Exploring the effectiveness of emotionally focused therapy for depressive symptoms and relationship distress among couples in Taiwan: A single-arm pragmatic trial.

This is the first study to explore the effectiveness of emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT) for depressive symptoms and relationship distress among couples in Taiwan. This one-arm pragmatic trial assessed the clinical outcomes of 17 couples using multilevel modeling to investigate changes in depressive symptoms and relationship distress throughout treatment. Over half of the participants were moderately depressed and moderately distressed at baseline. Multilevel models revealed decreased depressive symptoms over time, with a small increase toward the end of treatment. However, no significant changes were observed in relationship distress over time. The study was limited by the low "dose" of EFT (M = 7 sessions) received by participants and the small sample size (n = 17). A comprehensive discussion of the findings from a cultural perspective was provided. Future research is needed to further examine the effectiveness of EFT for couples in Taiwan and Asia.

The use of homework in emotion-focused therapy for depression.

Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) is an empirically supported treatment of depression, and an integrative, transdiagnostic therapy approach focusing on transforming emotions that are the cause of a person's emotional pain and suffering. In-session experiential work and two-chair interventions are consolidated and expanded by between-session homework which is viewed as a natural extension of in-session work. As the focus on emotion in EFT necessitates the provision of a safe, attuned, empathic relationship and a good collaboration on the tasks and goals of therapy the use of homework is very well-suited to this approach. An EFT case example is discussed to illustrate how homework can be an important ingredient to strengthen and facilitate change in treating a depressed client with a core underlying feeling of shame related to unresolved childhood trauma.

Addressing power in couples therapy: Integrating socio-emotional relationship therapy and emotionally focused therapy.

Romantic relationships are more satisfying and fulfilling when power is balanced relatively equally between partners (Leonhardt et al., Journal of Family Psychology, 34, 2020, and 1). Yet, few couples therapy models explicitly outline how to confront relational power issues (Knudson-Martin & Huenergardt, 2015, Socio-emotional relationship therapy: Bridging emotion, societal context, and couple interaction, Springer). Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT; Johnson, 2020, The practice of emotionally focused couple therapy, Routledge) is a well-established, evidence-based therapy modality that many therapists use with couple clients, yet despite its effectiveness, it does not provide direction for explicitly addressing and treating power differentials in couple relationships. In this paper, we explore the integration of EFT with Socio-emotional Relationship Therapy (SERT), a model overlay that acknowledges the impact of social discourse on enactments of power in intimate couple relationships. We first address the importance of understanding power in couple relationships, addressing power in couples therapy, and provide a brief overview of SERT and EFT. We then introduce an integration of the models intended to help therapists balance power, increase connection, and secure attachment bonds between romantic partners.

The use of emotionally focused therapy with polyamorous relationships.

Approximately 5% of people in the United States engage in some form of consensual non-monogamy (CNM; Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2018, 47, 1439). Therapists are becoming increasingly aware of the need to treat members of CNM relationships, including polyamorous relationships. To date, no research has been conducted and little has been written about applying existing couple therapy models normed on heterosexual, cisgender, monogamous relationships to CNM or polyamorous relationships. Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is an empirically supported treatment for relationship distress that offers promise for working with polyamorous relationships due to the model's systemic and attachment theoretical foundations. We propose EFT is an ideal model for working with polyamorous relationships because of the focus on externalizing, interpersonal and intrapersonal emotional and experiential coherence, and the attachment bond. Building and sustaining multiple attachment relationships allows for the fulfilment of a diverse range of relational needs and wants as well as provides a secure base for individual and relational exploration. In this article, we first provide general information about polyamory and discuss the research on attachment theory and polyamory. We then provide a step-by-step conceptualization of how EFT therapists can expand the model to include extra-dyadic attachment relationships. In addition, we include specific ways in which the model would need to be adapted when working with polyamorous clients. We conclude with recommendations for EFT therapists working with polyamorous relationships.

The therapeutic alliance in couple therapy: Patterns by treatment and sex in a randomized controlled trial of emotionally focused therapy and treatment as usual.

