Sue Johnson, Ed.D.

Dr. Sue Johnson is one of the originators and the main proponent of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), now one of the best validated couples interventions in North America.

She is Professor of Clinical Psychology at The University of Ottawa, Director of the Ottawa Couple and Family Institute Inc. and the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy. She received her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of British Columbia in 1984. She is a registered psychologist in the province of Ontario, Canada, and a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, the Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy and the Journal of Family Psychology. She is a Distinguished Research Professor in the Marital & Family Therapy Program at Alliant University in San Diego.

Her 2004 book (2nd Ed), The Practice of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy: Creating Connection (Brunner Rouledge) is the basic text on EFT for couples. She is the senior editor of the 2003 book Attachment Processes in Couples Therapy (Guilford Press) and the 1994 book The Heart of the Matter (Guilford Press). Her 2002 book on couples therapy with trauma surviours (Guilford Press) applies EFT to different kinds of trauma. Her most recent edited book is the EFT Workbook, Becoming an EFT Couples Therapist (2005 Brunner Routledge).

Sue consults to varied groups such as the U.S. Army Chaplins and the N.Y. Fire Department counsellors and is an invited member of the APA Division 43 Family Psychology Task Force on competence and standards in family therapy.

Sue is an Approved Supervisor for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and is internationally known for her workshops and presentations on practice, theory and research in couple therapy, adult attachment and emotion in psychotherapy. She maintains a private practice and lives in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband and two children.

Dr. Johnson has received a variety of awards particularly acknowledging her development of Emotionally Focused Therapy and her significant contribution to the field of couple therapy. They include the Research in Family Therapy Award, Awarded by the American Family Therapy Academy-2005; the Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Marriage & Family Therapy Award
Awarded by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy-2000; Fellow of the American Psychological Association (Family Division), Dr. Johnson was made a Fellow in recognition of her contribution to this area-2003; Excellence in Education Teaching Award, Awarded by the University of Ottawa-2002; and YMCA Women of Distinction Award, Awarded for work in Health and Well-Being-2001.

Dr. Johnson has published numerous books, chapters and articles in the field of relationships and therapy. Her most recent book is written for the general public and is entitled Hold Me Tight – Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love.