Emotionally focused therapy / EFT-A11-2
Cycle and External Stress — Practice worksheet
Add work, racism, disability access, money, or caregiving pressures to the cycle map without using them to excuse harm.
15 minutes · Worksheet · Adults; supported use as appropriate
Fictional example: A changing shift schedule leaves Alex and Sam with less predictable time together.
Use an ordinary or fictional example, with a clinician when appropriate. External pressures can intensify the relational loop.
1. Choose a workable example
Use the fictional example below or an ordinary situation of your choosing. Keep identifying details out of shared copies.
2. Try the practice
Add work, racism, disability access, money, or caregiving pressures to the cycle map without using them to excuse harm.
3. Compare possibilities
Generate at least two interpretations or options. Mark what you know, what you are guessing, and what remains outside your control.
4. Decide together
Which pressure needs practical support alongside relational work? Choose one small action, a support request, or no action. Review the fit with your clinician when relevant.
Prompts for this resource
- My chosen or fictional situation, and what I know about it:
- My response to the practice task above:
- Which pressure needs practical support alongside relational work?
- An optional next step, support, adaptation, or reason to stop:
Conceptual background
What is EFT? — International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy
Background on the approach only. Original exercises and wording are by More Than Therapy with AI assistance; the source does not validate or endorse these materials.