Real Challenges of Emotion-Focused Therapy? Psychologists Reveal Psychotherapy's On-Site Difficulties and Growth
Image related to Real Challenges of Emotion-Focused Therapy? Psychologists Reveal Psychotherapy's On-Site Difficulties and Growth
## EFT Therapy Introduction Today let's discuss the super famous Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) in psychological counseling. EFT is like a magical key—many studies prove its effectiveness treating depression, anxiety, complex trauma, etc.
Real Challenges of Emotion-Focused Therapy? Psychologists Reveal Psychotherapy's On-Site Difficulties and Growth
EFT Therapy Introduction
Today let's discuss the super famous Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) in psychological counseling. EFT is like a magical key—many studies prove its effectiveness treating depression, anxiety, complex trauma, etc.
Its core principle is helping patients experience, express, and transform negative emotions, improving psychological states. But like no universal key exists, EFT doesn't work perfectly for all patients.
Research Background and Methods
To understand EFT's practical challenges, researchers interviewed 14 Norwegian EFT therapists. These therapists received three years' professional training plus at least 50 hours' supervision experience.
Using reflective thematic analysis, researchers summarized five major themes and twenty sub-themes, revealing therapists' real-world difficulties.
Five Major Treatment Challenges
1. Therapeutic Relationship Difficulties
Therapist-patient relationships encounter various issues—patients overdependent on therapists, strongly controlling, rejecting empathy, etc. Sometimes therapist-patient connections "break," potentially causing treatment dropout.2. Patient Emotional Issues
Some patients' emotions are too intense—therapists worry guiding emotional confrontation worsens situations. Others' emotions are too weak—hard to mobilize. Some patients can't take emotional responsibility.3. Therapy-Patient Mismatch
Like climbing mountains wearing slippers—some patients want different treatments than EFT provides. Therapists sometimes lack clear direction or struggle with dangerous-symptom patients.4. Therapists' Own Confusion
Many therapists find EFT difficult to learn—encountering complex cases makes them doubt their EFT proficiency. Some lack support and sufficient supervision during learning.5. External Factor Influences
Patients' life circumstances—financial difficulties, bereavement, illness—also affect treatment progress.Coping Strategy Analysis
Seeking Supervision Help
Therapists seek supervision when encountering difficulties—like finding light in darkness, obtaining professional advice and guidance.Referring to Other Treatments
For severe personality disorder patients, therapists may recommend more suitable alternative treatments.Adjusting Application Methods
For patients unable to accept challenging treatments, therapists start with basic emotional processing, gradually guiding.Integrating Other Therapies
Some therapists integrate or directly switch to other therapies—like using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help patients regulate emotions.Advice for Therapists
Don't panic when facing challenges—communicate more with peers or seek supervision. Flexibly adjust methods based on patients' actual situations during treatment—don't be rigid.
Advice for Patients
Before treatment, fully communicate your situation and expectations with therapists. Cooperate actively during treatment, honestly reporting feelings and thoughts.
Advice for the Public
Understand psychotherapy's complexity and diversity—don't have unrealistic treatment expectations. Every patient is unique—treatment methods must suit specific circumstances. Respect different therapeutic approaches.
Summary and Outlook
EFT indeed faces many practical challenges, but these are therapists' growth opportunities. Hope future research improves EFT therapy, helping more people solve psychological problems.