The formation and development of the therapeutic alliance in couple therapy is a complex process and a key contributor to positive treatment outcomes. This study explored differences in trajectories of therapeutic alliance by sex and treatment condition among 24 couples randomized to receive Emotionally Focused Therapy or treatment as usual. The results identified a curvilinear growth pattern for alliance across both treatment groups. Female partners reported higher alliance than male partners after the first session across treatment groups, and female partners receiving Emotionally Focused Therapy reported higher initial alliance than female partners receiving treatment as usual. The rates of change for alliance did not differ by sex or treatment condition. The implications of the change pattern and differences in alliance formation by sex and treatment are discussed.

Caregiver openness in emotionally focused family therapy: A critical shift.

Through the application of a discovery-oriented task analysis, this research delineated specific therapist behaviors that resulted in a successful caregiver openness event in emotionally focused family therapy (EFFT). EFFT experts were recruited via email and asked to submit family therapy recordings where they believed a caregiver openness event occurred. Ten family therapy recordings were submitted by three experts. Within these recordings, 12 caregiver openness events were discovered and critically analyzed. Nine themes were identified and interventions therapists applied to accomplish these themes were delineated using the emotionally focused therapy-coding scheme (EFT-CS). These themes included: (1) validating and reframing the child's protected stance, (2) processing the impact of the child's unmet attachment longings, (3) validating the caregiver's blocked relational stance, (4) expanding caregiving intentions, (5) enacting the caregiver's intentions to meet the child's attachment longings, (6) processing the enactment, (7) processing and promoting caregiver accessibility to the child's response, (8) heightening the caregiver's accessible stance, and (9) enhancing shifting family dynamics. Additional findings, implications for clinical practice, training, and future research are discussed.

Clients' Facial Expressions of Self-Compassion, Self-Criticism, and Self-Protection in Emotion-Focused Therapy Videos.

Clients' facial expressions allow psychotherapists to gather more information about clients' emotional processing. This study aims to examine and investigate the facial Action Units (AUs) of self-compassion, self-criticism, and self-protection within real Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) sessions. For this purpose, we used the facial analysis software iMotions. Twelve video sessions were selected for the analysis based on specific criteria. For self-compassion, the following AUs were significant: AUs 4 (brow furrow), 15 (lip corner depressor), and the AU12_smile (lip corner puller). For self-criticism, iMotions identified the AUs 2 (outer brow raise), AU1 (inner brow raise), AU7 (lid tighten), AU12_smirk (unilateral lip corner puller), and AU43 (eye closure). Self-protection was combined using the occurrence of AUs 1 and 4 and AU12_smirk. Moreover, the findings support the significance of discerning self-compassion and self-protection as two different concepts.

Percepções de familiares sobre uma rede de cuidados de saúde mental infantojuvenil / Family perceptions about a children's mental health network / Percepciones familiares sobre una red de atención de salud mental infantojuvenil

Este artigo pretende conhecer como a rede de cuidados em saúde tem se operacionalizado a partir da percepção de familiares de crianças com demanda de cuidado em saúde mental (SM). Foram realizados dois grupos focais, um com familiares da Atenção Básica (AB) e outro com familiares do Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Infantojuvenil (CAPSij), totalizando 15 participantes. Seguiu-se com a análise lexical do tipo classificação hierárquica descendente, com o auxílio do software R Interface, a fim de análises multidimensionais de textos e questionários (IRaMuTeQ), resultando em cinco classes: A Pílula Mágica; Forças e Fraquezas dos serviços; Procurando por ajuda; Aceitando o diagnóstico da criança e Onde procurei ajuda. Os resultados apontam para dificuldades presentes na AB em identificar e manejar situações de Saúde Mental Infantojuvenil (SMIJ), por meio de uma lógica ainda medicalizante. Ressalta-se que a escola é apresentada como lugar de destaque na produção da demanda por cuidado e a família ainda é pouco convocada à construção das ações. Conclui-se, então, que avanços ainda são necessários para operacionalização de um cuidado pautado nas diretrizes da política de SMIJ.(AU)

This article aims to know how the healthcare network has been operationalized from the perception of family members of children with demand for mental health care (MH). Two focus groups were held, one with family members from Primary Care (PC) and the other with family members from the Child Psychosocial Care Center (CAPSij), totaling 15 participants. A lexical analysis of the descending hierarchical classification type was performed with the help of the software R Interface for multidimensional analyzes of texts and questionnaires (IRAMUTEQ), resulting in five classes: The Magic Pill; Strengths and Weaknesses of services; Looking for help; Accepting the child's diagnosis; and Where did I look for help. The results point to difficulties present in PC in identifying and managing situations of mental health in children and adolescents (MHCA), with a medicalization logic. Note that the school is presented as a prominent place in producing the demand for care, and the family is still not very much involved in the actions. It is, thus, concluded that advances are still needed for operationalization of care guided by MHCA policy guidelines.(AU)

