The Experience of Learning EFT in Spanish-speaking Countries: A Multi-National Replication Study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Family Therapy
• Cross-cultural Psychology

Background:

• The original study by Sandberg and Knestel (2011) explored the learning process of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT).
• A follow-up study was conducted to examine the learning process in a different cultural context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the learning process of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) between English-speaking and Spanish-speaking clinicians.
• To identify cultural influences on the acquisition and adaptation of EFT.

Main Methods:

• A multi-national follow-up study involving 102 clinicians from nine Spanish-speaking countries.
• Qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were employed.
• Comparison of results with the original study.

Main Results:

• Similarities were found in the overall learning process of EFT across both studies.
• Spanish-speaking therapists reported a heightened appreciation for EFT's focus on core emotions.
• Fewer difficulties were reported by Spanish-speaking therapists in learning and adapting to the EFT model.

Conclusions:

• Cultural values in Latin America and Spain may enhance resonance with EFT's core emotional focus.
• Training and supervision approaches for EFT may benefit from cultural adaptation.
• Further research is recommended to explore cultural nuances in therapy training.