The Still Face Experiment, conducted by psychologist Ed Tronick in the 1970s, was a key influence on the development of EFT couples therapy by Sue Johnson. The experiment involved a mother and her infant child, and demonstrated the impact of emotional responsiveness (or lack thereof) on an individual's emotional state. The Still Face Experiment is significant because it highlights the importance of emotional attachment throughout our lives.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) helps couples strengthen their emotional bond. It is an evidence-based, structured approach to couple therapy that is the gold standard in creating healthy relationships. Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy strengthens family bonds and supports happy children. Positive benefits spill over onto the entire family, even when children are not directly involved in the therapy.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a humanistic therapy based on attachment theory, supports partners in recognizing their feelings, understanding each other better, and creating stronger relationships. Looking into how partners interact and what emotions they feel supports building strong relationships filled with love and trust.

Sue Johnson, the creator of EFT for couples, speaks about the 'panic brain' triggered by the amygdala and how it needs to be soothed. Her research shows that a secure, warm, loving relationship between a couple can create an atmosphere where this panic brain is calmed. This kind of bond provides the comfort necessary to help the brain move away from fear and find solace in a secure connection with another human being.

John Gottman is a psychologist and prolific researcher of what makes partnerships satisfying and lasting. He has infused hope into angst-filled relationships and transformed them into deeply fulfilling connections. Gottman has identified ‘Six Magic Hours’ that distinguish happy couples from unhappy ones.

Self-regulation vs. co-regulation? Leading experts in the fields of bonding, attachment and neuroscience tell us of the impact of our connections. When you have a positive feedback loop with another person, their nervous system can help yours to regulate. Find out more about how this works.

Emotionally Focused Therapy understands that the glue of relationships lies in our emotional bonds. Our emotional bonds can be injured in a variety of ways. While relationship repair generally won’t happen without effort, the good news is that there are some proven keys to relationship repair.

Throughout our lives we rely on secure bonds to successfully navigate life. And yet, even as we forge our own partnerships they often fall short of being ones where we can share our deepest vulnerabilities and feel emotionally secure. Attachment science tells us that regardless of our histories, we can create new possibilities for creating secure emotional bonds.

You keep sweeping things under the rug hoping they'll get better. But they don't. And they won't if you don't actually talk about what's been going on. Here are 4 ways you can begin to communicate better with your partner.