Emotion Focused Therapy step by step with Rebecca Jorgensen

Many therapists agree that working with couples is perhaps the most difficult aspect of psychotherapy: the challenges and problems are the same, but one has to relate to two different people, who are also in conflict with each other! Without proper training, a therapist can easily feel overwhelmed by this kind of work. Aimed at helping any therapist, more or less experienced, to 'navigate the rough waters' of couples therapy, this innovative series on Emotion Focused Therapy (Emotionally Focused Therapy or EFT), created by Rebecca Jorgensen - an experienced EFT trainer - offers a reassuring framework within which to transform couple relationships through proven techniques belonging to a treatment model evidence-based.

Part One: Basic EFT concepts and interventions 

Part 1 offers a theoretical introduction to EFT, as well as an in-depth look at the essential clinical tasks that characterise Stage 1. Rebecca Jorgensen begins with an overview of Bowlby's attachment theory, particularly in relation to partner relationships. EFT is known for its emphasis on emotion-based interventions; this series aims to teach clinicians how to view couples' needs through the lens of attachment.

Rebecca Jorgensen and her experienced colleagues then present a series of clinical vignettes from real therapy sessions with six different couples, illustrating the different stages of Stage 1 step by step. Therapists will have the opportunity to discover: the so-called "five steps of EFT", on which the entire structure of the therapeutic model is based; the three essential tasks of EFT; the key interventions for accessing emotions (reflecting, validating and responding evocatively); how to intensify the emotional experience and facilitate the "enactment". The latter are an essential element in preparing couples for the next stages of the journey. By clearly describing central aspects such as creating and maintaining the therapeutic alliance, accessing and reformulating emotions, and restructuring interactions, this video offers everything needed to help therapists remain centred and intentional in their work with couples.

Part Two: EFT Stage 1 - Achieving the de-escalation

The second part offers an in-depth look at the most important clinical tasks of Stage 1. Rebecca Jorgensen provides an initial overview of the goals of this stage and the four phases it consists of. Therapists can learn to observe couples' needs and interactions through the lens of attachment, helping each partner to access and understand their own motivations from an emotional perspective. In this way, partners can be helped to reformulate and recalibrate the way they communicate. Once successfully implemented, these tasks lay the foundation for the next steps in the process.

Rebecca Jorgensen and her team of colleagues then show a series of EFT sessions with six real couples, illustrating step by step the tasks that characterise Stage 1. By clearly describing central aspects such as creating and maintaining the therapeutic alliance, accessing and reframing emotions, and restructuring interactions, this video offers the structure and guidelines necessary to help therapists feel supported in their work with couples.

Part 3: EFT Stages 2 and 3 - Intensifying commitment and consolidating experiences

Part 3 offers an in-depth look at the most important clinical tasks of Stage 2 and Stage 3. Rebecca Jorgensen (interviewed by Victor Yalom) begins with an overview of the goals of these two stages and the different stages that constitute them (Stages 5 to 7). Therapists learn how to reframe the couple's needs and interactions through the lens of attachment, helping each partner to access and understand their primary emotions. In addition, through additional didactic sessions and new clinical vignettes, they will have the opportunity to learn how to help partners renew their commitment, 'soften' their attitudes and consolidate their experience. Once the core work of the de-escalation (which, according to Jorgensen, is an ongoing process), couples can use the progress made during Stages 2 and 3 to reach new levels of interconnectedness and self-awareness.

Part Four: Challenges and bottlenecks in EFT

The fourth and final part of the series offers an in-depth look at the most common clinical challenges of EFT. Rebecca Jorgensen begins with an overview of impasse most frequent, and then focus on each of them, analysing the incidents, reformulating them in terms of attachment and showing how they are handled by different therapists. Rebecca Jorgensen and her team of colleagues show some EFT sessions with five real couples, describing how the corrective experiences manifest themselves. Jorgensen also describes a number of clinical errors, producing an extremely accessible guide to normalising therapy challenges and reassuring therapists that repairing the couple relationship is really possible.

Analysing central aspects such as the importance of re-establishing the therapeutic alliance, staying focused on primary emotions and restructuring couple interactions gently but also firmly, this video offers therapists all the support they need to improve their work with couples. Rebecca Jorgensen's series, consisting of 4 videos, is definitely a must-have for clinicians looking for new teaching resources related to EFT.