Remembering Susan Johnson, co-founder of Emotionally-Focused Therapy

Thursday, April 25, 2024.

In Memoriam: Sue Johnson, Visionary Co-Founder of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy…

With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Sue Johnson, a visionary pioneer in the field of couples therapy, who passed away at the age of 76 on April 23, 2024.

As the co-founder of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Sue's profound impact on the lives of countless humans and families is awesome and utterly immeasurable…

Sue's journey in psychology began with a deep-seated curiosity about the intricacies of human relationships. Her compassionate nature and relentless pursuit of understanding led her to develop EFT, a therapeutic approach that fundamentally transformed how we view love, attachment, and emotional connection.

Livia Kent sent me some marvelous examples of what a power and a force she was for human connection…

Over the years, Sue Johnson enriched our community in countless ways. Here are just a few of her key contributions—a video mosaic of her intelligence, wit, grace, and warmth I wanted to share with my gentle readers.

Networker Lifetime Achievement Award (Symposium 2022)

Recently, Sue received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Psychotherapy Worker Symposium, where colleagues honored her storied career and reveled in her emotion-filled acceptance speech…

Are You There for Me? Understanding the Foundations of Couples Conflict (September/October 2006)

This is Sue’s lively, in-depth account of the genesis of EFT, the obstacles she overcame as she delved into researching emotion, and how she changed the landscape of couples therapy.

My First Client, My Greatest Teacher (Symposium 2018)

Sue’s humor and generosity were in full effect at this storytelling event, in which she captivated the audience with her tale of Lee, a client who wouldn’t speak or swallow, but taught her to find her own compassionate voice as a therapist.

The Dance of Sex (January/February 2016)

A classic example of how Sue could beautifully weave her love of tango into her passion for helping couples “learn to really dance together, whether in bed or anywhere else.”

An Emotionally-Focused Path to Healing Trauma (September/October 2023)

In Sue’s most recent interview for the magazine, she details her deep belief that working with relationships and emotions is the key to healing trauma.

The Best Love Story Ever (May/June 2019)

As thought-provoking as usual, Sue asks why attachment science hasn’t offered a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet? So she does here in this video.

At the heart of Sue's work was her unwavering belief in the power of love and the importance of secure emotional bonds.

Through EFT, she provided couples with a roadmap to navigate the complexities of their relationships, helping them forge deeper connections and stronger bonds.

In addition to her contributions to the field of psychology, Dr. Johnson was also known for her warmth, creativity, compassion, and dedication to her clients.

Sue was deeply committed to helping others and was known for her ability to connect with people on a deep level. Dr. Susan Johnson was perhaps the most significant single thought leader/ clinician in science-based couples therapy.

The news of Dr. Sue Johnson’s passing has been predictably met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from colleagues, friends, and clients alike.

Many phones are ringing this morning as those who knew her take stock of their loss. Many of us in the wider Community of Practice have already expressed gratitude for her contributions to couples therapy and her impact on our lives on our blogs and in public statements.

Final thoughts

Sue's legacy extends far beyond her clinical practice.

As a prolific author and educator, she shared her insights and teachings with therapists and couples worldwide. Her books, including "Hold Me Tight" and "Love Sense," continue to inspire and guide couples on their journey to stronger, more fulfilling relationships.

Sue Johnson's compassionate spirit and her groundbreaking work in couples therapy leave an indelible mark on the field and the countless lives she touched. As a clinician interested in working with religious and spiritual couples, Sue delighted me when she re-stated her science in a book for Christian couples, and helped me to appreciate how a spiritual family system can contain such much profound possibility.

Her legacy will continue to inspire endless future generations of therapists and couples, reminding us of the transformative power of love and human connection.

We will miss her profoundly… But her magnificent, painstaking work abides.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed