1
Case Study
Author’s Name
Date
Course number
Instructor’s Name
, 2
Counselling Approach for Elizabeth: An Emotion-Focused Therapy Perspective
Introduction
This paper examines the case of Elizabeth, a woman struggling with intense anger and
difficulty coping following the breakdown of her marital relationship and subsequent failed
relationship. As her professional counsellor, I will adopt an Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
approach to address her emotional distress and relationship difficulties. The paper will
identify Elizabeth's main areas of concern, justify the selection of EFT as the most
appropriate therapeutic approach, establish appropriate counselling goals, outline specific
techniques to help Elizabeth express and manage her emotions, and describe strategies to
highlight her strengths and develop coping skills. The analysis will be grounded in current
EFT theory and research, incorporating at least 15 peer-reviewed sources to support the
intervention plan.
Background: Identifying Main Areas of Concern
Elizabeth presents with several interconnected areas of concern that require careful
exploration in therapy. The primary issue is her intense, unresolved anger regarding her failed
relationships - both with her ex-husband Jodi and with the subsequent partner she left Jodi to
be with (Case Study One, p. 2). This anger appears persistent and maladaptive, interfering
with her ability to move forward in her life. Elizabeth's anger has had significant
consequences, including social isolation from family and friends, and impairment in her
occupational functioning to the point where she sold her successful business (Case Study
One, p. 2).
Several factors in Elizabeth's background likely contribute to her current distress. The
dynamics of her relationship with Jodi appear particularly significant. Elizabeth describes
Jodi as "manipulative and verbally abusive" and felt he was unsupportive of her needs and
career (Case Study One, p. 2). However, the social aftermath of the separation has been
difficult for Elizabeth, as Jodi has retained positive relationships with her family and their
mutual friends, who are sympathetic towards him due to the circumstances of the separation
(Case Study One, p. 2). This has left Elizabeth feeling resentful and isolated.
The custody arrangement adds another layer of complexity. Elizabeth shares custody
of her two teenage children with Jodi, who now lives with another woman and is engaged to
be married (Case Study One, p. 2). The children have a close relationship with their father
, 3
and get along well with his new partner, which appears to be another source of resentment for
Elizabeth (Case Study One, p. 2). This ongoing connection through co-parenting means Jodi
remains present in Elizabeth's life, potentially maintaining her emotional distress.
Additional information that would be valuable to explore includes:
The nature and duration of the alleged verbal abuse and manipulation in her marriage
Elizabeth's childhood attachment history and family-of-origin dynamics
The circumstances surrounding her decision to leave Jodi for another man
The reasons why her subsequent relationship failed
Her current support systems and social network
Any history of previous mental health concerns or treatment
Her coping mechanisms for stress prior to the current crisis
The timeline of her business sale relative to her emotional deterioration
It would give a more comprehensive picture of Elizabeth’s situation and allow
individualizing the therapeutic strategies. Attention to the specified areas is demanded, since
they apparently play a role in making her current emotional condition and can shed light on
informative patterns of her relationships and mechanisms of surviving (Park et al., 2023).
Elizabeth's presentation suggests several potential underlying emotional processes
that warrant exploration in therapy. Her persistent anger may mask more vulnerable emotions
such as sadness, grief, or shame about the failed relationships. The social isolation suggests
possible attachment injuries and feelings of rejection or betrayal. Bad feelings of others
continued positive relations with Jodi might suggest those who have not come to terms with
feelings of injustice or unfairness towards Jodi (Weiss &Cropanzano, 2023). These emotional
themes were important to touch on in therapy to enable Elizabeth to make better sense of her
experiences.