Este artículo tuvo por objetivo conocer cómo opera una red asistencial a partir de la percepción de familiares de niños con demanda de atención en salud mental (SM). Se realizaron dos grupos focales, uno con familiares de Atención Primaria (AP) y otro con familiares del Centro de Atención Psicosocial Infantojuvenil (CAPSij), totalizando 15 participantes. Se realizó análisis léxico del tipo clasificación jerárquica descendente con la ayuda del software Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires (IRAMUTEQ), lo que resultó en cinco clases: "La píldora mágica"; "Fortalezas y debilidades de los servicios"; "En busca de ayuda"; "Aceptar el diagnóstico del niño" y "¿Dónde busqué ayuda?". Los resultados apuntan las dificultades presentes en AP para identificar y manejar situaciones de salud mental infantojuvenil (SMIJ) mediante una lógica aún medicalizante. La escuela tiene un lugar destacado en la producción de la demanda de cuidados y la familia aún no está muy involucrada en la construcción de acciones. Se concluye que se necesitan avances para ofertar una atención guiada por lineamientos de la política del SMIJ.(AU)

Abordagem de narrativas como método de pesquisa em saúde pública: aproximações conceituais e contribuições da psicanálise / Narrative research in public health: conceptual approximations and contributions from psychoanalysis / Enfoque en narrativas como método de investigación en salud pública: aproximaciones conceptuales y aportaciones del psicoanálisis

Este artigo refere-se à parte de uma pesquisa de doutorado, realizada em hospital de alta complexidade do Sistema Único de Saúde, cujos participantes são os profissionais de saúde. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar o potencial da abordagem das narrativas como método de pesquisa e intervenção nos serviços de saúde, traçando aproximações com a teoria psicanalítica. Sua relevância no campo da Saúde Pública está calcada no reconhecimento do papel do sujeito como agente de mudanças. O texto divide-se em duas partes: na primeira, explora as especificidades do trabalho na área da saúde, o paradigma da saúde pública no que concerne à gestão e possíveis contribuições da clínica ampliada para esse modelo. Na segunda parte, analisa o uso das narrativas como método de pesquisa nesse campo e as aproximações conceituais entre a narrativa em Walter Benjamin e a psicanálise em Freud. Busca na literatura referências sobre experiências análogas que fundamentem a proposta ora realizada e conclui pela importância de, no momento atual, apostar na força germinativa das narrativas como fonte criativa de novas formas de cuidar.(AU)

This article derives from a PhD research conducted with health professionals at a high-complexity public hospital from the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). It analyzes the potential of the narrative as a research and intervention method in health services, outlining approximations with psychoanalysis. In the field of Public Health, the narrative approach acknowledges the individual as an agent of change. The text is divided into two parts. The first presents an overview of the peculiarities involved in healthcare, the Public Health paradigm regarding service management and possible contributions from the expanded clinic to this model. The second analyzes the use of narratives as a research method in this field and the conceptual approximations between Benjamin's narrative and Freud's psychoanalysis. It searches the literature for references on similar experiences to support the present proposal and concludes by highlighting the importance of betting on the creative power of narratives as a source for new ways to care.(AU)

Este artículo es parte de una investigación doctoral, realizada con los profesionales de la salud de un hospital de alta complejidad del Sistema Único de Salud de Brasil. Su propósito es analizar el potencial del enfoque en narrativas como método de investigación e intervención en los servicios de salud, esbozando aproximaciones entre las narrativas y la teoría del psicoanálisis. Su relevancia en el campo de la salud pública se basa en el reconocimiento del rol del sujeto como agente de cambio. El texto se divide en dos partes: La primera investiga las especificidades del trabajo en el área de la salud, el paradigma de la salud pública en la gestión de los servicios y las posibles contribuciones de la clínica ampliada a este modelo. En la segunda parte, analiza el uso de narrativas como método de investigación en este campo y las aproximaciones conceptuales entre la narrativa de Walter Benjamin y el psicoanálisis de Freud. Este estudio busca en la literatura referencias sobre experiencias similares que apoyen la propuesta ahora realizada y concluye con la importancia de, en el momento actual, apostar por el poder de las narrativas como fuente creadora de nuevas formas de cuidar.(AU)

