What is Emotion-Focused Therapy? | AIEFT Australia

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) is a widely respected, evidence-based psycho-therapy founded by Leslie S. Greenberg. But what is Emotion Focused Therapy? We break it down so that Emotion Focused Therapy is fully explained, alongside our EFT Training in Australia.

Rooted in humanistic, experiential, and attachment theories, EFT positions emotions as a vehicle for healing and transformation. This framework supports individuals in recognising, processing, and utilising their emotions to create meaningful change [1].

The Role of Emotions in EFT
Emotions serve as critical messengers, guiding our actions and signalling our needs. However, when left unprocessed, emotions can lead to maladaptive patterns and psychological distress. EFT emphasises these core principles:

• Emotional Awareness: Emotions are not merely reactions; they are vital for understanding our environment and motivating adaptive behaviour. [3]
• Emotional Transformation: Replacing maladaptive emotional responses with adaptive ones through guided exploration and reprocessing [1].
• Experiential Focus: EFT emphasises the in-the-moment [4] experience of emotions, encouraging clients to explore their feelings in a safe and supportive environment.

Breaking Barriers with EFT
EFT’s approach to therapeutic change involves the transformation of stuck, maladaptive and painful emotional states – such as fear and shame – by accessing adaptive healing emotional responses, such as self-compassion and assertive anger. 

EFT’s approach to emotional challenges involves shifting maladaptive emotional responses—like shame or fear—into constructive states such as self-worth or empowerment [6].

The Compass Within
Emotions act as an internal compass guiding choices and actions. Through EFT, individuals learn to navigate emotional landscapes, fostering intuition and deep insight over surface-level analysis [1].

EFT in Action
In EFT, the therapist acts as a compassionate guide, helping clients explore their emotional world with curiosity and acceptance. Therapists guide clients through a structured process:

• Empathic Attunement: Therapists validate the client’s feelings and build trust by deeply tuning into their emotional experiences [10].
• Facilitating Expression: Clients are encouraged to articulate and explore emotions they may have avoided or buried [1].
• Guiding Transformation: Therapists assist in uncovering the core pain underlying maladaptive patterns and fostering adaptive emotional responses [3].

Empowerment Pathways
Through EFT, individuals are equipped with tools to manage and embrace their emotions, creating “emotional superpowers” that enable them to lead more fulfilling and connected lives [1].

Why EFT Matters
EFT’s emphasis on emotions as pathways to healing sets it apart from other therapeutic modalities. By addressing the root causes of emotional distress, EFT enables lasting change and empowers individuals to live authentically. Whether applied to individuals, couples, or trauma survivors, EFT offers a compassionate and effective framework for growth and transformation.

Experience a taste of EFT with our Foundations Training. Find out more here.

References

1. Greenberg, Leslie S. “Emotion-focused therapy: An overview.” Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal 4.33 (2010): 1-12.
2. Greenberg, Leslie S. “Emotion-focused therapy: A clinical synthesis.” Focus 8.1 (2010): 32-42.
3. Greenberg, Leslie S. Emotion-focused therapy. American Psychological Association, 2017.
4. Muntigl, Peter, Lynda Chubak, and Lynne Angus. “Responding to in-the-moment distress in emotion-focused therapy.” Research on Language and Social Interaction 56.1 (2023): 1-21.
5. Mlotek, Ashley E., and Sandra C. Paivio. “Emotion-focused therapy for complex trauma.” Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies 16.3 (2017): 198-214.
6. Greenberg, Leslie S. “Emotion-focused therapy of depression.” Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies 16.2 (2017): 106-117.
7. Timulak, Ladislav, and James McElvaney. “Emotion-focused therapy for generalized anxiety disorder: An overview of the model.” Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy 46 (2016): 41-52.
8. Nødtvedt, Øystein Ottesen, et al. ““You feel they have a heart and are not afraid to show it”: Exploring how clients experience the therapeutic relationship in Emotion-Focused Therapy.” Frontiers in Psychology 10 (2019): 1996.
9. Greenberg, Leslie. “The therapeutic relationship in emotion-focused therapy.” Psychotherapy 51.3 (2014): 350.