Counselling Approach: Emotion-Focused Therapy
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) is an evidence-based approach to psychotherapy
that deals with the concept of emotions being at the core of identity, decision making, and
transformative change. EFT is an integration of humanistic, existential, Gestalt, and person-
centered therapies developed by Leslie Greenberg and colleagues that helps clients to deeply
engage with their emotions. It is based on the assumption that emotional awareness and
Case Study
Author’s Name
Date
Course number
Instructor’s Name
, 2
Counselling Approach for Elizabeth: An Emotion-Focused Therapy Perspective
Introduction
This paper examines the case of Elizabeth, a woman struggling with intense anger and
difficulty coping following the breakdown of her marital relationship and subsequent failed
relationship. As her professional counsellor, I will adopt an Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
approach to address her emotional distress and relationship difficulties. The paper will
identify Elizabeth's main areas of concern, justify the selection of EFT as the most
appropriate therapeutic approach, establish appropriate counselling goals, outline specific
techniques to help Elizabeth express and manage her emotions, and describe strategies to
highlight her strengths and develop coping skills. The analysis will be grounded in current
EFT theory and research, incorporating at least 15 peer-reviewed sources to support the
intervention plan.
Background: Identifying Main Areas of Concern
Elizabeth presents with several interconnected areas of concern that require careful
exploration in therapy. The primary issue is her intense, unresolved anger regarding her failed
relationships - both with her ex-husband Jodi and with the subsequent partner she left Jodi to
be with (Case Study One, p. 2). This anger appears persistent and maladaptive, interfering
with her ability to move forward in her life. Elizabeth's anger has had significant
consequences, including social isolation from family and friends, and impairment in her
occupational functioning to the point where she sold her successful business (Case Study
One, p. 2).
Several factors in Elizabeth's background likely contribute to her current distress. The
dynamics of her relationship with Jodi appear particularly significant. Elizabeth describes
Jodi as "manipulative and verbally abusive" and felt he was unsupportive of her needs and
career (Case Study One, p. 2). However, the social aftermath of the separation has been
difficult for Elizabeth, as Jodi has retained positive relationships with her family and their
mutual friends, who are sympathetic towards him due to the circumstances of the separation
(Case Study One, p. 2). This has left Elizabeth feeling resentful and isolated.
The custody arrangement adds another layer of complexity. Elizabeth shares custody
of her two teenage children with Jodi, who now lives with another woman and is engaged to
be married (Case Study One, p. 2). The children have a close relationship with their father
, 3
and get along well with his new partner, which appears to be another source of resentment for
Elizabeth (Case Study One, p. 2). This ongoing connection through co-parenting means Jodi
remains present in Elizabeth's life, potentially maintaining her emotional distress.
Additional information that would be valuable to explore includes:
The nature and duration of the alleged verbal abuse and manipulation in her marriage
Elizabeth's childhood attachment history and family-of-origin dynamics
The circumstances surrounding her decision to leave Jodi for another man
The reasons why her subsequent relationship failed
Her current support systems and social network
Any history of previous mental health concerns or treatment
Her coping mechanisms for stress prior to the current crisis
The timeline of her business sale relative to her emotional deterioration
It would give a more comprehensive picture of Elizabeth’s situation and allow
individualizing the therapeutic strategies. Attention to the specified areas is demanded, since
they apparently play a role in making her current emotional condition and can shed light on
informative patterns of her relationships and mechanisms of surviving (Park et al., 2023).
Elizabeth's presentation suggests several potential underlying emotional processes
that warrant exploration in therapy. Her persistent anger may mask more vulnerable emotions
such as sadness, grief, or shame about the failed relationships. The social isolation suggests
possible attachment injuries and feelings of rejection or betrayal. Bad feelings of others
continued positive relations with Jodi might suggest those who have not come to terms with
feelings of injustice or unfairness towards Jodi (Weiss &Cropanzano, 2023). These emotional
themes were important to touch on in therapy to enable Elizabeth to make better sense of her
experiences.
Counselling Approach: Emotion-Focused Therapy
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) is an evidence-based approach to psychotherapy
that deals with the concept of emotions being at the core of identity, decision making, and
transformative change. EFT is an integration of humanistic, existential, Gestalt, and person-
centered therapies developed by Leslie Greenberg and colleagues that helps clients to deeply
engage with their emotions. It is based on the assumption that emotional awareness and