Tiros na escola: algumas referências para a psicologia na assistência à comunidade escolar / School shotting: some references for psychology in school comunity support / Tíros em la escuela: algunas referencias para la psicología em la asistencia à comunidad escolar

A atuação em situações de emergências e desastres apresentam-se como um dos grandes desafios na atuação dos profissionais da Psicologia, demandando intervenções singulares, desde o primeiro contato com as vítimas e o com entorno afetado pelo ocorrido, passando pelo trabalho interdisciplinar e interinstitucional junto aos órgãos públicos de segurança, justiça, assistência e saúde. O presente artigo tem como objetivo apresentar, por meio da experiência na assistência às vítimas na Escola Estadual Raul Brasil, as particularidades e adversidades enfrentadas durante o primeiro semestre de intervenções emergenciais que antecederam a contratação de psicólogos por parte do poder público municipal para continuidade das ações. Por meio de relatos de experiência em intervenções psicológicas, obtidos em diferentes instituições para a assistência às vítimas, este trabalho também visa apresentar alternativas que possam servir de referências para a intervenção do psicólogo e da psicóloga em situações de emergências e desastres, especialmente ocorridas na comunidade escolar. Observou-se que a realização do trabalho interdisciplinar e interinstitucional somado à participação da direção da escola no planejamento das ações e a realização de plantões psicológicos e rodas de conversa junto à comunidade escolar foram fundamentais para a assistência às vítimas do ocorrido.(AU)

Timely response to emergency and disaster situations is a major challenge for Psychology professionals and require particular interventions, from initial contact with the victims and the affected environment to interdisciplinary and interinstitutional collaboration with public security, justice, assistance and health agencies. Based on the experience of providing assistance to the victims of the State School Raul Brasil, this paper presents the adversities and specificities faced during the first semester of emergency interventions implemented before psychologists were hired by municipal officials for the continuity of care. By analyzing experience reports on psychological interventions obtained from different institutions for victim assistance, this paper proposes alternatives to be used as reference for psychological intervention in emergency and disaster situations, especially those experienced by the school community. Interdisciplinary and interinstitutional collaboration with the school board for planning actions and offering psychological services and conversation circles for the school community was fundamental to assist the victims.(AU)

La actuación en situaciones de emergencias es uno de los grandes desafíos a los profesionales de la psicología, pues demanda intervenciones singulares desde el primer contacto con las víctimas y con el contexto afectado por lo ocurrido, pasando por la interdisciplinaridad e interinstitucionalidad junto a los organismos públicos de seguridad, justicia, asistencia y salud. Este artículo tiene como objetivo presentar, por medio de la experiencia de la asistencia a las víctimas del colegio estadual Raul Brasil (en São Paulo, Brasil), las particularidades y adversidades enfrentadas durante el primer semestre de las intervenciones de emergencia que antecedieron la contratación de psicólogos por parte del municipio para continuidad de las acciones. Por medio de reportes de experiencia en intervenciones psicológicas, obtenidos en diferentes instituciones para la asistencia a las víctimas, este estudio también pretende presentar alternativas que puedan servir de referencia en la intervención de psicólogos y psicólogas en situaciones de emergencia y desastres, especialmente ocurridas en la comunidad escolar. Se verificó que la realización del trabajo interdisciplinar e interinstitucional, la participación de la dirección del colegio en la implementación de acciones y la realización de guardias psicológicas y círculos de conversación con la comunidad escolar fueron fundamentales para una asistencia a las víctimas.(AU)

Qualitative Analysis of Chair Tasks in Emotion-Focused Therapy Video Sessions.

One of the key elements of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) is decreasing self-criticism as a secondary, maladaptive emotion within two-chair interventions while simultaneously increasing self-compassion and self-protection as primary, adaptive emotions. Though the concepts of self-compassion, self-protection, and self-criticism are highly acknowledged within psychotherapy research, the verbal articulation of these constructs within therapy sessions is underinvestigated. Thus, this qualitative study aims to examine how self-criticism, self-protection, and self-compassion are articulated by clients in EFT video sessions. Consensual qualitative research was used for data analysis performed by two core team members and one auditor. Three similar domains were considered for all three concepts: behavioural, emotional, and cognitive aspects. The number of self-protection statements was the highest among the states. The behavioural aspect was the most dominant domain for self-protection with the major subdomain 'I tell you what I need'. For self-compassion, the cognitive aspect was the most significant domain containing eight subdomains, such as 'I see your bad circumstances'. The most frequent domain for self-criticism was the behavioural aspect consisting of the two subdomains 'I point out your wrong behaviours and I give you instructions'. The findings demonstrate the significance of promoting both self-compassion and self-protection to combat self-criticism. More studies of categorising a broader number of cases among various therapy approaches are necessary to develop a more detailed understanding of clients' verbalisation of self-compassion, self-protection, and self-criticism within therapy.

