EMOTION FOCUSED COUPLE THERAPY 

Emotion Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) was developed by Dr Sue Johnson and Dr Les Greenburg.  EFCT is an empirically supported relationship therapy.  It has been found to be successful with couples; parent-child relationships; gay couples; couples where there is terminal or chronic illness in the family; couples where one or both partners experience a post trauma syndrome. 

EFCT is essentially an emotion, attachment theory based intervention.  The focus of therapy is on the adult attachment relationship rather than the attachment styles individuals develop during childhood.   

Attachment relationships are where the emotional needs of each person in the relationship are of primary importance.  By focusing on the emotional support and connection each person in the relationship is seeking from their partner, and what they feel is missing, the risk of being ‘side tracked’ by other issues in the relationship are minimized.  However any major disruption to the relationship is directly addressed, for example if one partner has been unfaithful.  In this context it is the damage done to the trust in the relationship which is focused on, and how to rebuild that trust by recognizing and providing the emotional support required in the relationship. 

EFCT is a brief form of couple therapy.  Typically EFCT consists of an individual session for each partner and then 10-12 joint sessions.  However, when one partner has been traumatized therapy may take longer. 

Currently there are few accredited EFCT therapists in private practice in Perth.  TASSC is hoping to bring out an EFCT trainer to increase the number of EFCT couple therapists in WA. 

Elizabeth Sachse, Psychologist at TASSC, is an accredited EFCT therapist.  She completed her externship with Dr Sue Johnson in Ottawa, Canada, in June 2007.  Elizabeth is currently accepting referrals for couple therapy.

 Key Princilpes of EFT