Current Projects
Emotion-focused therapy vs. cognitive-behavioural therapy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder
This study is a randomized controlled trial comparing emotion-focused therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder in a counselling in primary care (CIPC) setting. Potential participants for the study are screened during routine assessments by CIPC therapists using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder – 7 (GAD-7) self-report scale, and after assessment by the research team, using the research versions of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5-RV), are randomly allocated to either EFT or CBT conditions for 16-20 sessions of therapy. Participants (n=60) are assessed at pre-therapy, 16-week, end-therapy and at 6-month follow up. 10 CIPC therapists from CIPC counselling centres in Dublin, Meath, Louth and Cavan, have been trained to participate in the trial. The project is funded with a grant from the Health Research Board and is conducted in collaboration with the Health Service Executive Counselling In Primary Care Service. The project is a feasibility study which, if outcomes are promising, will contribute to the planning of a definitive trial.
Study protocol: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-018-2892-0
Emotion-focused therapy as a transdiagnostic treatment for depression, anxiety and related disorders: An initial randomised control trial
This treatment development study, in the form of a randomized controlled trial, compares a transdiagnostic EFT protocol (EFT-T) with waitlist, in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and related psychological difficulties including obsessive-compulsive and post-traumatic stress disorder. The study is a collaboration with the Institute of Emotion-Focused Therapy Ireland, a city-centre based psychology and counselling clinic. Potential participants seek referral to the study via their GP and are assessed by a member of the research team using the research version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5-RV). Participants are randomly allocated to either EFT-T or waitlist (with delayed intervention beginning at 16 weeks). Participants (n=40) are assessed at pretherapy, 16-week, end-therapy and at 6-month follow up. Participants are also asked to complete some measures before each session and are interviewed post-therapy about their experience (e.g., helpful, challenging, or hindering aspects of therapy). All sessions are recorded for further process, process-outcome, case-study, and qualitative research. This study is currently recruiting and individuals interested in potentially participating can get information here: http://www.ieft.ie/research
Study Registration: http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN11430110
Transforming emotional vulnerability in couples’ therapy
This research is a case study following one couple's course of EFT for couples with an experienced EFT therapist. The study tracks the moment-by-moment transformation of emotion and interaction between the couple to see how they change over the course of therapy. Qualitative descriptive analysis will be used along with several quantitative measures.
EFT for GAD symptoms in student population
The aims of this study are to contribute to the growing literature investigating the use of Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) for anxiety symptoms. Specifically, it aims to examine the efficacy of EFT as described by Timulak & McElvaney (2018) in reducing worry; a cardinal feature of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Additionally, this study aims to examine the efficacy of brief EFT in a university Student Counselling Service; a population in which anxiety is highly prevalent. The study is a mixed method design using semi-structured interviews and the GAD-7 as a primary outcome measure.
Previous Projects
Emotion-focused therapy for patients with breast cancer in a psycho-oncology service
This study carried out in collaboration with the psycho-oncology service at St. Luke’s Hospital, Rathgar, Dublin aimed to develop a variant of Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) for Co-morbid Anxiety and Depression (CAD) in women with breast cancer. Participant suitability for participation was based on their initial intake assessment, their score on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; Zigmond & Snaith, 1983) and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders, Research Version, Patient Edition (SCID-I/P; First, Spitzer, Gibbon & Williams, 2002). Participants underwent 14-21 sessions of therapy. Quantitative pre-post outcome measures were completed pre, mid, post, and six-month follow up. Qualitative data were collected at the end of each session from clients and at the end of treatment from both clients and therapists. All sessions were also recorded for the purposes of analysis. The study was reported as a series of case studies followed by a cross case analysis (Connolly, 2016; Connolly, A., Timulak, L., Hession, N., & Coleman, N., 2014), and it is anticipated that the study will be the basis of further research.
Connolly, A., Timulak, L., Hession, N., & Coleman, N. (2014, October). Emotion Focused Therapy for Patients with Breast Cancer in a Psycho-Oncology Service: A Case Study Investigation. In PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY (Vol. 23, pp. 183-184).
Emotion-focused therapy for generalized anxiety disorder: An exploratory study in a primary care psychology setting
This treatment development study, carried out in collaboration with a HSE Primary Care Psychology service and Prof. Leslie Greenberg (York University, Toronto) was funded by a grant from the Health Research Board. The study involved assessing pre–post outcomes and 6-month follow-up of emotion-focused therapy for GAD, supplemented by qualitative post-therapy client accounts of helpful and unhelpful aspects of therapy and changes reported since therapy started. Fourteen clients were assessed on several measures focusing on GAD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and general psychological functioning. Quantitative pre–post and 6-month follow-up data indicated large effect sizes. Qualitative data captured changes in emotional functioning, anxiety, self-acceptance, self-confidence, and self-understanding. Clients reported as helpful both relational aspects of the work and in-depth experiential tasks, although some found the experiential aspect of the work difficult. The findings supported further investigation of EFT as a treatment for GAD, leading to the above-described randomised controlled trial comparing the EFT with CBT in the treatment of GAD.
Link to paper: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2017-55835-004