Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Essay

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Emotionally focused couples therapy (EFCT) is a structured approach to couples it is usually a short-term treatment based on the premise that human emotions are connected to human needs, and therefore emotions have an innately adaptive potential that can help people change problematic emotional states and interpersonal relationships. Couples come to therapy when they are having difficulty feeling connected or emotionally secure with each other. When partners cannot connect, they have a limited number of strategies to cope, and such strategies often set up escalating cycles of negative emotion. EFCT has helped partners of all sexual orientations and religious beliefs, from various cultures around the world. EFCT is for partners who are committed …show more content…

An Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist will work with couples to explore softer, rawer emotions underneath the escalating patterns of hostility. Creating new cycles of bonding interactions occur and replace negative cycles such as pursue-withdraw or criticize-defend. These positive cycles then become self-reinforcing and create permanent change. In a safe environment with the therapist, couples can express their more vulnerable sides with each other, and learn about themselves and each other in ways that are completely new, reassuring and more connected. Then the relationship becomes a safe haven and a healing environment for both partners. EFCT empowers couples by showing them new systematic ways to take control of dances of disconnection and conflict and, even more important, help each other move into the open close embrace that is a secure loving bond. The de-escalation of negative cycles and an expanded emotional experience help couples transform their typical negative patterns of interaction. Thus, EFCT achieves its goal to help couples create a secure emotional bond with each other. EFCT is based on a theory of adult love that has been supported by the latest research in neuroscience. At the core of EFCT is the idea that people are wired to connect, and that a safe and secure connection with another is not only a birth right but necessary for health and