Efficacy of Emotionally Focused Therapy among Spanish-speaking couples: study protocol of a randomized clinical trial in Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, and Spain.

BACKGROUND: Couple relationship distress is common and associated with poor physical, psychological, and relational outcomes for both partners. Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples (EFT) is a short-term structured approach based on attachment theory that integrates a humanistic, experiential approach to restructuring emotional experience and a systemic structural approach to restructuring interactions. This model has been shown to be an effective treatment for couple distress. The supporting research, however, has only been conducted with English-speaking couples. Despite Spanish being the second-most spoken language and meaningful cultural differences between English- and Spanish-speaking countries, the efficacy of EFT has not been examined in this cultural context. This study will examine the efficacy of EFT in this particular context and advance the understanding of potential mechanisms of change. METHODS: We will use a multicenter randomized wait-list controlled design to examine the efficacy of EFT in a Spanish-speaking sample of moderately distressed couples. One hundred forty individuals in 70 couples in Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, and Spain will be randomly assigned to receive 19-21 sessions of EFT or be placed on a waitlist. Outcomes on a range of relational and individual mental health variables will be assessed prior to random assignment, throughout treatment, and at the conclusion of treatment. Primary outcomes will include dyadic adjustment, couple satisfaction, and attachment. Secondary variables, such as loneliness, parenting, affective communication, and sexual satisfaction, will be included as potential mediators of the treatment effect. Couples in the treatment group will also be assessed at 3-, 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month follow-ups. Process variables such as the therapeutic alliance will also be assessed routinely in couples assigned to the treatment group. Couples in the waitlist will receive a psycho-educational program based on EFT after completing the study. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first RCT of Emotionally Focused Therapy in a Spanish-speaking context. The results of the study will inform researchers interested in whether treatments developed and tested in the USA and Canada can be effective in differing cultural contexts. It may also point researchers and clinicians to areas where cultural adaptation is needed to improve efficacy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04277325. Registered on February 20, 2020.

Emotionally focused therapists' experiences serving interabled couples in couple therapy: An interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Interabled couples navigate various systems of care as they respond to the needs of the disabled partner. Interabled couples are defined as one disabled partner and one nondisabled partner. Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) has shown benefits in reducing relationship distress and increasing the experience of security within couples. The study used interpretative phenomenological analysis to address how EFT therapists make sense of their lived experience working with interabled couples in couple therapy. The purpose of the study was to examine the experiences of therapists' serving interabled couples. The study explored the experiences of 10 EFT therapists who served at least one interabled couple in couple therapy. Findings resulted in four superordinate themes, (a) ableism; (b) self-of-the-therapist; (c) reported relationship dynamics of interabled couples; and (d) the "fit" of EFT approach with interabled couples. The themes demonstrate a need to further identify disability-responsive practices within EFT in serving interabled couples.

A qualitative meta-analysis of the clients' experiences of emotion-focused therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Client experience of psychotherapy is an important resource for our understanding of psychotherapy and deserves relevant attention in psychotherapy research. Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) is a relatively new adaptation of a humanistic therapy that has a tradition of giving a voice to the clients in therapy. Despite the number of qualitative studies looking at the experience of clients in EFT, there was no formal qualitative meta-analysis conducted synthesizing the existing qualitative research on the clients' experience of EFT. METHOD: A sample of 11 primary qualitative studies was selected through a systematic search of the literature. Primary studies were critically appraised, and data (findings) from them extracted and meta-analysed. RESULTS: All 11 studies featured experiences of helpful aspects of therapy, with difficult but helpful aspects reported in seven studies and unhelpful aspects reported in six studies. Most studies reported chair and experiential work and intense emotional work in EFT as helpful, with fewer reports and fewer clients finding them difficult but helpful or unhelpful. The multidimensional nature of the therapist and therapeutic relationship in EFT included emotional connection and support, validation and understanding and was commonly experienced as helpful to clients. Other client experiences reported included practical aspects of EFT such as session length, in-session outcomes such as clients' transformative experiences, and internal and external factors which were experienced by clients such as determination or reluctance to commit to therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Most clients experience EFT as an intense, challenging, but productive psychotherapy, but it appears a minority of clients experience aspects of EFT as challenging.

