Emotion-Focused Couples’ Communication Program

About the Book

There is no perfect marriage. In all relationships, there will be stages of fluctuations. Intimacy and understanding may not always remain at a high level. Couples may sometimes feel that they are living with strangers, their passion ebbing out like a receding tide, and they may feel trapped in the same old arguments over finance or kids. And it is normal too. Life may seem to go in a monotonously boring way with all its daily stresses propelling emotional distance between the partners and ushering in boredom in the bedroom. However, the problem arises when partners neglect or fail to address these fluctuations in a constructive and positive manner. This will lead them to coldness and distance, conflicts of interests, disagreements in decisions, aggressiveness and violence in communication, even to the point of physical aggression, and ultimately, to the degeneration and dissolution of marriage and family. EFCCP proposes a novel style of communication based on Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg and Emotionally Focused Therapy by Johnson. The program will teach the couples how to engage in a compassionate communication and how to relate to their own feelings and needs as well as to that of their partners in a constructive manner, leading to reconnection and healing.

About the Author

Dr. Joshy Jacob Vazhappilly, is a Catholic Religious Priest belonging to the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI). He has been active in Social upliftment of the Tribals and aboriginals in the hilly region of Manikgarh Hills in the State of Maharashtra, India for twelve years as a licensed social worker. He holds a Mastoral degree in English Literature from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and another in Social Work from Nagpur University, Nagpur, M. S., India. In 2012 he arrived in Philippines to pursue his doctorate in Clinical Psychology in the University of Santo Tomas, Manila. In collaboration with Dr. Marc, Eric, S. Reyes Dr. Joshy conducted his first experimental study ‘Emotion-Focused Couples’ Communication Program (EFCCP)’ with the distressed couples in 2016 and on November 25, 2016 successfully defended his Doctoral thesis and graduated in Clinical Psychology. His research articles have appeared in the journals like Indian Journal of Positive Psychology (IJPP), Psychological Studies (PS), and Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy (JOCP). His research interests include the fields of Marriage and Family, Couples’ Communication and Effective Parenting. He is the Founder-Director of SAMVAAD, a Center for Dialogue, Counseling and Psychotherapy.