Couples Therapy Glossary

LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) is the primary US clinical credential for couples and family therapy. LMFTs complete a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy, 2,000–4,000 supervised clinical hours, and a state licensing exam. They are the practitioners best trained specifically for relational and couples work.

Asynchronous therapy (async therapy) is text-based communication between a client and therapist that does not happen in real time. The client leaves a message; the therapist reads and responds within a defined window (typically 24–48 hours on weekdays). It is distinct from live text chat (synchronous).

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is an attachment-based couples therapy model developed by Dr. Sue Johnson. It addresses the emotional bond between partners and has a strong evidence base, with 70–75% of couples showing significant improvement and 90% reporting improvement.

Evidence-based therapy (EBT) refers to therapeutic approaches that have been validated through peer-reviewed research, typically randomized controlled trials (RCTs). For couples therapy, the main evidence-based models are Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT).

The Gottman Method is a research-derived approach to couples therapy developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, based on 40+ years of relationship research. It identifies predictors of relationship breakdown (the Four Horsemen) and a framework for building relationship health (the Sound Relationship House).