Terapia Focada na Compaixão para pessoas com obesidade: um estudo de viabilidade / Compassion Focused Therapy for people with obesity: a feasibility study

A epidemia mundial de obesidade nas últimas décadas, as previsões pessimistas dessa tendência e o insucesso dos programas de emagrecimento tornam necessárias pesquisas de intervenções que possam reverter esse quadro. Nesse contexto surge a Terapia Focada na Compaixão (TFC) como uma proposta integradora que, no caso da obsidade, visa melhorar a relação com o corpo e com a alimentação, além de outros benefícios. Ela é uma abordagem de tratamento transdiagnóstico que visa consolidar a autocompaixão e reduzir o sentimento de vergonha. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a viabilidade do programa de TFC para pessoas com obesidade com a intenção de planejar um futuro ensaio clínico randomizado. O programa foi realizado com 12 participantes oriundos de uma lista de um programa de emagrecimento. A análise de viabilidade consistiu na criação e verificação de 10 categorias, por exemplo, recrutamento, adesão, assimilação de conteúdos e prática, entre outros. Após a intervenção, verificou-se a necessidade de modificação e adequação de uma categoria. Além de benefícios em relação à saúde mental e alguma perda de peso, a intervenção apresentou ampla aceitação por parte dos participantes, terapeuta e supervisora, demonstrando sua viabilidade para posterior condução do ensaio clínico randomizado que visa avaliar a eficácia da intervenção.(AU)

The global obesity epidemic in recent decades, the pessimistic forecasts of this trend and the failure of weight loss programs make it necessary researches of interventions that can reverse this picture. In this context, Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) emerges as an integrative proposal that, in the caso obesity, aims improve the relationship with the body and with food. It is a transdiagnostic treatment approach that aims to consolidate self-compassion and reduce the feeling of shame. The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility of the CFT program for people with obesity with the intention of planning a future randomized clinical trial. The program was carried out with 12 participants from a list of a weight loss program. The feasibility analysis consisted of creating and verifying 10 categories, for example, recruitment, adherence, assimilation of content and practice, among others. After the intervention, the need for modification and adequacy of a category was verified. In addition to benefits in relation to mental health and some weight loss, the intervention was widely accepted by the participants, therapist and supervisor, demonstrating its feasibility for further conducting the randomized clinical trial that aims to assess the effectiveness of the intervention.(AU)

La epidemia mundial de obesidad en las últimas décadas, las predicciones pesimistas de esa tendencia y el fracaso de los programas de adelgazamiento hacen necesarias investigaciones de intervenciones que puedan revertir este cuadro. En este contexto, la Terapia Centrada en la Compassion (TCC) surge como una propuesta integradora que, em el caso de la obesidade, tiene como objetivo mejorar la relación con el cuerpo y con la comida, entre otros beneficios. Es un enfoque de tratamiento transdiagnóstico que tiene como objetivo consolidar la autocompasión y reducir el sentimiento de vergüenza. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la viabilidad del programa TCC para personas con obesidad con la intención de planificar un futuro ensayo clínico aleatorizado. El programa se llevó a cabo con 12 participantes de una lista de un programa de adelgazamiento. El análisis de factibilidad consistió en crear y verificar 10 categorías, por ejemplo, reclutamiento, adherencia, asimilación de contenido y práctica, entre otras. Después de la intervención, se verificó la necesidad de modificación y adecuación de una categoría. Además de los beneficios en relación con la salud mental y cierta pérdida de peso, la intervención fue ampliamente aceptada por los participantes, el terapeuta y el supervisor, lo que demostró su viabilidad para seguir llevando a cabo el ensayo clínico aleatorizado que tiene como objetivo evaluar la efectividad de la intervención.(AU)

Thematic analysis of therapists' experiences integrating EMDR and EFT in couple therapy: Theoretical and clinical complementarity, and benefits to client couples.

