Seamus Corcoran EFT Case Study

Emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT) is an empirically supported, short-term, systematic approach to reducing distress in adult couple relationships by addressing rigid interactional patterns and developing more secure attachment bonds . EFT focuses on emotion as the primary transforming element for re-organizing “stuck” patterns of couple interaction in the distressed couple’s relationship . EFT is an integrative and constructivist approach that productively synthesises principles of client-centered therapy with an experiential/gestalt approach to the couple’s systemic context drawn from the principles of structural family therapy  Additionally, attachment theory is synthesised to allow for a non-pathologising, developmental consideration of the couple’s interpersonal functioning. Central elements of attachment needs, underlying insecurities and experiential responses and interpersonal patterns are brought to the couple’s conscious awareness . As EFT simultaneously focuses on intrapersonal and interpersonal functioning  the distressed couple is viewed as struggling with contextual and systemic problems in their developmental attempt to achieve intimacy, love and emotional regulation in an environment of secure attachment . The source of couple distress is seen as attachment anxiety and avoidance as one or both partners observably display lack a felt sense of secure connection to each other.