Learning Emotion-Focused Therapy

Updates a classic emotion-focused therapy reference with over 20 years of research and theory.

The first edition of this book became the standard reference and training work for a generation of emotion-focused therapy (EFT) practitioners. This second edition aims to inspire a new generation of emotion-focused therapists by offering fully updated coverage of EFT theory and practice, alongside the most exciting theoretical, practical, and organizational developments of the past 20 years.

Updates to this new edition include:

• New integrated models of emotional deepening and EFT case formulation,
• New questions and activities for self‑reflection,
• Deepened theoretical formulations of the nature and functions of emotions such as anger and shame,
• A comprehensive review of the existing research base in EFT, and
• A supplemental website with an editable sample syllabus to enhance teaching and training (see https://www.apa.org/pubs/books/learning-emotion-focused-therapy-second-edition).

In EFT, therapists cultivate a deeply empathic, caring presence. They follow their client’s lead while delivering gentle, flexible guidance. The goal is to facilitate a process of emotional deepening in clients as they progress from global distress to an acceptance of core pain, enabling them to emerge with a new perspective through useful, adaptive emotions.