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Two‐Year Follow‐up Outcomes in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: An Investigation of Relationship Satisfaction and Attachment Trajectories
Author(s) -
Wiebe Stephanie A.,
Johnson Susan M.,
Lafontaine MarieFrance,
Burgess Moser Melissa,
Dalgleish Tracy L.,
Tasca Giorgio A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of marital and family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.868
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1752-0606
pISSN - 0194-472X
DOI - 10.1111/jmft.12206
Subject(s) - psychology , psychotherapist , family therapy , clinical psychology , attachment theory
Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT; The practice of emotionally focused couple therapy: Creating connection . New York, NY: Brunner‐Routledge) is an evidence‐based couple therapy that aims to create lasting change for couples ( Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice , 6(1), 67–79). Although studies have demonstrated strong results in follow‐up ( Journal of Marital and Family Therapy , 28(4), 391–398), less is known about relationship functioning across time after therapy has ended. We modelled change in relationship satisfaction and attachment from pre‐therapy through 24 months follow‐up in 32 couples. HLM results confirmed a significant growth pattern demonstrating increases in relationship satisfaction and secure base behaviour and decreases in relationship specific attachment anxiety over the course of therapy and across follow‐up at a decelerated rate. These findings support the theoretical assumption that EFT helps couples engaged in therapy create lasting relationship satisfaction and attachment change.