Integrating EMDR and EFT in couple therapy

In this thematic analysis (TA) study, I explored how therapists who are dually trained in Emotionally focused Therapy (EFT) and EMDR (and certified in EMDR by EMDRIA) integrate both therapies in conjoint couple therapy. Before my study, there were currently only two unpublished dissertations on the topic, one qualitative and one quantitative. Legg’s (2013) dissertation was a grounded-theory study focusing on EMDR in conjoint couple therapy. Knox’s (2016) dissertation was a comparative (between-groups, quasi-experimental) quantitative study examining the effectiveness of combined EMDR with EFT for military couples. Also, there are approximately fifteen articles and book chapters on the topic. Legg’s (2013) dissertation reviewed the experiences of therapists and clients with using EMDR in conjoint couple therapy, revealing key recommendations for conjoint EMDR, but not specifically focusing on EFT. Knox’s (2016) dissertation found that the combined EMDR-EFT approach most significantly raised attachment security in military couples compared to the three others, EFT only, EMDR only, and the control, although this finding was not statistically significant. In Knox’s study, there was no reference to conjoint therapy. The published case examples and book chapters previously cited have consistently shown that conjoint EMDR can expand intimacy between partners. For example, Moore (2016) asserted that conjoint EMDR is preferable to individual because the healing process should ultimately be associated with one’s partner, instead of the therapist, and that conjoint EMDR is only suggested when both partners show a capacity to self-regulate, and an unwavering commitment to working on the relationship. The main findings are that integrating EMDR helped EFT couple therapy work faster, get to the root of couple distress and develop insight into their negative interactions, promoted self-regulation, is more likely to be effective if the couple relationship is safer, that both models complement each other well, and that integration benefits couples although participants reported it to be risky and complex clinically.

Conference

English

Jason Linder

Linder, J. (2022). Integrating EMDR and EFT in couple therapy. Presentation at the EMDR Canada Annual Conference, Virtual