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“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


“Johnson always had the ability to articulate her work in a way that makes it highly understandable and impactful, which is evident in this book, among the last of her professional contributions. Johnson and Campbell clearly describe how to apply EFT to the treatment of traumatized individuals. Their experiential treatment model, based on attachment science, is founded on safety, security, and close attunement to the client. As treatment progresses, the client increases their ability to approach and process their trauma and its aftermath, resulting in openness to new experiences and a new lease on life. I highly recommend this book for its clarity of purpose and its grounding in evidence-based practice.”

—Christine A. Courtois, PhD, ABPP, private practice (retired), Washington, DC; consultant and trainer, trauma psychology and treatment, Lewes, Delaware


“Emotionally Focused Therapy for Trauma is a tour de force that weaves attachment science, Rogers's construct of empathy, and 35 years of EFT clinical practice into one clear, actionable roadmap for healing. Johnson and Campbell write with the rare clarity that lets both newcomers and seasoned clinicians picture themselves guiding clients through the ‘EFT Tango’ after a single reading. An indispensable, inspiring, and profoundly compassionate masterwork, the book includes vivid case vignettes, step-by-step interventions, and reflection exercises. This volume belongs in a prime spot on every clinical bookshelf, training syllabus, and faculty reading list.”

—Mario Mikulincer, PhD, Israel Center for Addiction and Mental Health and Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem


“Johnson and Campbell masterfully engage the promise of emotion to light a safe and secure path through the shadows of trauma. EFT is vividly captured in the clinical vignettes that invite you into pivotal moments in a client’s journey of self-growth and relational healing. The authors write with wisdom, compassion, and creativity. This book is an essential guide for clinicians charting the way from brokenness to belonging and becoming.”

—James Furrow, PhD, Couples and Family Therapy Program, Seattle University

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Table of Contents

Preface

1. Transforming Trauma Together with Emotionally Focused Therapy

2. Attachment Science as the Path to Healing

3. The Five EFT Macrointerventions

4. Key EFT Assumptions and Microinterventions

5. Assessment as a Guide through the Three Stages of EFIT Intervention

6. Finding Focus and Maintaining Momentum in Stage 1

7. Harnessing Connection to Dissolve Shame in Stage 2

8. Consolidation in Stage 3

9. Addressing Other Types of Trauma with EFIT

Appendix: Moving through the Three Stages of EFIT

References

Index

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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.

• Author's website
• All titles by Susan M. Johnson

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.

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Audience

EFT, EFIT, individuals, couples, family, experiential, psychotherapy, complex, chronic, posttraumatic stress disorder, developmental, PTSD, child sexual abuse, survivors, recovery, treating, treatments, working with, attachment theory, healing, intimate partner violence, military, first responders, tango, dance, Dr. Sue Johnson, therapists guides