EFT is one of two empirically vali-dated therapies through the APA.

Empirical Support for EFT

EFT is now the second most empirically validated form of therapy in North America (Alexander, Holtzworth-Munroe & Jameson, 1994, in A. Bergin & S. Garfield (Eds), Handbook of Psychotherapy & Behavior Change, 4th edition). Studies in EFT have found that 70 - 73% of couples are recovered from distress at follow-up, that is, they are no longer distressed. 90% report "significant" improvement in their level of happiness in the relationship.

The following are only some of the available references for the empirical research on the effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Therapy, validated as such by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Johnson, S., & Greenberg, L. (1985) The differential effectiveness of experiential and problem solving interventions in resolving marital conflict. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 53, 175-184.

Johnson, S., & Greenberg, L. (1985b) Emotionally focused couples therapy: An outcome study. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 11, 313-317.

Goldman, A., & Greenberg L. (1989) A comparison of systemic and emotionally focused outcome studies: Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 5, 21-28.

James, P. (1991) Effects of a communication training component added to an emotionally focused couples therapy. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy. 17, 263-276.

Desauiles, A (1991) The treatment of clinical depression in the context of marital distress. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.

Dandeneau, M., & Johnson, S, (1994) Facilitating intimacy: A comparative outcome study of emotionally focused and cognitive interventions. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 20, 17-33.

Gordon-Walker, J., Johnson, S., Manion, I., & Cloutier, P. (1996) An emotionally focused marital intervention for couples with chronically ill children. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 64, 1029-1036.

Johnson, S., Gordon-Walker, J., Manion. I., & Cloutier.(2002) Emotionally focused intervention for couples with chronically ill children: a two-year follow-up. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.Vol 28. No. 4. 391-398

Talitman, E., & Johnson, S. (1997) Predictors of outcome in emotionally focused marital therapy. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 23, 135-152.

Johnson, S., Hunsley, J., Greenberg, L. & Schlinder, D. (1999) Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy: Status & Challenges (A meta-analysis). Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, Vol. 6, Issue 1 , pp. 67-79.

Baucom, D., Shoham, V., Mueser, K. Daiuto, A, & Stickle, T. Emperical Supported Couple and family interventions for marital distress and adult mental health problems. Journal of Consulting Clinical Psychology. 58, 53-88.

(2003) Johnson, S. M. The revolution in couples therapy: A practitioner-scientist perspective. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 29, 365-385

Relationships & Marriage Counseling

Empirical Support for EFT