Emotionally Focused Therapy as Treatment for Couples With Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Relationship Distress

Abstract

Research has demonstrated a link between romantic relationship distress and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD); however, few have explored treating GAD with couple therapy. People with GAD often report insecure attachment and constantly search for safety. Emotionally focused therapy for couples (EFT), with its roots in attachment theory, may be an effective way to treat couples with relationship distress and where one partner has GAD. Overviews of GAD and EFT are provided, and then a case example is given demonstrating how the stages and steps of EFT can be adapted to alleviate the anxiety, constant worry, and relationship distress often associated with GAD. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.