Training therapists in emotionally focused therapy: A longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis

Abstract

Using cross-sectional and longitudinal data, our study looks at the effectiveness of the Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Externship and Core Skills trainings. It is the first study to evaluate EFT Core Skills trainings and the first to evaluate change longitudinally throughout the standardized EFT training program. We used the Hungarian EFT Knowledge and Competency Scale (Hungarian EFT-KACS) to examine self-perceived knowledge, competency, and alliance over three 4-day training blocks (Externship, Core Skills Modules 1&2, Core Skills Modules 3&4). Results indicate that each training block significantly increased self-perceived knowledge, competency, and alliance. During the Externship, participants’ knowledge increased the most and remained at this level after each training block. Competency showed a more modest but significant increase during the Externship. However, by the end of the Core Skills training, competency showed a significant increase compared to post-Externship results, demonstrating the unique role of Core Skills training in developing competency in EFT.