Comparison and

Summary
of Evidence-Based
Couple Therapy
Couple Therapy

Number of Session 8 1 Type of Therapy

Target Group 7 2 Concept & Focus

6 3
Cons Goal

5 4
Pros Interventions
Type of Couple Therapy Emotionally
Focused
Cognitive-
Behavioral Insight
Solution- Oriented
Focused
Schema Systemic Integrative
Gottman Behavioral
Method
Narrative

Behavioral
Concept & Focus
EFT 1 9 NT

SFBT 2 4 IOCT
BCT 7
Concept

GMCT 3 5 IBCT
10 ST
CBCT 8

6 SCT
 a. based on systems c. distressing patterns are
theory and communication maintained by behaviors
theory driven by emotions

SCT b. emphasize patterns of d. emphasize ways in which

interaction between early emotional attachments
partners and family influence behavior in adult
members romantic relationships
Therapy
Goals SFBT

EFT ST
NT

GMCT Goal

CBCT

IOCT
BCT
IB SC
CT T
 b. repairing an alliance
rupture

rebuild fundamental
attachment emotions
a. to strengthen partner’s
communication, assertion and
problem-solving skills

b. modify dysfunctional
cognitions and attitudes

c. to decrease emotional
distress such as anger,
sadness or disgust
a. create a safe
environment
where families
respond and
cope with
conflicts
b. development c. generating
of well‑focused solutions
goals based upon
exceptions
b. encourage increased c. toning down of
‘differentiation’ between dysfunctional
partners and their emotional emotional responses
system

a. to maintain balance and stability in the

relational system
 a. to increase b. fosters healthy

self-disclosure and
expression of interest & improve
mutual understanding
interactions
 b. explore
meanings
clients ass
ign to even
ts
a. gain insight into
unconscious conflicts g of
f ee li n
en c o urage
c. to or e de eply
m o t i on sm
e
 a. increas
e empath
partners y for

b. integra
tes the tw
acceptanc in goals o
e and cha f
positive o nge as
utcomes
 t o m a ke
c ou ples ch anges
a. hel p v ior al
e be ha
p os it iv

b e h a viors
in f or ce
b. r e
an d s top
e c o gn ize viors
c. t o r g be ha
e n ab li n
partner
a. identify and change maladaptive
schemas, coping styles and
blocked modes

b. teach adaptive tools to satisfy their

basic needs
a. explore concepts of
personal agency,
intentionality and power
Interventions SFBT
CBCT
EFT
IBCT

IOCT
Interventions
SCT

NT
BCT
ST
GMCT
a. heightening & evocative i b ility
n s
b. responding g re spo
& takin
m o rse
b. increasing awareness of s in gr e
e v e nt re &
p r e s t h e l o s u
process patterns & emotions h. ex ir role in t h e disc
for th
e
o n for
r e c iati
a r t n er
c. structuring bonding & enactments
o w app other p ore
sh t h e & m
i.
iri n g of r i e n cing g
inqu n
d. facilitation of softer & primary o f expe espondi
emotions d e p th
o n a l r e nt
at e r pe rs h m
j. gre ve inter t o a ttac
li a ti e n e ss
e. exploration & sharing of a ffi onsi v
e s p
attachment needs m o tes r c tive
p ro t r u
k.
al i n g u a l cons
f. verbally inquire & raise concern Sign o f mut
e in u se
tt e rn icati on-
about possible rupture c r eas tion pa m un
l. in o m
m u nica u t u al c
g. explore emotional reaction to com s e of m
e in u
event that precipitated rupture e a s
ecr rns
m. d nt patte
a
avoid
a. identification of problem description

b. problem is defined & determined if realistic

c. establish measurable goals for solutions & exceptions to problem

d. focus upon identification, amplification, and measurement of progress

of solutions
a. sound relationship
house

b. rapoport intervention

c. flash card-based
activities for building
love maps
 a. utilize behavioral c. reflection & affective
interventions adapted reconstruction
from BCT
b. augmenting, reflecting & d. better understanding
probing of underlying
emotions developmental
histories
a. empathic joining

b. unified detachment

c. tolerance building

d. evocative rather than

prescriptive interventions
identify & prevent emotional chain reactions

b. positive radars

c. feed-forward technique
a. speaker/listener technique

b. behavior exchange
technique

c. communication training f. shared

rewarding
& planned activities
caring da
ys
d. couple problem solving
g. time ou
t interven
tion
e. daily ritual of noticing
positive relationship behaviors h. behavi
oral shap
rehearsal ing,
& accepta
nce
 e. expression of affection & sexual
r e st ru c t uring problems
ti v e
a. cogni
r t e c h n i que
p e a k e r / li s t ene f. acceptance & tolerance of
b. s m u n ic a t ion
m
& other co differences
training
f l ic t re s o lution g. increased imputability in conflicts
ob le m & con
c. p r
strategies h. role playing
e xp re s s ion
id e n t if i c a tion &
d.
ns
of emotio
a. narrative metaphor

b. positioning, personal
agency

c. positioning, ity
e. ident ion,
subordinate story at
development proclam ction
t ru
decons
d. Intentionality
a. limited reparenting s hc ar ds &
. s c he ma fla
e
b. empathic confrontation diaries
a di alogues
c. guided imagery & role f. schem
playing

d. data collection, reframing/​

reattribution
Pros SF
BT
collaborative
& respectful
SF
BT

non-
CB
CT pathologic
continued EFT
GM
progress CT

short- SF
EFT
IBCT
term NT BT
EFT universality

IOCT NT
GM wide EFT
CT
range
flexible
CB NT
CT
ST
SCT
Cons SCT
ST NT
SFBT
EFT BCT
few lower
GMCT effectiveness not for efficacy
studies severe rates
problems short- IOCT
term
IOCT
Limitations
CBCT
focus away
from change
long- EFT
term
IBCT
only few IOCT limitations in
therapists approach IBCT
IOCT

NT
Target Group CBCT
SFBT

CBCT, EFT emotional &

NT, SFBT specific sexual problems mild violent BCT
SCT, IBCT populations behaviors CBCT
ST, BCT

IBCT acceptance & conflict BCT

NT tolerance issues resolution NT

EFT attachment anxiety long-standing

& containment problems ST
IOCT

EFT
BCT communication inflexible interpersonal
problems behavior EFT
CBCT
ST
 6-10
Number of GMCT 1-2

Sessions SFBT
yrs

IOCT
3-5 IBCT 24-
26
EFT
8-20

Length of 5-20
Treatment
SCT

NT
12-
6 CBCT BCT 20

ST
20 12
Thank
you!