Introduction to part II of the special issue on Emotion-Focused Therapy

The special issue is devoted to further developments in emotion-focused therapy (EFT). The last special issue focused on theoretical and research developments, as well as applications with different client groups. This issue brings together papers detailing further applications to specific populations as well as those that show how emotion-focused theory has been broadened in order to apply to different client groups such as couples and families.

Emotion-focused therapy has been demonstrated to be effective in treating people with complex trauma and related issues as is demonstrated in the paper by Mlotek and Paivio. Emotion-focused therapy has also been adapted and applied in a group format with clients with autistic disorders. The theory supporting the application of EFT and illustrations of the group process work are described in the paper by Robinson and Elliott.

Emotion-focused theory has been expanded and applied to work with couples and families. Major developments have occurred in emotion-focused therapy for couples (Goldman & Greenberg, 2013; Greenberg & Goldman, 2008; Greenberg & Johnson, 1988). In this special issue, more recent developments and applications are described in the paper by Catalina Woldarsky-Meneses. Finally, a great deal of development has occurred in applying emotion-focused therapy with clients with eating disorders and specifically emotion-focused family therapy (EFFT) has grown out of the approach. The therapy has been found to be very helpful in working with this population. A paper discussing research on the development of self-efficacy with this client group through participation in the therapy is described in the paper by LaFrance et al.