60. Slowing Down and Listening for Emotional Cues in Therapy

Welcome back to the Connection Therapy Podcast. In this episode, Brenda shares her reflections on Emotion Focused Therapy and the powerful contributions of Dr. Leslie Greenberg, a tremendous mentor in the field.Brenda walks through what makes this approach stand out from more traditional models. Rather than moving too quickly into problem-solving, EFT asks therapists to slow down and notice what’s happening in the moment. She highlights some of the subtle signs Greenberg points to—like when a client circles around a story, repeats something they’ve said many times before, or suddenly touches on something moving and tender. These moments, though easy to miss, can be invitations into deeper emotions that shift the direction of therapy.The conversation also touches on the role of voice and tone in picking up on emotions, the importance of therapists paying attention to their own feelings during a session, and the challenges of catching these cues when working virtually. Brenda explains why slowing the pace, listening more closely, and making room for both the client’s and therapist’s emotions can create opportunities for lasting change.To close, Brenda offers reflection questions that invite listeners to think about how these ideas show up in their own practice. From noticing the small signals in a client’s words to exploring how to stay emotionally attuned, these prompts are designed to spark meaningful reflection whether you’re on your own, in supervision, or sharing with peers.Enjoying the podcast?There are now playlists for you to navigate to your favorite topics: https://connection-therapy.com/playlistElliott, R., Watson, J. C., Goldman, R. N., & Greenberg, L. S. (2025). Learning emotion-focused therapy: A comprehensive guide., 2nd ed. https://doi-org.pgi.idm.oclc.org/10.1037/0000458-000Johnson, S. (2009). Extravagant emotion: Understanding and transforming love relationships in Emotionally Focused Therapy. In D. Fosha, D. J., Siegel,& M. F. Solomon (Eds.), The healing power of emotion: Affective neuroscience,development & clinical practice (pp. 1-26). New York, NY: Norton.Dr. Sue Johnson information:https://drsuejohnson.com/