Table 1 Participant eligibility
Inclusion criteria | |
1. Couples who have been in an exclusive relationship and living together for at least 1 year | |
2. Both members of the couple must be over 25 years old (there is no upper limit for participants’ age) | |
3. Both members are willing to participate in all aspects of the study, including completing questionnaires, being videotaped in therapy, attending therapy, and participating in the follow-up after treatment has been completed | |
4. Both members of the couple are native Spanish speakers and have lived in one of the included countries (Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, or Spain) for a minimum of 5 years prior to participating | |
5. The average score of the couple’s dyadic adjustment, measured by the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS, see the “Outcomes {12}” section below) falls between mildly (80) to moderately (100) distressed | |
Exclusion criteria | |
Either partner: | |
1. Is receiving current treatment through psychotherapy at the time of recruitment or anticipates doing so outside of the proposed study within the next 6 months | |
2. Has been previously diagnosed with any psychotic, somatoform, or dissociative disorder | |
3. Is taking medication known to treat psychosis, somatoform, psychotic or dissociative disorders or is taking a psychotropic medication | |
4. Is misusing drugs or alcohol, defined as frequent (more than once a week) and maintained (for more than a year) use that has led to a work or personal problem | |
5. Has a diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental, neurocognitive, personality, or paraphilic disorder | |
6. Reports having been arrested or in prison in the past 3 months | |
7. Reports losing her/his employment due to alcohol or drug-related problems | |
8. Reports an episode of sexual assault (as victim or perpetrator) in their life during the last 2 years | |
9. Reports current physical or sexual violence in their relationship | |
10. Is currently involved in an affair which she/he is unwilling to disclose to her/his partner and/or terminate | |
11. Has or anticipates circumstances which will make attending therapy sessions unlikely, such as major surgery expected in the next 3 months, or moving to a new area in the near future, etc. | |
12. Is a psychotherapist in active clinical practice | |
13. Has a direct knowledge of EFT because they are currently receiving training or have been trained in EFT |