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Research validating EFT

A summary of research comparing the impact of EFT on marital distress; intimacy enhancement; and low sexual desire with behavioural interventions held as the ‘golden standard’ couple therapy as reported in The Practice of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: Creating Connections (Susan Johnson, 2004).

Some of the most significant facts about the research on EFT are:

• Meta-analysis studies found that EFT couples showed a 70-73% recovery rate from marital distress in 10-12 sessions of therapy and a 90% rate of significant improvement.  This is compared to 35% recovery rate for couples receiving behavioural interventions (Jacobson et al., 1984 cited in Johnson, 2004).  EFT compared favorably with other tested approaches (Johnson, 2003 cited in Johnson, 2004).
• EFT does not have as high a rate of relapse after treatment termination, a common problem in approaches such as behavioural interventions (Jacobson & Addis., 1993., cited in Johnson, 2004).
• Predictive factors for positive outcome in EFT are not associated with initial distress at the beginning of therapy, as found in psychotherapy approaches.  Factors including the females’ partner’s faith in her husband’s caring and therapeutic alliance are more predictive of positive outcome in EFT couple therapy than degree of marital distress.  Additional predictive factors include engagement in the tasks of therapy.  EFT also appears to be effective with “traditional men who have trouble with withdrawal and difficulty expressing emotions”(Johnson & Talitman, 1997., cited in Johnson, 2004).
• Key change events in EFT couple therapy have been identified, such as the “resolution of attachment injuries by a process of forgiveness and reconciliation.” (Johnson, Makinen & Millikin, 2001., cited in Johnson, 2004).
• Research has found EFT to be successful when implemented with many different kinds of clients including partners from different cultures and social classes (Denton, Burleson, Clarke, Rodriguez & Hobbs, 2000., cited in Johnson 2004); gay couples (Josephson, 2003., cited in Johnson, 2004); older couples (Bradley & Palmer, 2003., cited in Johnson, 2004); and couples suffering from chronic illness (Kowal, Johnson & Lee, 2003., cited in Johnson, 2004);  or from couples suffering from depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress disorder (Johnson, 2002., cited in Johnson, 2004).

All information regarding EFT is quoted for paraphrased from ‘The Practice of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: Creating Connections’ (Johnson, S.M., 2004) or ‘Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy with Trauma Survivors: Strengthening Attachment Bonds’ (Johnson, S.M., 2002).  This information represents to basic tenets of EFT and any errors are unintentional.

Delegates are strongly recommended to pre-read ‘The Practice of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: Creating Connections’ available on order at Archive Book Store, Claremont, prior to the workshop.

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