Couples Therapy

Emotionally Focused Therapy

When working with couples and families, our therapists assess the unique needs of each relationship, and apply treatments that help people connect more deeply, reduce conflict, and create resilient and lasting relationships. We primarily use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which is an experiential treatment approach whose goal is reconnection between partners. EFT, developed by Susan Johnson and Les Greenberg, is based on over 50 years of Attachment research conducted by John Bowlby. Bowlby demonstrated that humans have an innate drive to connect, to feel attached to and comforted by significant others.

 

Attachment relationships serve a survival function in providing love, comfort, support, and protection throughout the lifespan. However, due to our relationship histories and the negative interaction cycles we get into with our partners, many of us experience difficulty trusting and expressing emotion to the person who means the most to us.

 

EFT maintains a special focus on the emotional experience that underlies the disconnections couples experience. By helping couples connect and communicate about their deeper experiences, EFT aids couples in reforming their bond and creating an atmosphere of safety and trust between them. A substantial body of research outlining the effectiveness of EFT now exists. This research demonstrates that couples significantly improve over the course of treatment and continue to get better at two year follow up. Please refer to the EFT website for further information about the treatment model and current outcome research: www.iceft.com