Primer for Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)

Susan M. Johnson, Ed.D., is the leading developer of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for individuals, couples, and families. She is Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology at the University of Ottawa, Distinguished Research Professor at Alliant University, San Diego, and Director of the International Center for Excellence in EFT (www.iceeft.com). She has received many awards for her seminal work in couple therapy and attachment and is the proud recipient of the Order of Canada. Her book Hold me Tight has sold more than one million copies world wide.T. Leanne Campbell, Ph.D., is co-director of the Vancouver Island Centre for EFT and Campbell & Fairweather Psychology Group (a multi-site psychology practice) and is an Honorary Research Associate of Vancouver Island University. Initially trained by Dr. Susan M. Johnson, she has been working in the EFT model across modalities for the past three decades. She trains professionals around the globe and is a co-developer of various educational materials and programs.

"When the age-old internal battle between reason and emotion rages endlessly as it does in our patients seeking therapy, with emotion often winning, it only makes sense that the focus of therapy should be on emotion. Now two internationally acclaimed experts in the treatment of emotional dysfunction and its attachment theory underpinnings, Drs. Sue Johnson and Leanne Campbell, show how the successful emotionally focused approach that works so well with couples, has now been adapted to working with individuals. Every clinician will want to have this well-written and entertaining primer on Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy on their bookshelf." David H. Barlow, Ph.D., ABPP, Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry Emeritus Founder, Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Boston University "Sue Johnson and Leanne Campbell have written a wonderful primer for Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT). This book is everything one looks for in a primer; it is concise and well written, providing the clear conceptual base for this therapy as well as pragmatic directions about what to do in session. The methods described build on Sue’s landmark widely disseminated evidence-based therapy for couples, bringing the insights from that work to individual therapy. Johnson and Campbell’s methods are a model of how to work with attachment and emotion in individual therapy. It is almost certain that EFIT will soon occupy a central place in individual therapy, just as EFCT has become the most widely practiced couple therapy. This is certainly a book that should be read by every individual therapist and therapist in training." Jay Lebow, Ph.D., Senior Scholar and Clinical Professor; Editor, Family Process The Family Institute at Northwestern and Northwestern University, Evanston, IL"…the new EFIT book, which I think is very good and quite important:This wonderful, inspiring book shares over 35 years of clinical experience in applying Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to instill life-altering positive change in individual clients. The authors do a beautiful job describing what Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) is, how and why it works, and what makes it such an effective new form of therapy. This is required reading for therapists as well as those interested in improving the mental and emotional well-being of others." Jeffry Simpson, Ph.D., Distinguished University Teaching Professor; Chair, Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota"In this sequel to Sue Johnson’s seminal book on EFT, the authors convey, both an academic and a visceral sense about the theory and practice of this innovative emotionally focused approach to the healing of deep developmental wounds. In their dynamic approach, therapists are lead, at each-step, how to safely open their clients to their emotional wounds, and to increase their capacity for self-reflection and authentic relationships. Without any doubt, this is a most important resource for all therapists wishing to do depth work with their clients." Peter A Levine, author of In an Unspoken Voice, and Trauma and Memory, Brain and Body in the Search for the Living Past"The emotional and clinical wisdom shown in the therapeutic dialogues will lift up and empower any therapist with an experiential bent. We have a lot to learn how best to use the science of attachment in psychotherapy, but you could not do better than to start here." Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., Foundation Professor of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno; Originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

• Introduction 1. What is EFIT? Let's See! 2. What is the Guiding Framework for EFIT? 3. Shaping Safety: How Does the EFIT Therapist Engage the Client? 4. How Does Emotion Move the Client into Change in EFIT? 5. What is the Macro-Intervention Sequence, the EFIT Tango? 6. What are the Key Micro-Interventions Used in EFIT? 7. How Does the Therapist Tune in and Find Focus – Assess the Client? 8. How Does the Therapist Shape Stabilization in Stage 1 of EFIT? 9. How Does the Therapist Restructure Self and System in Stage 2 of EFIT? 10. How Does the Therapist Guide Consolidation in Stage 3 of EFIT? 11. What Do Key Change Events Look Like in EFIT? 12. Epilogue Appendix Resources References Index