overview CHAPTERs
Elliott 2012, Emotion-Focused Therapy. In Sanders (ed), Tribes of the Person Centered Nation.
This is a chapter length overview of the history, theory and basic techniques of EFT.
Woldarsky Meneses 2019, Emotion-Focused Therapy For Couples, In Greenberg & Goldman (Eds.), Clinical Handbook of Emotion-Focused Therapy.
A recent chapter length overview of Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy.
Recommended Key Texts
Individual Therapy
Elliott R. & Greenberg, L.S. (2021). Emotion-Focused Counselling in Action. Sage Publications
This is a highly accessible introductory text. An engaging and concise introduction to the therapy.
Elliott, R., Watson, J.C., Goldman, R., & Greenberg, L.S. (2003). Learning Emotion-Focused Therapy: The Process-Experiential Approach to Change. Washington: APA Books.
This is a comprehensive overview of the individual therapy. It is a detailed and thorough overview of the main theory and techniques.
Greenberg, L.S. (2021). Changing Emotion with Emotion: A Practioners Guide. Washington: APA Books.
A wonderful overview of the essential principles of emotional change.
Couples Therapy
Greenberg, L.S., & Goldman, R.N. (2008). Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy: The Dynamics of Emotion, Love, and Power. American Psychological Association.
This is the central text for our couples therapy trainings. It is an advanced text, and builds on the theory and therapy of the two other texts below adding recent developments. The below texts are a little bit more suited to a beginner, while this text includes updates to theory and practice, such as how to work with dominance and submission dynamics.
Johnson, S.M. (2019). The Practice of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: Creating Connection. Routledge.
Sue Johnson’s main text of EFT, where she elaborates on her integration of attachment theory to the therapy process. A great text for beginners.
Greenberg, L.S. & Johnson, S.M. (1988). Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples. Guilford Publications.
The original text on EFT with couples. It remains an excellent place to start. It’s accessible and has plenty of good case studies and therapy excerpts. It presents the central essence of the approach in an engaging and digestible manner. For couples therapy, start here.
