Learning Emotion-Focused Therapy

Updates a classic emotion-focused therapy reference with over 20 years of research and theory.

The first edition of this book became the standard reference and training work for a generation of emotion-focused therapy (EFT) therapists. This second edition aims to inspire the next generation of EFT therapists by fully updating the first edition's coverage of EFT theory and practice, while also describing the most exciting theoretical, practical, and organizational developments of the past 20 years.

Updates in this new edition include:

New integrated models of emotional deepening and EFT case formulation; New questions and activities for self-reflection; Deepened theoretical formulations of the nature and functions of emotions including anger and shame; A comprehensive review of the existing research base in EFT; A supplemental website with course materials to enhance teaching and training.

In EFT, therapists cultivate a deeply empathic, caring presence and offer therapeutic work that follows the client's lead while providing gentle, flexible guidance of their process. The goal is to facilitate a process of emotional deepening in clients as they move from global distress, to core pain, to useful adaptive emotions.