The Effectiveness of EFT

You may have heard a lot about emotionally focused therapy (EFT) or maybe it is brand new to you.  Understandably so, you are probably trying to find a counseling approach that is not just a good fit for you both, but is also effective.  EFT is considered a gold standard approach for couples therapy, so lets dig into the effectiveness of this model. 

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How Effective is EFT in Treating Couples? 

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In a Meta-analysis by Spengler, Lee, Wiebe, & Wittenborn (2024) they were able to support the evidenced based approach with  research, finding that 70% of couples present as symptom free after treatment.  Their findings also supported that when therapists implementing EFT had more fidelity to the EFT model, couples were able to make have stronger outcomes (Spengler, et al., 2024).   

 

While one size doesn't fit all, research has shown that EFT can be broadly applied to many different circumstances and a wide array of relationship problems.  Since EFT is rooted in attachment theory and the science of emotions, it can be utilized across many different populations and relationship problems since it is anchored in a universal experience - our need to be healthily attached to another from cradle to grave.  Attachment is universal and culture shapes the development and the expression of it.

 

Therefore, EFT is effective for a variety of populations and relationship problems, and has research to support its efficacy with treating distressing symptoms in couples relationships. 

 

Is EFT the Right Fit For YOU? 

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Resources

 

Spengler, P. M., Lee, N. A., Wiebe, S. A., & Wittenborn, A. K. (2024). A comprehensive meta-analysis on the efficacy of emotionally focused couple therapy. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 13(2), 81.

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H. Keller (2018),​ Universality claim of attachment theory: Children’s socioemotional development across cultures, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.

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