Growing Through Connection: An EFT Podcast

Dr. Sue Johnson shares insights on how the mental health profession has evolved, noting the overuse of diagnostic labels and advocating instead for a focus on attachment. She emphasizes the importance of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) in fostering secure attachments and emotional growth. Dr. Johnson highlights that EFT is not about diagnosing or merely treating symptoms but about guiding client...

Dr. Sue Johnson discusses her ideal dinner guests, including Winston Churchill for his fascinating personality, Albert Einstein for his brilliance and persistence, Buddhist abbess Pema Chodron for her grace and teaching style, and musician James Taylor for his inspiring music. She shares anecdotes about Einstein's suite at MIT, Churchill's eccentric habits, and the impact of Taylor's song 'Shed A...

Dr. Sue Johnson discusses her passion for teaching and for Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT). She delves into her love for gardening, bird-watching, and spending time in nature with her family. Sue also reflects on her struggle with maintaining a work-life balance, influenced by her English working-class upbringing, and how she's learning to incorporate rest into her busy life.

Dr. Sue Johnson explains how Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) goes beyond improving couple relationships to significantly enhancing long-term mental health and resilience. By emphasizing attachment science, EFT supports individuals in cultivating deep, secure connections that foster personal growth and emotional stability. Dr. Johnson outlines how EFT and Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (E...

Dr. Sue Johnson discusses her first venture into fiction writing with the book, Edgar & Eloise . Inspired by puppets purchased at a craft fair and spurred on by her desire to connect with her granddaughter during COVID, Sue describes how the characters came to life and intertwined with her work in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Through the allegorical tales of a crow named Edgar and a fox...

Dr. Sue Johnson discusses the inspirations and mantras that have shaped her approach to therapy and to life. She highlights the concept of attunement, drawing parallels with Argentine tango and musical performances by artists like Isaac Perlman and Yo Yo Ma. Sue shares her personal mantra, which is inspired by Mary Oliver's quote about making one's life count, and recounts her thoughts on a friend...

Dr. Sue Johnson shares memorable success stories showcasing the transformative impact of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). One highlights the Hold Me Tight Education Program, which received a prestigious research grant from Canada Heart and Stroke. The program, Healing Hearts Together, helps distressed couples improve their relationships and, in turn, enhances individuals’ ability to manage stres...

Dr. Sue Johnson discusses her favorite non-therapy related books, particularly those focusing on historical accounts of women during the Second World War, such as those written by Kate Quinn. Sue also shares her admiration for Winston Churchill and his biography, The Last Lion , by William Manchester, as well as her appreciation for the wisdom of Buddhist abbess Pema Chodron. Additionally, she ref...

Dr. Sue Johnson shares her journey to developing Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). She describes how observing transformational changes in couples through taped sessions and working with emotion led her to understand the significance of adult attachment and emotions in therapy. Dr. Johnson recounts critical milestones, including her first research verification, publication in a prestigious journa...

In this episode, Dr. Sue Johnson delves into the personal inspirations that have shaped her career. She emphasizes the lessons learned from her clients that helped her to develop EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), observing their patterns and emotional interactions. Sue also discusses the significant influence of attachment theorists like Phil Shaver and Mario Mikulincer, who have advanced the und...