CFT 412 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Emotionally Focused Therapy, Attachment In Adults, Communication Problems

• School: University of Oregon
• Department: Counseling Psychology and Human Services
• Course: CFT 412
• Professor: Emily Johnson

Document Summary

Eft (emotionally focused therapy) for couples is now widely useful and popular. Change strategies and interventions are specified in nine clearly stated steps. Theoretical base is explicit in terms of adult love and marital distress. Conceptualizations are supported by research on nature of marital distress and adult attachment. Has a wide range of uses: parents of chronically ill children, depressed women, couples with ptsd, families. Reshapes distressed couples structured, repetitive interaction patterns and emotional responses to evoke patterns. Emotion is primary in organizing attachment behaviors and guides and gives meaning to perception and motivation and cues behaviors and communication. Needs and desires of partners are essentially healthy and adaptive. Problems are maintained by the way interactions are organized and dominant emotional experience of each partner in the relationship. Change occurs not through insight, catharsis or negotiation but new emotional experience. The client in couples therapy is the relationship between the partners. Typically includes 8-12 sessions, more if needed.