Research Paper Draft – Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) was originally established in the earlier 1980s by Susan Johnson and Les Greenberg (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2013; Johnson, Hunsley, Greengerg, & Schindler, 1999). Prior forms of therapy exclusively focused on a couple’s behavioral or cognitive problems while emotional experiences were seen as irrelevant (Johnson & Wittenborn, 2012). Additional theories also lacked empirical data about adult love and relationships, thus there was not a form of therapy that adequately dealt with these situations (Johnson et al., 1999). Johnson and Greenberg strived to overcome these therapeutic deficiencies when they designed EFCT. This paper offers a literature …show more content…
The AIRM contains three stages (dubbed “phases”) that encompass eight steps instead of nine. Phase one is to de-escalate negative emotions and situations when feelings are first discussed. Superficial thoughts are examined and explored to help a couple better understand each other’s offenses (Zuccarini et al., 2013). New emotions are introduced in phase two as the couple gains new understandings of their negative emotions. Couples discuss personal regrets and take responsibility for their actions (Zuccarini et al., 2013). Phase three is when a couple learns to forgive and reconcile as they become more comfortable in their relationship (Zuccarini et al., …show more content…
Most of said studies lack cultural diversity. Greenman & Johnson (2013) believe that research lacks data on the effectiveness of EFCT with couples from backgrounds other than white, middle class heterosexuals. The absence of research diversity places EFCT in a questionable light that future research studies need to address. It is possible that EFCT may not apply to other cultural backgrounds, specifically those who do not maintain an egalitarian mindset. Furthermore, EFCT is not effective with couples in abusive relationships (Johnson & Wittenborn, 2012). An abusive relationship would most likely deter a couple-therapist alliance because the therapist would become one-sided to resolve the abuse towards one individual in the