Effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy: Main results of a practice-research network study

Background: Emotion-Focused Therapy is one of the evidence-based psychotherapies for a range of psychological problems. While most evidence was gained from randomized controlled studies or process research at university settings, there is a need for more outcome research conducted within practitioner-researcher networks assessing the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy in private practice. Methods: A total of N = 70 clients with a variety of psychiatric disorders have been included in the bi-national practitioner researcher network for Emotion-focused Therapy Switzerland-Germany. Symptom change was assessed using CORE-OM, BDI-II, IIP and WSAS. Therapist adherence was assessed by the self-reported version of the PCEPS. Pre-post-follow-up analyses were conducted using paired sample t-tests and hierarchical linear modeling. Results: Pre-post-assessment shows small to medium effect sizes for all outcome measures (except for interpersonal problems which did not change). Symptom reduction is maintained for CORE, BDI and WSAS, and increased for IIP at 3 and 6 months follow-up. Therapist adherence is good to excellent in this sample. Conclusions: Emotion-Focused Therapy is effective in the real-world practice, as suggested by the small to moderate effect sizes. The smaller effects found in the current study as compared to randomized controlled trials are consistent with the literature and suggest that EFT remains moderately effective when applied in a naturalistic context.