Adapting Emotion Focused Therapies for Online Delivery

Abstract

Both Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) maintain that therapeutic change is transformational rather than coping-based, and that a sustained focus on a client's emotions forms the pathway to change (Greenberg, 2010; Lafrance et al., 2020). Contrary to approaches that rely on strategies assigned as homework or other between-session processes, emotion focused approaches emphasize within-session experiences facilitated through the systematic processing of emotion (Greenberg, 2010; Greenberg & Warwar, 2006). EFT facilitates emotion transformation in individuals and couples, whereas EFFT extends Greenberg's model of EFT to caregivers of individuals with mental health difficulties throughout the lifespan. Parents and other caregivers are supported to overcome their emotional blocks (e.g., fear, shame) and strengthen their inherent caregiver self-efficacy (Foroughe et al., 2019; Greenberg, 2010; Lafrance et al., 2020). Recently, an adaptation of EFT for youth 11–18 has also been developed (Foroughe et al., in preparation). Considering the importance placed on in-session processes and experiential change in these approaches, it is crucial that core therapeutic tasks and exercises are properly adapted for online delivery. This chapter outlines how emotion focused approaches, including chair work and other experiential exercises, are optimized for an online video-conferencing format for youth, adults, and families.