This innovative clinician’s guide shows how emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is ideally suited to target core elements of recovery from common impacts of chronic, cumulative, or acute trauma. EFT pioneer Susan M. Johnson and her collaborator and leading EFT trainer T. Leanne Campbell provide a clear intervention framework and numerous vivid clinical examples illustrating their attachment-informed, experiential approach. Using dance—in particular, the Tango—as a metaphor for what happens in session, the book takes therapists move by move through the three stages of EFT with individuals or couples affected by the echoes of trauma. Chapters conclude with reflection questions, learning exercises, and recaps of key ideas, enhancing the volume’s practical utility.

“This fascinating, instructive, and emotionally moving book continues and consolidates Johnson’s impressive lifework, with Campbell adding her expertise as a long-time EFT practitioner and trainer. Here, the focus is systematically applying EFT with clients coping with and recovering from various kinds of trauma. The book draws on attachment theory and research as well as decades of clinical experience with individuals and couples. It is filled with clear conceptualizations, brilliant and engaging case studies, and point-by-point summaries for therapists.”

—Phillip R. Shaver, PhD, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis

About the Authors

Susan M. Johnson, EdD, until her death in 2024, was Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology at the University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Distinguished Research Professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Alliant International University in San Diego; and Director of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy. "Dr. Sue" was the pioneering innovator of emotionally focused therapy (EFT). She published widely, including acclaimed books for professionals, bestselling books for general readers, and numerous articles, book chapters, and teaching videos. Her seminal contributions to couple therapy have been recognized with the Family Psychologist of the Year Award from Division 43 of the American Psychological Association and the Outstanding Contribution to Marriage and Family Therapy Award from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. She was most proud of receiving the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honors.

T. Leanne Campbell, PhD, is cofounder and managing partner of Campbell & Fairweather Psychology group, a multisite clinical practice in British Columbia, Canada. She is a board member of the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) and an ICEEFT Certified Trainer, and serves as site coordinator for a large-scale study examining the efficacy of emotionally focused individual therapy (EFIT). Dr. Campbell is an international speaker, writer, trainer, and codeveloper of EFT-related educational programs and materials. She has coauthored several peer-reviewed articles and books on EFT, most notably the first basic EFIT text (with Susan M. Johnson), now translated into multiple languages.

Audience

Clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, counselors, and psychiatric nurses.