Emotion-Focused Therapy (Theories of Psychotherapy Series®)

My first criticism is that the author claims that "There has been extensive research on the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy (EFT) and its various therapeutic components". This may well be but the majority of the studies cited do not mention sample sizes. Of those that do, the largest sample size is 74. The more frequent sample sizes are in the mid-thirties and one as low as 4. This is pretty thin and is a formula for bias. Many studies of CBT and related cognitive therapies have much more valid sample sizes-at least 150.My second criticism of the book is that it seems to suggest that previous therapeutic approaches have neglected emotions and the the therapist-client relationship and that EFT corrects that drift. If so this would be a mistake. The therapeutic relationship and the healthy processing of emotions are components of most of the disciplines that have proven to be effective, especially CBT.My third criticism is that, in my opinion, EFT introduces a layer of complexity that, based on the quality of research presented in it's support in the book, does not justify its incorporation into the mainstream.A final note is that I found the language to be unnecessarily complex and difficult to follow.I am always looking for new approaches and ideas to become better at what I do, but, for me, EFT, as presented in this work, doesn't add much value.

This book providers a thorough and effective overview of the EFT model developed by Dr. Greenburg. I found this to be a challenging read, often re-reading to ensure I absorbed the concept being presented. The book is not long, but will require a significant time commitment to grasp the information being presented. If you are interested in learning EFT and are a committed reader, I recommend this book as a precursor to an in-person training.

Great book, clearly written, more organized / less of 'cowboy' than Fritz Perls (Gestalt Therapy). As a left handed, right brain, musician who is clearly a non-linear thinker, I particularly enjoyed the discussion of the importance of non-linear implicit aspects of psychology. However, as a therapist with a background in psychodynamic psychology, I found it hard to believe there is not a "self" in the way cognitive and dynamic theorist describe. Les Greenberg discusses how people develop emotional schemes and other schemas, but believes our experience of the self arises from the interaction between emotional schemes and implicit narratives created by past experiences. He seems to imply we do not have a set of self-schemas, but rather our self-concept is re-created over and over and over each time certain emotions and narratives are elicited from external stimuli. However, this notion seems to me logically challenged the the mere fact we can self-reflect, and reflect on past self-reflecting we have done: if I can recall me self-image from yesterday, then I have a memory of self-images and self-narratives that do in fact create a self-schemas independent, but in constant interaction with, emotional-schemas, other schemas, and narratives. I've found the most effective approach with many of my patients is understanding various self-schemas, particularly how split or incongruent ones clash, and work through those clashes toward integration using Emotion-Focused (or experiential/Gestalt) approaches to therapy. Consequently, I do not think the existence of self precludes the remainder of the theory behind EFT, but rather the integration of the two is most effective. In fact, Fritz Perls main focus was integrating splits in the self, part of which was usually projected and thereby prohibiting the individual from being a whole / holon / completing a Gestalt. The person would be left in an impasse. Thus the self and emotional experience seem to go hand in hand to me.

The text is, at times, complex and dense. As is the subject matter. The base premises are re-distillations of Jung, Adler, and Plato, and a worthy contribution to that thread, at an abstract level. At the pragmatic level, some key items are left undervalued, like the processes of initiating the two or empty-chair dialogue. Excellent summary of the cause, effect, and differentiation of emotion as both a symptom based responding organic process, and a dynamic experience of meaning.

Excellent book. Brilliant summary by the author of the therapy itself. APA publishings of these books are always quite excellent. I got a great base understanding from this book of EFT and that is the therapy style I am going to pursue. I had to make a presentation on EFT in one of my grad classes and my teacher, after seeing the book, decided to buy as copy as well.

Very helpful book for learning the principles of EFT, would recommend to anyone trying to work on these skills

Greenberg presents a competent description of conventional emotion theory and an experienced description of how to coach clients to become more emotionally intelligent.

I began using the teachings and insights from the first few pages and experienced significant advancements with my clients. MUST read!John Sternfels, LPC, NCC, CSAT

Just what I required. .an excellent overview of an area I'm currently training in to add to my Person-Centred Training. Gives good understanding of a fairly complex but most effective way of working in therapy.

This is the best book that my classmates and I have come across for explaining EFT to us when we were brand new to it. I highly recommend it to anyone who is curious about EFT or who is looking for a quick and easy-to-read reference guide to brush up on their knowledge. Supplement this book with other Leslie S. Greenberg, as well as Sandra C. Paivio and Antonio Pascual-Leone books.

I got where I needed to get to. But the book is so full of run-on sentences that I had to read it over several times.

I agree absolutely with the goals and the practice of this therapy.Budhism becomes therapy in western countries.The intentionality of consciousness is the key to understand and heal suffering.

A great book and summary of Emotion Focused Therapy and Greenberg's work!!