Strengthening Relationships Through Evidence-Based Family Therapy
Strong relationships are built on trust, effective communication, and collaboration when facing challenges. But even the healthiest couples and families face periods of tension, miscommunication, or emotional disconnection. In those moments, seeking therapy can be a decisive step forward, especially when grounded in evidence-based practices.
Evidence-based family therapy is a treatment approach supported by rigorous scientific research. These methods have been tested through clinical studies and consistently shown to help individuals, couples, and families experience measurable improvements in their mental and emotional well-being.
Aspiring to a career in marriage and family therapy requires understanding and implementing the evidence-based techniques essential to helping clients build lasting, healthy relationships.
Why Evidence-Based Therapy Matters
The core principle of evidence-based family therapy is simple: use what works. Evidence-based practice combines three essential elements: the best available research, the therapist’s clinical expertise, and the client’s unique needs and preferences.
This approach ensures that the strategies used in therapy are grounded in proven methods and applied in a manner that suits the unique situation of each couple or family.
By focusing on therapies with a proven track record, marriage and family therapists can confidently support clients through various challenges. These include issues such as communication breakdowns, emotional disconnection, and more serious concerns like anxiety or past trauma.
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy is one of the most widely used evidence-based approaches in couples therapy. Developed by Dr. Sue Johnson and Dr. Leslie Greenberg, EFT helps partners identify and change negative patterns of interaction that contribute to relationship distress. It focuses on improving attachment bonds and creating secure, lasting emotional connections.
EFT guides couples to express their needs and emotions more openly, while also learning how to respond to each other with empathy and care. Through this process, couples learn to replace cycles of conflict or withdrawal with healthier and more supportive interactions.
Research indicates that EFT results in significant and lasting improvements in relationship satisfaction, with many couples reporting increased emotional intimacy and decreased conflict.
Solution-Focused Therapy
While EFT addresses emotional patterns and attachment needs, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) takes a different but powerful approach. Rather than focusing on problems or past issues, SFBT helps clients identify and build on their existing strengths. The method encourages couples and families to envision their desired outcomes and take small, achievable steps toward them.
SFBT is especially helpful for clients who may feel stuck or overwhelmed. It fosters a sense of agency and hope, empowering people to recognize what’s already working in their relationships and to build on those successes.
A Path to Stronger, Healthier Relationships
Both EFT and SFBT are examples of powerful tools available to practitioners of evidence-based therapy that can promote healing and growth. These methods enhance communication and conflict resolution, strengthening the emotional bonds that form the foundation of lasting relationships.
For students in a graduate Marriage and Family Therapy program, learning to apply these research-supported techniques is more than an academic exercise. It offers preparation for truly transformative work. As therapists, graduates are equipped to make a lasting impact on the lives of couples and families, helping them navigate challenges and rediscover connection.
Touro University Worldwide’s Online MA in Marriage and Family Therapy
Touro University Worldwide’s online Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program prepares students to become compassionate, effective clinicians through a curriculum grounded in evidence-based family therapy practice.
Designed to meet California licensure requirements, the program equips students with the skills to support individuals, couples, and families through life’s challenges. Coursework emphasizes research-supported therapeutic approaches and ethical practice, ensuring graduates are ready to make a meaningful impact in diverse communities.
With its flexible online learning and strong clinical training component, the MFT program at TUW empowers students to promote lasting, positive change in relationships and family systems.
