Rhonda N. Goldman

Updates a classic emotion-focused therapy reference with over 20 years of research and theory. The first edition of this book became the standard reference and training work for a generation of emotion-focused therapy (EFT) therapists. This second edition aims to inspire the next generation of EFT therapists by fully updating the first edition's coverage of EFT theory and practice, while also describing the most exciting theoretical, practical, and organizational developments of the past 20 years. Updates in this new edition include: New integrated models of emotional deepening and EFT case formulation; New questions and activities for self-reflection; Deepened theoretical formulations of the nature and functions of emotions including anger and shame; A comprehensive review of the existing research base in EFT; A supplemental website with course materials to enhance teaching and training. In EFT, therapists cultivate a deeply empathic, caring presence and offer therapeutic work that follows the client's lead while providing gentle, flexible guidance of their process. The goal is to facilitate a process of emotional deepening in clients as they move from global distress, to core pain, to useful adaptive emotions.

This deliberate practice exercises in this concise clinical training manual give trainees an effective method for building competence in the common factors all therapists must master, while also developing skills fundamental to emotion-focused therapy (EFT). Each exercise consists of role-playing scenarios that reflect problems and concerns commonly encountered by EFT practitioners. They are flexibly designed so trainees at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels benefit from careful supervision and guidance, gain insight without actually being in front of clients, and hone their personal therapeutic style. Each of the first 2 exercises focuses on a single skill, such as responding empathically to clients or building therapist self-awareness. Two comprehensive exercises follow in which trainees integrate these essential skills into a single EFT session. Step-by-step instructions guide participants through the exercises, identify criteria for mastering each skill, and explain how to monitor and adjust difficulty. Guidelines to help trainers and trainees get the most out of training are also provided. This book is accompanied by a companion website that features downloadable versions of the book's appendixes, including a deliberate practice reaction form, a guide for distinguishing between different types of empathic responses, and a sample syllabus: http://pubs.apa.org/books/supp/deliberate-practice.