I have been fine-tuning ABC Therapy, (ABCT), using it with individuals, couples, and families for over 5 years. It is essentially a new model of psychotherapy, combining aspects of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT).

ABCT sessions focus on client communication patterns. These patterns are made up of the interplay between Affect, Behavior, and Cognition. (In plain English, of course, these are Feelings, Actions, and Thinking.)

I work with clients to develop an actual map of their interactive processes, both internal and interpersonal. We look together at their experience in all three ABC areas to learn how each one of those areas affects and is affected by the other two.

Once we have developed this map, we have a clear picture of the repeating circular pattern in which they are stuck and which has brought them in for therapy.  Having this clearly defined, client-driven map gives us multiple entry points into the Pattern to shift it from a vicious cycle to a virtuous cycle.

With Individuals:
ABC Therapy maps an individual’s internal and interpersonal Pattern. For example, negative self-talk, which can lead to low self esteem, which can lead to depression or substance abuse, which can lead to shame and social withdrawal, which can lead to more negative self-talk, to lower self esteem, etc.

With Couples:
ABC  Therapy maps the Repeating Circular Pattern between the two partners. In one very common marital pattern, the husband may try to avoid conflict by distancing, which can lead the wife to think he doesn’t care, which can lead her to criticize his distancing, which can lead him to tell himself he’s failing once more, which can push him to distance more, and so forth, around and around.

These Circular Patterns quickly take on a life of their own since they are non-rational and emotionally driven. As such, they are very hard to change without coaching and are quite destructive to both individuals and to their relationship.

By focusing on all three areas of people’s experience: Feelings, Actions, and Thoughts,  ABC Therapy appears to be more effective and efficient with couples than CBT and equally as effective as EFT.  CBT has traditionally employed  cognitive and behavioral interventions to alter marital interactional patterns that are essentially driven by intense emotions.  EFT has worked to drop below defensive thinking and behavior to help people focus on and express feelings. Each model is good as far as it goes, but ABC Therapy is better because it is the first therapy that includes all three domains of people’s experience. In addition, it does not see any of the three areas as defensive or as resistance.  By initially affirming each person in their preferred ABC area, it enhances their willingness to engage in therapy while they gain more comfort in the other areas.

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