Emotionally Focused Therapy: Practical Applications for Psych PAs

Emotional distress rarely exists in isolation, and patients’ symptoms are often intertwined with attachment needs, relationship patterns, and recurring emotional cycles. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), developed by Sue Johnson and colleagues, provides an attachment-based framework for understanding these patterns and fostering more secure emotional connections. This presentation introduces PAs to core EFT principles and explores practical applications for patients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship distress, and other emotional concerns. Through clinical examples, participants will learn to recognize negative interactional cycles, identify underlying emotions and attachment needs, and use EFT-informed strategies to promote safety, connection, and meaningful change.