Abstract
Couple and family therapists (CFTs) routinely encounter couples with differing levels of commitment, otherwise known as mixed agenda couples, in their practice. CFTs using a traditional model of couple therapy may miss opportunities to help these types of couples make a coherent and deliberate decision for the future of their relationship. In response to the large number of mixed agenda couples coming to therapy, this article outlines a way to integrate Discernment Counseling (Doherty & Harris in Helping couples on the brink of divorce: Discernment counseling for troubled relationships. American Psychological Association, 2017) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) (Greenberg & Johnson in Emotionally focused therapy for couples. Guilford Press, 1988). EFT and Discernment Counseling view couple relationships as attachment relationships, thus providing common ground for integration. However, the primary goal of EFT of creating a securely attached couple relationship does not account for mixed agenda couples, thus necessitating this integration to provide a method for EFT practitioners to address this common dilemma. In this manuscript, the author creates a roadmap for EFT therapists to use Discernment Counseling to enhance assessment, treatment planning, and initial sessions.
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Edwards, C. The Integration of Discernment Counseling and Emotionally Focused Therapy: Attachment-Based Therapy with Mixed Agenda Couples. Contemp Fam Ther 45, 186–194 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-021-09610-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-021-09610-9