What is Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples?
Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT-C), developed by Leslie Greenberg and Rhonda Goldman, is a therapeutic approach designed to address relational conflicts and emotional injuries by enhancing couples’ abilities in affect regulation. While it originated from a shared model with Sue Johnson’s Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) in the mid-1980s, Greenberg’s EFT-C has evolved to incorporate a broader theoretical framework and distinct clinical emphases.
Key Therapeutic Components and Mechanisms of Change
Revealing Underlying Vulnerable Emotion: This is considered the cornerstone and primary mechanism of change in EFT-C. It involves partners letting their guard down and openly sharing their painful inner experiences, such as fear, shame, or sadness, rather than expressing secondary, reactive emotions like anger or blame. The expression of vulnerability tends to evoke compassion and support from the partner, thereby strengthening the emotional bond, promoting intimacy and trust.
Forgiveness: An important aspect of emotional recovery, especially following interpersonal injuries. Forgiveness involves letting go of hurt and anger and, in some cases, generating compassion and empathy towards the injuring partner. A model of forgiveness in EFT-C highlights key components: the injuring partner’s nondefensive acceptance of responsibility, expression of shame/empathic distress (which transforms identity), and a heartfelt apology. These actions lead to a crucial shift in the injured partner’s view of the other, fostering trust and facilitating forgiveness.
About the Trainer
Dr. Catalina Woldarsky Meneses completed her doctorate degree in clinical psychology at York University under the direction of Dr. Leslie Greenberg. She has extensive training in Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) for individuals and couples. Her research has been focused to understanding how forgiveness unfolds in couples, and she co-authored a book on this topic in 2019 with APA. Dr. Woldarsky Meneses is involved in training and supervising therapists learning EFT internationally. Originally from Chile, she is based in Switzerland and works in private practice, while also teaching in the graduate counseling program at Webster University and dedicating time to her family and yoga practice.
About Caper Institute and EFT Certification
Caper Institute is the only training provider in Singapore appointed by the International Society of Emotion Focused Therapy (ISEFT) to conduct certification training for Emotion-Focused Therapy. You may visit ISEFT’s website here: https://www.iseft.org/.
You may learn more about the requirements of becoming a fully-certified EFT Therapist here: https://caperspring.com/caper-institute/institute-for-helping-professionals/
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