Introduction
Emotion-Focused Therapy consists of psychological Therapy whose focus is emotional processing. It views emotion from an adaptive point of view; that is, it allows people to survive as they react to the environment without neglecting the connection of emotions with their needs. This type of Therapy is also known as experiential process therapy. According to Cardona et al. (2022), emotion-focused Therapy integrates important principles of humanistic therapies, such as Gestalt and person-based Therapy, as well as existential Therapy. Unlike other therapies, this one is based solely on emotion. Cardona et al. (2022) say that Therapy is about understanding that emotions are adaptive and guide the tendency toward growth. However, they can become problematic due to past traumatic experiences and teachings that can be cultural or familiar, such as positive reinforcement when ignoring an emotion. This paper will evaluate the conceptualization of Emotions-Focused Therapy to treat Andrea’s childhood trauma.
Application of the Therapy in Andrea’s Case
Exposure to domestic violence and parental alcoholism can profoundly affect children. Studies have shown that these experiences can lead to various mental and physical health problems, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse (Bohus et al., 2019). Children who witness violence at home, like Andrea who is 17 years old, are also more likely to engage in violent behavior as teenagers and adults. In addition to the direct effects of exposure to violence and alcoholism, children from homes plagued by these problems are more likely to experience neglect and emotional abuse. As a result, they may have difficulty forming attachments and grow up feeling isolated and alone. The long-term effects of childhood trauma can be devastating, but with proper support and care, children can overcome these difficulties and lead happy, healthy lives (Bohus et al., 2019). However, the conceptualization of emotion-focused Therapy in the treatment of Andrea’s case can be an evidence-based solution the childhood trauma.
The emotion-therapy is an efficient intervention to combat Andrea’s depression, anxiety, and stress resulting from grief, loss, and childhood trauma. Based on the pre-existing domestic violence and alcoholism, the psychotherapist will integrate emotion-focused Therapy to relieve the effects of the trauma. For this intervention, the psychologist will follow Andrea’s internal experience throughout its evolution, recognizing it as an authentic source (Christ et al., 2019). This Therapy focuses on emotions in an experiential nature, in which the relationship is essential for the transformation process. It facilitates the re-appropriation of experience to create new, healthier meanings and to act more adaptively according to the person’s context (Christ et al., 2019). People react to situations differently; however, to one degree or another, they make use of their emotions. Therefore, this therapy considers them by associating them with our adaptive process. It will emphasize Andrea’s affective world for the sake of our well-being.
Emotion-focused therapies are effective in treating a variety of childhood traumas. One such Therapy is EMDR, which stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. This Therapy uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, to help the brain process and release emotions stuck in the body. This can help to reduce the intensity of feelings associated with the trauma and can also help to improve coping skills and reduce symptoms of PTSD. Another emotion-focused therapy that can be used to treat childhood trauma is art therapy. This type of Therapy can help children express their emotions and experiences safely and creatively. Music therapy can also be beneficial, as it can help to soothe and calm the child while providing an outlet for self-expression. Emotional-based therapies can effectively help children heal from trauma by providing them with a safe space to express their emotions.
Emotion-focused therapies (EFT) effectively treat stress due to childhood trauma. Therefore, the stress experienced by Andrea would be combatted by this Therapy by providing new insight into the historical domestic violence and alcoholism of her parents. This is because these therapies focus on helping Andrea regulate their emotions, which are often dysregulated following exposure to traumas such as domestic violence. EFT addresses the negative emotions often left following unprocessed exposure to such traumatic experiences (Hébert et al., 2018). These negative emotions can include shame, doubt, and fear. Through EBT, Andrea can learn to process and manage these emotions healthily. This, in turn, can lead to reduced stress levels and improved overall well-being. Furthermore, EBT can help Andrea develop a more positive outlook on life, which can further combat the negative effects of stress. As a result, emotion-focused therapies can be an effective way of combatting the effects of childhood trauma.
Moreover, emotion-focused Therapy is an effective evidence-based intervention for Andrea’s anxiety. Several studies have shown that children who witness or are victims of domestic violence often suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues later in life (Hébert et al., 2018; Christ et al., 2019). While traditional Therapy can help to address these issues, it may not be sufficient to address the deep-seated trauma that Andrea experiences. Emotion-focused Therapy, which focuses on helping patients to process and understand their emotions, is an effective treatment for those who have experienced childhood trauma. In one study, patients who underwent emotion-focused Therapy showed a significantly decreased level of anxiety and an improved ability to cope with their emotions. This type of Therapy can be particularly helpful for Andrea as she has experienced domestic violence. Therefore, providing him with a safe space to process the trauma and learn healthy coping mechanisms.
The psychotherapist would act as a facilitator rather than a directive person. In addition to promoting self-recognition, the psychotherapist should apply effective emotional management and consolidation of skills to offset the experiences that anguish Andrea (Christ et al., 2019). Then, emotional conflicts will be considered, emphasizing the relationship, the principles of attachment theory, emotional expression and identification, and improving communication to strengthen Andrea’s bond with her parents. Furthermore, in terms of relationships, Andrea’s herself will be explored. For this reason, this approach is so effective for treating disorders such as depression and anxiety. Andrea must work on her emotions from cognitive, emotional, and social aspects as the protagonist of her life. Therefore, this Therapy has great empirical support for the effects of childhood trauma and can be a critical intervention for the problem.
Conclusion
Emotion-focused Therapy (EFT) has been developed as an evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and stress. It will reveal positive outcomes in the treatment of Andrea’s complex childhood trauma, social anxiety disorder, and family and couple conflicts. Standing out for its integrative character, EFT is a model of psychotherapy developed from the dialogue between contemporary theory on emotions and neuroscience and by humanistic, phenomenological, and constructivist principles. This Therapy will offer treatment for Andrea’s childhood trauma with an emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and experiential interventions guided by specific markers observed during the sessions.
References
Bohus, M., Schmahl, C., Fydrich, T., Steil, R., Müller-Engelmann, M., Herzog, J., Ludäscher, P., Kleindienst, N., & Priebe, K. (2019). A research program to evaluate DBT-PTSD, a modular treatment approach for Complex PTSD after childhood abuse. Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation, 6(1), 1-16. Web.
Cardona, N. D., Madigan, R. J., & Sauer-Zavala, S. (2022). How minority stress becomes traumatic invalidation: An emotion-focused conceptualization of minority stress in sexual and gender minority people. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 29(2), 185. Web.
Christ, C., De Waal, M. M., Dekker, J. J., van Kuijk, I., Van Schaik, D. J., Kikkert, M. J. & Messman-Moore, T. L. (2019). Linking childhood emotional abuse and depressive symptoms: The role of emotion dysregulation and interpersonal problems. PloS One, 14(2), e0211882. Web.
Hébert, M., Langevin, R., & Oussaïd, E. (2018). Cumulative childhood trauma, emotion regulation, dissociation, and behavior problems in school-aged sexual abuse victims. Journal of Affective Disorders, 225, 306-312. Web.