Hold Me Tight: Celebrating One Million Copies!

 

Sue Johnson first developed and taught her couple therapy model, Emotionally Focused Therapy, thirty-some years ago. Initially, she faced skepticism and objections from mental health professionals at her training events. At the same time, growing numbers of followers recognized the profound truths in Sue’s message. Today, EFT is widely adopted all over the world. EFT arguably has the best outcomes and most research support among all couple therapy models.

Sue views couples as having emotional bonds equivalent to the bonds between children and their parents. Partners are equal to each other rather than hierarchical, however. Each partner is both a child and a caregiver in the relationship.

The nervous system reacts automatically to potential threats to this bond. As a result, couples can easily trigger each other, then find themselves caught in negative relationship cycles. Surprisingly, all conflicts in close relationships can be seen as attempts to repair or protect a fractured bond.

Sue gives us a deep understanding and compassionate view of relationship distress. Better yet, couple relationships heal through the path of Emotionally Focused Therapy. Even couples in extreme distress, who have been in painful dynamics for years, can experience lasting healing and relief.

Sue’s first book for consumers, Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, published in 2008, just achieved the distinction of selling over a million copies. All couples should have it on their required reading list.