In this article, we present partial findings from a thematic analysis study that examined integrating emotionally focused therapy (EFT) and eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) as clinical frameworks in couple therapy. The purpose of the study is to better understand how therapists integrate EFT and EMDR therapy in their clinical work. Thirteen licensed therapists (n = 13) trained in EFT and EMDR were interviewed about their experiences integrating these two models in their couple therapy practice. The findings included in this article are related to how these models complement each other as well as the clinical benefits associated with their integration. Findings provide preliminary evidence that there are benefits and challenges when integrating both models, although we emphasize complementarity in this article. Limitations and implications for future research on the integration and efficacy of these two models are also discussed.

Effects of adding video feedback to emotionally focused therapy supervision: A concurrent multiple-baseline across subjects design.

Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is an empirically supported intervention for relationship distress with an established model of supervision. This study examined whether incorporating video feedback (VF) software into EFT supervision would improve therapists' level of development compared to traditional EFT supervision in a university training clinic. A concurrent multiple-baseline across subjects design, along with a thematic analysis of qualitative data, were used in this proof-of-concept study of the new supervision component. Overall, quantitative findings suggested that using VF in EFT supervision resulted in some improvement to therapists' development, while qualitative findings showed that all participants supported the incorporation of VF into EFT supervision. Future research on VF is needed to provide additional insight into the use of video review supervision.

Case formulation in emotion-focused therapy.

Case formulation in emotion-focused therapy aids therapists to both conceptualize core emotion schemes and follow markers across therapy that signify tasks aimed at emotional transformation. The case formulation process will be illustrated in the successful case of Jina, a woman with a history of childhood emotional abuse who sought therapy for depression. The three stages of case formulation are co-constructed between client and therapist. In stage one, the therapist assesses her initial emotion processing style and listens as the emotion-based narrative unfolds. In stage two, the core emotion scheme and formulation narrative organize around feelings of shame of inferiority and attachment-related feelings of being rejected and unloved. Attendant secondary emotions of powerlessness, and unmet needs for validation emerge. Stage three evolves as the therapist follows process markers, prompting chair work for both unfinished business and self-criticism, ultimately helping Jina access adaptive sadness and newly experienced self-compassion.

A comparison of emotion-focused therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: Results of a feasibility randomized controlled trial.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a chronic mental health difficulty typically present in primary care settings. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the psychological intervention with the best evidence for its efficacy for GAD. The development of other psychological interventions can increase client choice. This feasibility trial examined an initial assessment of the efficacy of EFT in comparison to CBT in the treatment of GAD in the context of an Irish public health service. The trial provided information on recruitment, therapist training/adherence, and client retention relevant for a potential noninferiority trial. A randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy of EFT versus CBT for GAD. Both therapies were offered in a 16-20 sessions format. Therapists (n = 8) were trained in both conditions and offered both therapies. Clients were randomly assigned to the two therapies EFT (n = 29) and CBT (n = 29). Outcomes were assessed using several measures, with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) being the primary outcome. Clients were assessed at baseline, week 16, end of therapy, and at 6-month follow-up. Therapists were able to learn the two models after a short training and showed moderate levels of adherence. Although not statistically significant, the drop out from treatment was 10% for EFT and 27% for CBT. The two therapies showed large pre-post change and similar outcomes across all measures, with these benefits retained at 6-month follow-up. Results suggest that EFT is a potentially promising treatment for GAD. Further investigation is indicated to establish its potential to expand the available psychological therapies for GAD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Understanding the emotional landscape in the withdrawer re-engagement and blamer softening EFCT change events.

The heart of change in emotionally focused couple therapy (EFCT) involves accessing key emotions and using them to redefine the self and create new relational responses. Two EFCT change events, withdrawer re-engagement and blamer softening, represent the emotion and relationship restructuring process with couples who are stuck in blame-withdraw interactions. These change events involve facilitating greater accessibility, responsiveness, and emotional engagement between more avoidant and anxious partners. This study tracked in-session emotional states and sequences in each of these change events. Findings highlight the importance of primary and softer emotional expressions. Specific emotional states characterize the two EFCT change events with adaptive grief/hurt being unique to withdrawer re-engagement and rejecting anger distinguishing blamer softening. Sequential patterns of emotional states were identified particularly for withdrawer re-engagement where grief/hurt was followed by acceptance and agency. Clinical implications consider the role of emotional transformation and emotional expansion in the EFCT change process.