Learning emotion-focused therapy: certified emotion-focused therapists’ perspectives

ABSTRACT

Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) is an increasingly popular form of humanistic therapy that is spreading internationally through standard training curricula. The empirical investigations of training in EFT have, however, received little attention. This study investigated certified EFT therapists’ experience of learning EFT, including their experience of didactic training, experiential exercises, supervision, and self-study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 certified EFT therapists, respectively. All the interviews were recorded and transcribed, and data were analyzed using a descriptive and interpretive approach. Results showed that therapists had both positive and challenging experiences during their learning process: the therapy proved complex to learn, experiential exercises (chair work) were challenging but important for learning, self-study played an important role, experiencing different trainers was valuable, and the role of structured supervision to scaffold learning was emphasized. In conclusion, learning EFT is a rewarding yet challenging process for therapists to go through.

Se former à la thérapie centrée sur l’émotion: Perspectives des thérapeutes centrés sur l’émotion

La thérapie centrée sur l’émotion (TCE) est une forme de thérapie humaniste de plus en plus populaire qui se répand au niveau international au travers de programmes de formation standardisés. Jusqu’à présent, le TCE a fait l’objet de peu d’attention en matière de recherche empirique. Cette étude portait sur l’expérience de formation de thérapeutes certifiés dans la TCE en ce y compris leur expérience en matière de formation didactique, d’exercices expérientiels, de supervision et d’étude personnelle. Des entretiens semi-structurés ont été respectivement conduits auprès de dix thérapeutes certifiés dans la TCE. Tous les entretiens ont été enregistrés et retranscrits. Les données ont été analysées en utilisant une approche descriptive et interprétative. Les résultats ont montré que les thérapeutes ont rencontré des expériences confrontantes et positives au cours de leur apprentissage: la thérapie s’avérait complexe à apprendre, les exercices expérientiels (travail sur chaises) étaient difficiles mais importants dans l’apprentissage, l’apprentissage personnel occupait un rôle important, l’expérience de différents formateurs était précieuse tandis que l’importance d’une supervision structurée a été soulignée dans l’intégration de l’apprentissage. Pour conclure, la formation à la TCE est un processus enrichissant et exigeant pour les thérapeutes.

Emotionsfokussierte Therapie lernen: die Perspektive zertifizierter Emotionsfokussierter Therapeuten

Emotionsfokussierte Therapie (EFT) ist eine zunehmend populäre Form der humanistischen Therapie, die sich mit standardisierten Trainings-Curricula international ausbreitet. Die empirischen Untersuchungen zur Ausbildung in EFT erhielt bisher jedoch wenig Aufmerksamkeit. Diese Studie untersucht die Erfahrungen zertifizierter EFT- Therapeuten, während man EFT lernt, einschliesslich ihrer Erfahrung von didaktischem Training, experienziellen Übungen, Supervision und Selbststudium. Halbstrukturierte Interviews wurden mit zehn zertifizierten EFT-Therapeuten durchgeführt. Alle diese Interviews wurden aufgenommen und transkribiert. Die Daten wurden mithilfe eines deskriptiven und interpretativen Ansatzes analysiert. Resultate zeigten, dass die Therapeuten sowohl positive als auch herausfordernde Erfahrungen während ihres Lernprozesses gemacht haben: Die Therapie erwies sich als komplex zu erlernen; experienzielle Übungen (Stuhl-Arbeit) waren herausfordernd, aber wichtig für das Lernen; das Selbststudium spielte eine wichtige Rolle; verschiedene Ausbilder zu erleben war wertvoll und die Rolle strukturierter Supervision, um der Ausbildung ein Gerüst zu geben, wurde unterstrichen. Als Fazit: EFT zu erlernen ist ein lohnenswerter, aber herausfordernder Prozess für Therapeuten.

