An Emotionally Focused Approach

Parts 1 & 2

Kathryn Rheem

Volatile, emotionally escalated clients can be among the most challenging cases couples therapists regularly work with. Such clients can often be set off by seemingly negligible events, making sessions difficult for both partners and their therapist. Typically, core issues of attachment distress are at the heart of these outbursts. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) offers a clear road map for working with such hard-to-treat couples by helping them access and share primary emotions. In this workshop, you’ll discover how to:

• Differentiate each partner’s emotions in order to contain reactive emotion and evoke vulnerabilities
• Recognize and assess each partner’s role in destructive patterns of interaction
• Restructure couples’ negative patterns and stay in process when they become emotionally activated
• Use voice, reflection, and validation to help partners share their deepest vulnerabilities

Continued with workshop 315

Kathryn Rheem, EdD, LMFT, is an ICEEFT certified trainer, supervisor, and therapist. She’s the director of the Washington Baltimore Center for EFT and conducts EFT trainings internationally.