Healing Affairs and Repairing Attachment Injuries – Leanne Campbell and David R Fairweather

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Recent surveys suggest that almost half of all couples can expect to face challenges associated with extramarital affairs (sexual and emotional) at some point in their marriage. As all couples therapists know, these attachment injuries are difficult to overcome, especially when compounded by feelings of devastation, betrayal, and a profound sense of loss. But take heart! As part of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Attachment Injury Resolution Model (AIRM) has been proven to be a powerful and accessible road map to guide repair, resolution, and a strengthening of relational bonds. In this recording, you’ll learn how to help couples recreate a safe haven and redefine a new narrative for their relationship.

1. Articulate when and how to work with couples in resolving attachment injuries in stages one and two EFT. 
2. Apply the Attachment Injury Resolution Model in session. 
3. Explain how to track and attend to the potential role of shame as a potential barrier to moving through the model. 
4. Describe how to work with partners, both intrapsychically and relationally, with particular attention to working with emotion in assisting couples in moving through the process of attachment-injury resolution. 
5. Assess how to anchor the processes of grief and shame resolution, both with regard to AIRM, and in the context of EFT more generally.

Definition of an Attachment Injury in EFT (Dr. Susan Johnson)

How to work with couples in addressing attachment injuries in Stage One (De-escalation) of EFT

• Assessment as it pertains in particular to gaining an attachment history, and identifying the history leading to the attachment injury (specifically, the affair) 
• Tracking the negative cycle in the context of the attachment injury, as well as more generally with respect to relationship history 
• Using the steps of the “EFT Tango” as a means of accessing and processing primary/deeper emotion 

Describe and demonstrate (with video) how to work with partners, both intrapsychically and relationally, to facilitate and carry forward healing/bonding moments as an antidote to the negative interactional cycle

Markers for when to work with couples in resolving attachment injuries 

Steps of the Attachment Injury Resolution/Repair Model (AIRM) 

Application of the Attachment Injury Resolution/Repair Model (AIRM)

• The key roles of pacing and clinical decision-making will be discussed in the context of the Attachment Injury Resolution/Repair Model (AIRM) 
• Videos will be used to demonstrate the moment-to-moment processing required to address attachment injuries 
• Explain and demonstrate (through video) how to track and attend to the role of shame as a potential barrier to moving through the AIR model 
• Explain and demonstrate (through video) how to track and attend to the role of grief/loss as another potential barrier to moving through the AIR model

Assess how to anchor the processes of grief and shame resolution, both with regard to AIRM, and in the context of the EFT model more generally

• How to assess where the clinician is in the model 
• How to address lingering impacts 
• How to consolidate gains and guide the couple in continuing to build trust post-EFT