What is Emotionally Focused Therapy?

EFT is based on clear, explicit research-based conceptualizations of individual growth, strengthening relationships and lowering relationship distress.

One pillar of EFT is the evidence-based research on how having safe and secure loving relationships continues to be important throughout a person’s life.

This is how Emotionally Focused Therapy is described at the International Center for Excellence in EFT:

“EFT is a structured approach, originally developed for couple therapy and based on attachment, formulated in the 1980’s by Dr. Sue Johnson.

Emotionally Focused Therapy is Used with Individuals and Families

A substantial body of research now exists on the effectiveness of Emotionally focused couple therapy. This research shows large treatment effect sizes and stable results over-time as most couples report significant improvement or recovery.

Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy is used successfully to treat a wide range of relationship difficulties; in private practice, university training centers and hospital clinics.

Supporting research now exists for couples dealing with depression, anxiety resulting from trauma, and with medical illness.

Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy is also now widely utilized for couples recovering from substance use disorders, addiction, and recovering from affairs and betrayals of trust and cultural groups around the world.

Dr. Sue Johnson is an author, clinical psychologist, researcher, professor, popular presenter and speaker and a leading innovator in the field of couple therapy and adult attachment. Sue is the primary developer of Emotionally Focused Couples and Family Therapy (EFT), which has demonstrated its effectiveness in over 30 years of peer-reviewed clinical research.

Sue Johnson is founding Director of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) and Distinguished Research Professor at Alliant University in San Diego, California, and Professor, Clinical Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia, Canada, as well as Professor Emeritus, Clinical Psychology, at the University of Ottawa, Canada. 

Dr. Johnson has received a variety of awards acknowledging her development of EFT and her significant contribution to the field of couple and family therapy and adult attachment. Sue was appointed in 2017 as a Member of the Order of Canada, the country’s highest civilian honor recognizing outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to Canada. In 2016, she was named Psychologist of the Year by APA, and has been honored by AAMFT for her Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Couple and Family Therapy.

Sue is author of best-selling books; including these for laypersons: “Hold Me Tight, Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love”, “Created for Connection”, (for Christian couples and co-authored with Kenneth Sanderfer, LMFT), and “Love Sense”,  based on ground-breaking research on relationships – how to enhance them, how to repair them and how to keep them.

The Hold Me Tight program and Created for Connection have been adapted for weekend workshops for cultural and specific groups such as for couples facing heart disease, families with teens/young adults, and Christian couples.