ABSTRACT
Dynamic Emotion Focused Therapy (DEFT), developed by Susan Warren Warshow, emerged from two decades of clinical observation, client feedback, and study of the literature regarding the effects of dysregulated shame reactions on the therapeutic alliance and outcome. DEFT interventions place shame sensitivity at the forefront, especially when dealing with the barriers to core feelings and emotional intimacy, i.e., toxic forms of shame, anxiety, guilt, and self-protective strategies (SAGSS). The approach seeks to transfer the therapist's compassion for the client's relational trauma through embodied and verbal responses that allow the client to internalize self-compassion. DEFT views ALL feelings as valuable, neither positive nor negative, but rather having a purpose. All interventions seek to convey compassion, safety, and respect through verbal and non-verbal embodied responses.
