The Practice of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: Creating Connection

I have been intrigued by Emotionally Focused Therapy and have a good understanding of its theoretical underpinnings from my coursework. Less clear to me has been how to actually guide someone through the work. This book clearly explains both the macro- and micro-interventions that therapists can implement to move clients into greater awareness and experiencing of emotions. These emotions and their context provide valuable information about core relational needs. From there, a path forward toward new ways of relating become clearer. It is one of the books I take off my shelf most often to revisit for reminders and new insights.

I’m only a quarter way through and although I believe the theory is a good one, the book is not. Like too many therapy textbooks, this is far too wordy and repetitive. On top of that this particular book is not well written. Sentence structures are clumsy and convoluted and often long enough to constitute a paragraph! Particularly irksome is the authors overuse of the comma making faster reading impossible. Very unimpressed especially given the price point.

Recommend this text for those looking into EFT.

Johnson's attachment-based experiential/systemic integration is theoretically elegant and brilliant, and powerful in practice where it really counts. Plus this manual is full of examples highlighting every move and technique in clear, understandable ways. This one is a must read for every therapist!

Love this book. Johnson is clear, practical and concise. Her writing is also inspiring and shifts between marco and micro conceptualizations with ease. The book offers everything a counsellor needs to know about beginning to practice EFT.