Susan Johnson – 2-Day Intensive Online Course: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Difficult Couples Evidence-Based Techniques to Effectively Work With Challenging Couples

Outline

Couple TherapyCouple Therapy

What’s Necessary to Create Secure, Lasting BondsWhat’s Necessary to Create Secure, Lasting Bonds

• How not to get caught in the overwhelmHow not to get caught in the overwhelm
• Don’t label and get caught in finger pointingDon’t label and get caught in finger pointing
• Going beyond looking at symptomsGoing beyond looking at symptoms

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) & Attachment TheoryEmotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) & Attachment Theory

EFT Model – Secure Base for Effective TherapyEFT Model – Secure Base for Effective Therapy

• Build a therapeutic allianceBuild a therapeutic alliance
• Reprocess and distill emotionReprocess and distill emotion
• Choreograph new interactionsChoreograph new interactions
• Restructure attachmentRestructure attachment
• Utilize the five basic moves of the EFT therapistUtilize the five basic moves of the EFT therapist
• Limitations of research & potential risksLimitations of research & potential risks

Three Stages of EFTThree Stages of EFT

The Structure, Moves, Interventions & Key Change EventsThe Structure, Moves, Interventions & Key Change Events

• Stage 1-De-escalation of Negative Cycles Stage 1-De-escalation of Negative Cycles
  • AssessmentAssessment
  • Identify negative cycle / attachment issuesIdentify negative cycle / attachment issues
  • Access underlying attachment emotionsAccess underlying attachment emotions
  • Frame problem – cycle, attachment needs/ fearsFrame problem – cycle, attachment needs/ fears
• Stage 2-Restructuring Attachment Stage 2-Restructuring Attachment
  • Access implicit needs, fears, models of selfAccess implicit needs, fears, models of self
  • Promote acceptance by otherPromote acceptance by other
  • Structure reach & respond – express attachment needs – bonding interactionsStructure reach & respond – express attachment needs – bonding interactions
• Stage 3-Consolidation of the New Relationship and Future Stage 3-Consolidation of the New Relationship and Future
  • Emotional attachment conflicts have been resolvedEmotional attachment conflicts have been resolved
  • Relationship becomes a safe havenRelationship becomes a safe haven
  • Healing environment for both partnersHealing environment for both partners

Advanced Approaches for Difficult & Attachment Injured CouplesAdvanced Approaches for Difficult & Attachment Injured Couples

AffairsAffairs

• Relationship traumas that destroy trustRelationship traumas that destroy trust
• How to create and communicate a healing narrativeHow to create and communicate a healing narrative
• When healing attempts worsen the riftWhen healing attempts worsen the rift
• Shaping trust and reconciliationShaping trust and reconciliation
• Resolve attachment injuriesResolve attachment injuries

Hostile and Escalated CouplesHostile and Escalated Couples

• Escalation because of traumaEscalation because of trauma
• Establish an in-session safe base for partners in melt down – contain escalationEstablish an in-session safe base for partners in melt down – contain escalation
• Grasp the threats that trigger accusation and defenceGrasp the threats that trigger accusation and defence
• Understand the relationship between PTSD, trust and sexualityUnderstand the relationship between PTSD, trust and sexuality
• Address fear and safetyAddress fear and safety
• Normalize and regulate over the top hyperarousalNormalize and regulate over the top hyperarousal

Withdrawn CouplesWithdrawn Couples

• How to deal with lack of engagement from shut down, dismissing clientsHow to deal with lack of engagement from shut down, dismissing clients
• Stop stonewall and maximize engagementStop stonewall and maximize engagement
• Address co-morbidities blocks in session Address co-morbidities blocks in session
  • DepressionDepression
  • AnxietyAnxiety
  • TraumaTrauma
  • SexualitySexuality
• Pinpoint blocks to constructive dependencyPinpoint blocks to constructive dependency
• Shape change events and graduated risk-takingShape change events and graduated risk-taking

Couples with Past Injuries & VulnerabilitiesCouples with Past Injuries & Vulnerabilities

• Mini traumatic relationship injuries Mini traumatic relationship injuries
  • I will never forgive you…I will never forgive you…
  • I will never rely on you…I will never rely on you…
  • You weren’t there…You weren’t there…
• How to impasses in trustHow to impasses in trust
• Create “hold me conversations”Create “hold me conversations”
• Attachment injury repair in EFTAttachment injury repair in EFT

The Future of Couple Interventions in the 21st CenturyThe Future of Couple Interventions in the 21st Century

• Key changes and challenges in the field of couple therapyKey changes and challenges in the field of couple therapy
• Use the map offered by attachment and EFTUse the map offered by attachment and EFT
• Normalize relationship applicationNormalize relationship application
• EFT for special populations EFT for special populations