A comprehensive meta-analysis on the efficacy of emotionally focused couple therapy.

Abstract

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT), as developed by Greenberg and Johnson (1988) and Johnson (1996Johnson ( , 2004Johnson ( , 2020, is an evidence-based treatment that works with a variety of presenting concerns (e.g., depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, sexual dissatisfaction) and treatment characteristics, with good maintenance of treatment gains up to 2 years following treatment. In this first comprehensive meta-analysis of EFT, we evaluated the entirety of efficacy outcome research including randomized controlled trial (RCT), quasi-experimental, and dissertation studies. Previous meta-analyses of EFT analyzed solely RCTs (Beasley & Ager, 2019), Johnson's model of EFT combined with Greenberg and Goldman's (2008) conceptually different model (Rathgeber et al., 2018), or EFT embedded and not disentangled from other models of couple therapy (Roddy et al., 2020). Across 20 studies and 332 couples, we found medium to large random effects weighted ds for (a) pretest-posttest, d = .93, 95% CI [.75, 1.12], (b) EFT versus viable alternative couple interventions, d = .44, 95% CI [.03, .85], and (c) pretest to follow-up, d = .86, 95% CI [.56, 1.15]. Comprehensive sensitivity and moderator analyses were conducted. This meta-analysis provides support for EFT as an evidencebased couple therapy approach, where 70% of couples will be symptom free at the end of treatment and greater therapist fidelity to the model is associated with stronger couple gains. Limitations and implications are discussed in relation to research, training, and practice of EFT.This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.

Therapeutic frameworks in integration sessions in substance‐assisted psychotherapy: A systematised review

“…It emphasises that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential in facilitating the ongoing therapeutic process (Greenberg & Johnson, 1988). In a meta-analysis of 20 studies detailing the efficacy of EFT, Spengler et al (2022) found that EFT was an effective, evidence-based treatment for presenting concerns such as depression, sexual dissatisfaction and PTSD. This does not provide a specific modality that therapists are required to follow during integration sessions; however, the author suggests that the therapist should not be married to any one theory (Wolfson, 2022).…”

The use of emotionally focused therapy with polyamorous relationships

“…EFT (Johnson, 2019; Johnson & Greenberg, 1985b) is an empirically supported treatment for relationship distress (Spengler et al, 2022). EFT posits distress results from iterative restrictive emotional responses which reinforce patterns of disconnection (Johnson, 2019).…”

“…EFT is a strong model for working with polyamorous relationships for several reasons. Primarily, EFT has a strong research base (Beasley & Ager, 2019; Spengler et al, 2022) and the dedication of EFT practitioners to conceptualizing multicultural work within the model (e.g., Allan et al, 2022; Guillory, 2021; Nightingale et al, 2019; Soleimani et al, 2015; Tseng, 2022) signifies the application of the model across contexts and cultures. In addition, the non‐pathologizing nature of EFT, its roots in systems theory and attachment theory provide a secure base for treating polycules.…”

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

“…A meta‐analysis of 20 studies of EFT with 332 couples found medium to large treatment effects for relationship distress from pretest to posttest and pretest to follow‐up (Spengler et al, 2022). It also found medium to large treatment effects for EFT versus alternative couple interventions.…”