Aprendizaje de la terapia centrada en la emoción: las perspectivas de los terapeutas certificados centrados en la emoción

La terapia centrada en la emoción (TCET) es una forma cada vez más popular de terapia humanista que se está extendiendo internacionalmente a través de los planes de estudio estándar. Sin embargo, las investigaciones empíricas de capacitación en TCE han recibido poca atención. Este estudio investigó la experiencia de los terapeutas de TCE certificados en el aprendizaje de TCE, incluida su experiencia en entrenamiento didáctico, ejercicios experimentales, supervisión y autoestudio. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas con diez terapeutas certificados en TCE, respectivamente. Todas las entrevistas fueron grabadas y transcritas, y los datos fueron analizados utilizando un enfoque descriptivo e interpretativo. Los resultados mostraron que los terapeutas tuvieron experiencias positivas y desafiantes durante su proceso de aprendizaje: la terapia resultó compleja de aprender, los ejercicios experimentales (trabajo en silla) fueron desafiantes pero importantes para el aprendizaje, el autoaprendizaje desempeñó un papel importante, fue valioso experimentar diferentes entrenadores, y se enfatizó el papel de la supervisión estructurada para el aprendizaje de plataformas. En conclusión, aprender EFT es un proceso gratificante pero desafiante para los terapeutas.

Aprender Terapia Focada na Emoção: perspetivas de terapeutas certificados da Terapia Focada nas Emoções

A Terapia Focada nas Emoções (TFE) é uma abordagem de terapia humanista cada vez mais conhecida e que está a disseminar-se a nível internacional por meio de currículos de formação. Contudo, as investigações empíricas referentes à formação em TFE, têm recebido pouca atenção. Este estudo investigou a experiência de terapeutas certificados em TFE de aprenderem a TFE, incluindo a sua experiência de formação didática, exercícios experienciais, supervisão e estudo autodidata. Foram feitas entrevistas semiestruturadas a dez terapeutas de TFE certificados. Todas as entrevistas foram gravadas e transcritas e os dados foram analisados recorrendo a uma abordagem descritiva e interpretativa. Os resultados demonstraram que a experiência de aprendizagem dos terapeutas tinha sido simultaneamente positiva e desafiante. A terapia tinha provado ser complexa de aprender, os exercícios experienciais (jogo de papéis) tinham sido desafiantes mas importantes para a aprendizagem, o estudo autodidata tinha desempenhado um papel importante, ter formadores diversos tinha-se revelado valioso e foi sublinhado o papel desempenhado pela supervisão estruturada na construção de bases de aprendizagem. Em conclusão, aprender TFE é um processo gratificante, ainda que desafiante, pelo qual os terapeutas passam.

KEYWORDS:

• Psychotherapy training
• emotion-focused Therapy
• learning experience
• challenges
• positive experience

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Suyi Qiu

Suyi Qiu is a counselling psychologist and she obtained her doctorate degree (D.Couns.Psych.) from Trinity College Dublin. She currently works as a psychologist in PACE Safer Lives Treatment Programme. She has a keen interest in applying emotion focused therapy to her therapeutic work.

Barbara Hannigan

Barbara Hannigan is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin.  She teaches across all cohorts on the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and provides clinical and research supervision. She has published widely including 20 academic peer reviewed, journal articles, conference presentations, symposia and book chapters and she regularly reviews for a range of journals. More recently researching life-story research of people with phenomenal and diverse lives such as; breast cancer survivors, LGBTI₊ and presently with World Renowned Master Therapists and Academics in psychology and psychotherapy. She also continues in private practice as Director of Counselling Psychology Consultancy Services and Co-Director of Pro-psychology Consult where she often applies Emotion Focused Therapy with her clients.

Daragh Keogh

Daragh Keogh is a Counselling Psychologist and post-doctoral research fellow in the School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. He is currently trial manager on two randomised controlled trials investigating the efficacy of emotion-focused therapy. He is co-author on a number of peer reviewed papers. He is a co-director at the Institute of Emotion-Focused Therapy Ireland, where he maintains a small private practice.

Ladislav Timulak

Ladislav Timulak is Associate Professor at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. He is Course Director of the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology. His main research interest is psychotherapy research, particularly the development of emotion focused therapy. He has written six books, over 70 peer reviewed papers and various chapters in both his native language, Slovak, and in English. His most recent books include Transforming Emotional Pain in Psychotherapy: An Emotion‐Focused Approach (Routledge, 2015) and Transforming Generalized Anxiety: An Emotion‐Focused Approach (Routledge, 2017). He previously co‐edited Counselling Psychology Quarterly. He maintains a part‐time private practice.