I use a variety of perspectives and tools borrowed from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) when working with couples. 

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EFT, therapy started by Sue Johnson is a highly effective treatment for relationships that have been hurt by communication difficulties, reoccurring negative patterns, infidelity, etc.  This therapy primarily focuses on adult relationships as well as attachment and bonding.

EFT holds that changing problematic interpersonal relationships and emotional issues can happen using short-term therapy and emphasizes changing negative patterns and keeping connection and intimacy. EFT highlights the connection between emotions and needs, attachment and bonding. 

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 Marriage and Couples therapy based on ACT draws on certain principles. Perhaps the most encompassing is that of Psychological Flexibility.

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Psychological Flexibility refers to the ability to adapt to a life situation with an openness, awareness and focus – and to take effective action guided by your values – your heart’s deepest desires as to who you want to be, what is most important to you, what you want for yourself, and in your life. Psychological flexibility allows one to be more engaged, present and participate more fully in one’s life.

In a very real sense, couples therapy using ACT provides skills training which allows for greater awareness and choice in the moment.

 

Couples so easily can get swept along and pulled into patterns of connecting which can be very painful. They are often reactive and habitual. Sometimes even though the couple is aware that they are getting swept up into a familiar hurtful and unproductive cycle, it can be difficult to stop the process. Sometimes couples are not even aware that this is happening. With ACT, we work to create a willingness to be in the present moment, open-minded, in contact with our values and have a commitment toward values centered actions that will promote greater engagement, meaning and relationship satisfaction.

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