Check the answers below that you think are typical EFT therapist responses to the non-accepting reactions of the partner: (more than one correct answer)

Write a brief statement validating Len’s (observing partner’s) initial reactions and then refocus on Jody’s disclosures:

The therapist may focus on the word “scared,” saying to the Len, “Could you come back here a minute and, Len, could you help me? What’s it like to hear Jody say how scared she is, that she feels like she can’t ever say anything right?” The husband then responds by saying, “I don’t know. I guess I feel stuck. I feel bad for her, but I don’t know what to do. She says she feels scared, but she won’t talk. I’m at a complete loss as to what to do.” Write a brief statement using evocative responding and heightening to unfold and heighten the husband’s experience of feeling “stuck.”

When Jody says that she is scared because of never getting it right with Len, he has “no clue” as to how to approach her without making matters worse and having her “get crabby or withdraw.” Len expresses that he feels “stuck,” not knowing how to approach her. Tie Len’s non-accepting responses to the couple’s negative cycle and attachment experiences. Try including validating, empathic conjecture, and reframing.

Len says that Jody is “unreachable” and “not there.” He says that he feels like “a little kid groveling for attention.” Think of ways to gently challenge Len’s old models of Jody. Try highlighting the new view of her with its attachment implications and possibilities. Identify the type of interventions you used, before checking the answer. Typically, challenging old models includes evocative responding, empathic conjecture, and valida­tion. Consider using these interventions in your answer

In this exercise, help the observing partner process their non-accepting experience.