Dynamic Emotion Focused Therapy

Developed by Susan Warren Warshow, LCSW, LMFT

“While embracing cutting edge research, I shall always view psychotherapy as an art as much as a science. I never want to lose the sense of wonder, beauty and spirit in deep human connection. There will always be within me a sense of awe and humility for that which can never be entirely known. Teasing out the variables involved in successful outcomes will keep us busy for lifetimes.” Susan Warshow

How it works: Humans protect themselves from emotional pain by nature. When feelings are chronically dysregulated due to inadequate attachment experiences, self-protective barriers and patterns form that are highly damaging to self and relationships.

The DEFT therapist seeks to form a compassionate partnership to move beyond distancing defensive process to allow for unrestricted access to one’s emotional self, thereby restoring intimacy, spontaneity and a widening horizon of personal options.

This is accomplished by gradually expanding one's capacity to access those feelings that exist outside of awareness, within the safety of the therapeutic relationship. Most of us believe we are fully experiencing our feelings, but if emotional suffering persists, it is safe to assume that is not the case.

The DEFT therapist attempts to transfer compassion to the neglected parts of the self, through verbal and non-verbal communications. The client's desire and will to know and honor the self in new ways is often activated, serving as a springboard to explore emotions and unearth the wisdom within. The therapist-in-training learns a comprehensive treatment approach that includes an ability to identify and work with subtle, shifting states to open doors to core affect. These include:

Physiological signals of anxiety

Multiple manifestations of shame

Punitive pathways of guilt

Self-protective strategies and defenses

These phenomena provide guidance regarding tempo and focus, leading to rapid psychoneurobiological attunement. Forces that inhibit self-awareness and self-expression are quieted. Careful, mutual, moment-to-moment attention to the client's internal world is a particular form of mindfulness that is central to this path of healing. DEFT reinforces the presence of hope and sense of mastery throughout the therapeutic process, strengthening sense of self and personal agency. Through authenticity and shame-sensitivity, the therapist invites an emotionally intimate therapeutic relationship to emerge.

Informed by advanced training and study as well as years of trial and error, Susan has sought a therapeutic approach that reduces exposure to debilitating shame states, which often occurs when the self becomes the center of focus. The therapist gives caring attention to non-verbal signals, body language, vocal tones, eye gaze, choice of phrase and use of metaphor to promote a felt connection between client and therapist.