Singapore University of Social Sciences

Emotionally Focused Therapy

Emotionally Focused Therapy (COU550)

Synopsis

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) course offers a comprehensive theory of the love relationship and attachment between adults, as well as a process for addressing and healing distressed relationships. The experiential/systemic therapy focuses on helping spouses/ partners restructure the emotional responses that maintain their negative interaction patterns. The trainee therapist will be introduced to a series of nine therapeutic steps in EFT, and learn basic EFT skills to lead the couple away from conflict deadlock into new bonding interactions in their relationship.

Level: 5
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY JAN

Topics

  • The Field of Couple Therapy: The Place of EFT
  • Basics of the EFT Model
  • Adult Attachment Theory
  • Overview of the Process of Change: Stages and Steps
  • EFT Interventions
  • EFT Stage 1: Alliance and Assessment
  • EFT Stage 1: De-escalation
  • EFT Stage 2: Restructure the Bond: Withdrawer Re-engagement
  • EFT Stage 2: Restructure the Bond: Pursuer Softening
  • EFT Stage 3 Consolidation of a Secure Base
  • Becoming an EFT Therapist
  • Trauma and Attachment Injuries

Learning Outcome

  • Appraise the theoretical underpinnings of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples
  • Assess the ‘music of the dance’ between partners, and move the couple into effective loving and a relationship of interdependence
  • Formulate the way EFT tenets are linked to key emotions and events in interactions between spouses/partners
  • Compose interventions on accessing key elements of emotional distress and de-escalating destructive interaction patterns
  • Construct positive interactions that renew trust and intimacy or reduce destructive interaction patterns
  • Recommend the ways therapist is able to overcome therapeutic impasses in couple therapy in local contexts
Back to top
Back to top