Emotionally focused couple therapy within VA healthcare: Reductions in relationship distress, PTSD, and depressive symptoms as a function of attachment-based couple treatment.

This article provides a brief overview of emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT) along with some reservations about the method. The article considers questions and critiques which are often raised about the model and does so from the point of view of a practitioner new to the method, who has become convinced of the value of the approach whilst not wanting to jettison an object relations understanding. The segregation between different groups of attachment researchers and practitioners is noted. To provide variation I occasionally use the term "marital" but I do so loosely, referring to a couple bond rather than to a wedded pair. The systemic pattern between a pursuer and a withdrawer which is discussed here could refer to a same-sex or a heterosexual couple, despite the different gender alignments which operate in each case.

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Integrating Sex and Attachment in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy ◽

10.1111/j.1752-0606.2009.00155.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 36 (4) ◽

pp. 431-445 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

Susan Johnson ◽

Dino Zuccarini

Keyword(s):

Couple Therapy ◽

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy ◽

Emotionally Focused

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Emotionally Focused Therapy in the Context of Addictions

The Family Journal ◽

10.1177/1066480718795125 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 330-340

Author(s):

Kara Fletcher ◽

Heather MacIntosh

Keyword(s):

Family Relationships ◽

Couple Therapy ◽

Addiction Treatment ◽

Research Study ◽

Therapeutic Process ◽

Important Place ◽

Couple Functioning ◽

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy ◽

Emotionally Focused

Substance addictions represent a serious social problem in North America, negatively impacting family relationships and couple functioning. Research is increasingly considering the potential for couple therapy as a model within this context. Issues presented by an addiction can be exacerbated by other issues present in a couple relationship. Using a case study design, this research study explored a proposed theoretical extension of emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT) in the context of substance addictions. Four couples were recruited, and an analysis of the therapeutic process and their experiences is presented. Comparisons between the normative EFT treatment model and the theoretical extension are made and recommendations are provided for further adaptations to the model. Results from this study indicate the important place of couple therapy in addiction treatment.

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Cross-Culturally Responsive Training of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: International Experiences

Cross-Cultural Responsiveness & Systemic Therapy - Focused Issues in Family Therapy ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-71395-3_4 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 53-67

Author(s):

Senem Zeytinoglu-Saydam

Keyword(s):

Culturally Responsive ◽

Couple Therapy ◽

International Experiences ◽

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy ◽

Emotionally Focused

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Comparison of Emotionally-Focused Couple Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Regarding Quality of Interpersonal Relationships in Couples with Marital Conflicts

10.32592/ajnpp.2020.7.2.106 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 116-125

Keyword(s):

Interpersonal Relationships ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Couple Therapy ◽

Control Group ◽

Marital Conflicts ◽

Acceptance And Commitment ◽

Repeated Measures Analysis ◽

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy ◽

Emotionally Focused

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of emotionally-focused couple therapy (EFCT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in the quality of interpersonal relationships among couples with marital conflicts. Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and delayed follow-up. The study population consisted of 39 couples with marital conflicts referring to Behzisti counseling centers in Tayebad, Iran, within the second half of 2018 and first half of 2019. The participants, including 13 couples receiving EFCT, 13 couples receiving ACT, and 13 couples as the control group, were selected using convenience sampling. For the experimental groups, nine EFCT sessions and eight ACT sessions were held, and the control group was not subjected to any intervention. The research tools were Sanaeichr('39')s Marital Conflicts Questionnaire and Pierce’s Quality of Interpersonal Relationships Questionnaire that the couples of the three groups completed in three stages, namely pretest, posttest, and follow-up. Repeated measures analysis of variance, Bonferroni test, and SPSS statistical software (version 23) were used to analyze the data. Results: Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that ACT was more effective in the quality of interpersonal relationships among couples with marital conflicts than EFCT (P<0.001). Conclusion: The obtained results of the present study revealed that ACT was more effective than EFCT in the improvement of the quality of interpersonal relationships among couples with marital conflicts.

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