Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) has become a popular approach for helping couples strengthen their relationships by focusing on emotions and attachment. But what about families? Can EFT work for families too? The answer is yes! Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) is an adaptation of EFT that helps families build stronger emotional bonds and improve communication. While research on EFFT is still growing, early studies show that it can be highly effective, especially when working with families dealing with tough situations like adolescent behavior issues or mental health struggles.
What is Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)?
Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) is a type of therapy that focuses on the emotional connections between family members. It is based on the idea that healthy relationships are built on secure emotional bonds, which help people feel safe, understood, and valued. In EFFT, therapists work with families to help them express their feelings in a way that promotes understanding and connection, rather than conflict or emotional distance. The goal of EFFT is to break negative cycles of behavior and create more positive interactions. By focusing on emotions—especially the deeper feelings behind a person’s actions—EFFT helps families communicate better, strengthen their relationships, and support each other more effectively.
What Do Studies Say About EFFT?
Most of the research on Emotionally Focused Therapy has focused on couples, but more recently, studies have looked at how EFT can be used with families. While the research on EFFT is still limited compared to couple-focused EFT studies, the results so far have been promising.
One of the earliest studies on EFFT, conducted by researchers Johnson, Maddeaux, and Blouin in 1998, explored how EFFT could be used to treat young women with bulimia nervosa, a serious eating disorder. In this study, the women also struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts. The researchers found that EFFT helped reduce symptoms of bulimia, lowered levels of depression, and showed better recovery rates compared to individual therapy. This study was important because it showed that EFFT could help individuals with serious mental health issues by improving the emotional dynamics within their families. Other studies have shown similar positive outcomes when EFFT is used with families who have adolescents facing emotional or behavioral challenges. For example, studies by Bloch and Guillory (2011) and Palmer and Efron (2007) demonstrated that EFFT can be effective in helping families with teenagers who are struggling with things like anger, rebellion, or depression. These case studies show that EFFT can help family members understand each other better, express their emotions more openly, and improve their relationships.
Although the research on EFFT is still developing, there are plans for more studies to explore how it works and the specific benefits it offers families. The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) is actively conducting research to better understand the outcomes of EFFT and how it can help families in different situations.
How Does EFFT Work in Practice?
In practice, EFFT follows a structured process to help family members understand their emotional patterns and strengthen their connections. This process is often referred to as the “EFT Tango.” The EFT Tango is a step-by-step sequence of interventions that guide family members through emotional moments and help them break free from negative cycles of behavior.
Let’s break down the steps of the EFT Tango:
Mirroring: In the first step, the therapist helps family members understand the emotional cycle they’ve been stuck in. This might involve reflecting on how one person’s actions have led to reactions from others that make the situation worse. For example, one family member might feel rejected or misunderstood, which causes them to respond with anger or withdrawal. The therapist helps everyone see how these reactions are creating a cycle that reinforces the problem.
Affect Assembly: The next step focuses on helping family members express their true feelings. Often, people act out or behave in ways that hide their deeper emotions, such as fear, hurt, or shame. In this step, family members are encouraged to talk about their feelings more openly. This allows them to become more vulnerable, which can help them connect with each other on a deeper emotional level.
Choreographed Encounter: This step involves guiding family members through a conversation in which they can express apologies, share their emotions, and make repairs to their relationship. In this part of the process, people are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and show genuine remorse. This step helps break down walls of defiance or emotional distance and allows for healing to begin.
Processing: In the processing step, family members talk about their emotional experiences and begin to understand each other better. They discuss their past pain, fears, and unmet needs, which can often explain why they behave the way they do. This step is key to fostering empathy and mutual understanding, which are critical for rebuilding trust and emotional safety.
Integration and Validation: In the final step, family members acknowledge the emotional connection they share and validate each other’s feelings. This might include recognizing the love and care they have for each other, even if their actions haven’t always shown it. By integrating this understanding into their relationship, family members can move forward with stronger emotional bonds and a deeper sense of connection.
The Benefits of EFFT for Families
The outcomes of EFFT are powerful. Families who undergo this type of therapy often report significant improvements in their relationships. Here are some of the key benefits of EFFT:
Improved Communication: One of the biggest benefits of EFFT is that it helps family members communicate more openly and effectively. By teaching people to express their emotions in a clear and non-judgmental way, EFFT reduces misunderstandings and increases emotional support within the family.
Stronger Emotional Bonds: EFFT helps families reconnect emotionally. By focusing on attachment and emotional vulnerability, family members can build stronger, more secure relationships. This is especially important for families dealing with conflict or emotional distance.
Behavioral Improvements: In many cases, EFFT helps reduce negative behaviors, such as aggression or withdrawal, by addressing the underlying emotional issues. As family members become more attuned to each other’s needs and feelings, they are less likely to act out in hurtful ways.
Increased Empathy and Understanding: EFFT encourages family members to see things from each other’s perspectives. This can lead to increased empathy and a deeper understanding of each person’s emotional world, helping everyone feel more validated and supported.
Better Problem-Solving: As family members become more flexible in their interactions and more willing to listen to each other, they can work together more effectively to solve problems. EFFT promotes collaboration and cooperation, which can make it easier for families to tackle challenges together.
Conclusion
Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) is an effective approach that can help families heal and improve their relationships. Although more research is needed to fully understand its benefits, the studies so far show that EFFT can be especially helpful for families dealing with emotional struggles, behavioral issues, or mental health challenges. By focusing on emotional bonds, attachment, and vulnerability, EFFT creates a safe space for families to express their feelings, understand each other better, and build stronger connections. If you’re looking for a way to improve your family’s communication or rebuild relationships, EFFT could be a powerful tool for lasting change.
Resources: Attachment Theory in Practice: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with Individuals, couples, and Families
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