Abstract:
A discovery-oriented task analysis was conducted to delineate what therapist
interventions, behaviors, and responses and client emotional processes are involved in successful
withdrawer re-engagement in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). EFT is an
empirically validated approach to treating couples. Withdrawer re-engagement is seen as a key
element of the change process in EFT; yet limited research is available as to how the process is
facilitated in session. Seven videotaped samples of successful withdrawer re-engagement were
critically examined using task analytic methods. Therapist interventions and client emotional
experiencing were assessed using the Emotion Focused Therapy Coding Scheme (EFT-CS) and
the Experiencing Scale (EXP). Implications for future research, clinical practice, and training
are discussed.
