
nurtured. When a spouse does not respond to her partners bid for
attention or reassurance this called an attachment injury.
Ouch!
- Slide 19
- Attachment Styles 1. Secure Attachment 2. Anxious Attachment 3.
Avoidant Attachment 4. Fearful Avoidant Attachment These ways of
engaging significant others are self- maintaining patterns of
social interaction and help regulate emotion. These can be modified
in new relationships, but they can also mold relationships and
become self-perpetuating
- Slide 20
- The Therapist (thats you!) EFT is a combination of Art &
Theory Susan Johnson
- Slide 21
- Three Main Tasks of the Therapist 1. Create and maintain a
strong, therapeutic alliance. 2. Access and reformulate emotion. 3.
Help the couple restructure a couples interactional pattern--the
main treatment goal.
- Slide 22
- Therapeutic Interventions Reflection Reframing Evocative
responding Validation Empathic attunement Tracking the cycle
Heightening There are 9 steps and 3 stages in EFT therapy.
- Slide 23
- Stage I: Cycle De-escalation Step 1: Alliance and Assessment C
onnect with both partners, build an alliance T herapist gathers
relationship history/key events I ndividual sessions to build
rapport, assess for safety, affairs, mental health and addiction
issues and obtain attachment history C reates therapeutic
agreement
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- Stage I Step 2: Identifying the Negative Interactional Cycle
Therapist tracks the conflict cycle Therapist validates secondary
emotion and watches for primary emotion Therapist uses attachment
language
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- Typical Conflict Patterns Pursue/withdraw Withdraw/withdraw
Attack/attack Complex cycle
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- Stage I Step 3: Accessing unacknowledged feelings underlying
interactional positions Therapist helps access primary emotion A
deep Step 3 is necessary for de-escalation
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- Stage I Step 4: Reframe the problem in terms of underlying
feelings and attachment needs. Therapist helps expand couples
understanding how the problem is a reoccurring pattern The cycles
becomes the enemy.
- Slide 28
- You know a couple has de- escalated when Couple views cycle as
the problem Couple can look beyond their own Partner sees role in
cycle and impact on other Couple can begin to exit their cycle
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- Stage II: Deeper Connections Step 5: Promote Identification
with disowned attachment emotions, needs and aspects of self.
Therapist helps couple increase awareness and ownership of
attachment vulnerabilities accessed in Stage 1. Couples identify
underlying emotions and place them in their cycle. Initial focus is
on the withdrawn partner who elaborates on his emotional reality in
the relationship. Observing partner sees a softer, more engaged
partner.
- Slide 30
- Stage II Step 6: Promote acceptance by each partner of the
others experience. Therapist supports both partnersthe one
disclosing thoughts & feelings and the one listening. Listening
partners typically have difficulty accepting their partners newly
accessed emotions. Acceptance of new emotions occurs when the
listening partner allows herself to feel empathy for her
spouse.
- Slide 31
- Stage II Step 7: Facilitate the expression of needs and wants,
restructuring interaction to create new experience and bonding. W
ithdrawer re-engagement: Previously withdrawn partner shares
attachment wants and needs from a newly engaged, relational
position. O nce withdrawer is re-engaged, therapist completes Step
7 with blaming partner P owerful bonding events are now
possible.
- Slide 32
- Stage III: Consolidation and Integration Step 8: Facilitate
emergence of new solutions to old problems. Therapist helps the
couple find new solutions to long-standing issues in their
relationship and consolidate the gains they achieved Step 9:
Consolidate new positions and cycles of attachment behaviors. Focus
on the integration of more secure patterns into the everyday
interaction of the couple. Therapist helps couple celebrate their
accomplishments in therapy by helping them create a narrative of
their journey
- Slide 33
- Stage III Narrative Three components of their story:
Differences between how they once acted toward one another and how
they act now. Understanding of emotions underlying each partners
actions in the cycle. Ways the couple has found to exit their cycle
and connect to one another.
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- Awareness & understanding of their ability to handle
negative affect Clear expression on the value of their relationship
Minimal engagement in defensiveness while discussing problems
Ability to reflect how they contributed to the changes Ability to
reflect on their personal growth Narrative should include We did
it!
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- Stage III Termination Therapist helps process feelings about
future direction. Therapist highlights their capabilities.
Therapist helps them develop attachment ritualsa joint activity a
couple repeats on a regular basis that is meaningful to them both.
Therapist helps them find closure on issues outside the
relationship that arose during therapy.
- Slide 36
- Oh, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person:
having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour
them out. Just as they arechaff and grain together, knowing that a
faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping,
and then with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away. Dinah
Maria (Mulock) Craik, 1826-1887 A quote from Jan Karons newest
book, Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good.
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- References EFT Core Skills Training, Session 1, Steps 1 &
2: Assessment & Alliance Building. September 14 & 15, 2012.
Jeff Hickey, Chicago Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy. EFT
Core Skills Training, Session 2: De-escalation. October 19, 2013.
Jeff Hickey, Chicago Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy. EFT
Core Skills Training, Session 3: Withdrawer Re-engagement. January
1, 2014. Jeff Hickey, Chicago Center for Emotionally Focused
Therapy. EFT Core Skills Training, Session 4: Blamer Softening
& Consolidation. April 25, 2014. Jeff Hickey, Chicago Center
for Emotionally Focused Therapy. Emotionally Focused Therapy: A
Four Day Externship. December 7-10, 2011. Presented by Gail Palmer.
Johnson, Susan M. (2005). Becoming an Emotionally Focused Couple
Therapist, The Workbook. New York: Taylor & Francis Group,
LLC
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- EFT Resources CCEFT: Chicago Center for Emotionally Focused
Therapy, www.chicagoeft.comwww.drsuejohnson.com
www.chicagoeft.comwww.drsuejohnson.com Emotionally-Focused Couples
Therapy. The Geneva Series: Course GS 506. Sharon Hart May (2006).
American Association of Christian Counselors. Hold Me Tight: Seven
Conversations for a Lifetime of Love. Sue Johnson (2008). New York:
Little, Brown and Company. ICEEFT: The International Centre for
Excellence in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy,
www.eft.cawww.eft.ca Love Sense: The Revolutionary New Science of
Romantic Relationships. Dr. Sue Johnson (2013). New York: Little,
Brown and Company. www.drsuejohnson.com