SJ

Susan M. Johnson

Also known as: Dr. Sue Johnson

Alliant International University, International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy, University of British Columbia, University of London, Ottawa Couple and Family Institute

ORCID iD 0000-0002-0592-8428
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About

Dr. Sue Johnson is an author, clinical psychologist, researcher, professor, popular presenter and speaker and a leading innovator in the field of couple therapy and adult attachment. Sue is the primary developer of Emotionally
Focused Couples and Family Therapy (EFT), which has demonstrated its effectiveness in over 30 years of peer-reviewed clinical research.
Sue Johnson is founding Director of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT), Distinguished Research Professor at Alliant University in San Diego, California, and Professor, Clinical Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia, Canada, as well as Professor Emeritus, Clinical Psychology, at the University of Ottawa, Canada.
Dr. Johnson has received a variety of awards acknowledging her development of EFT and her significant contribution to the field of couple and family therapy and adult attachment. Sue was appointed in 2017 as a Member of the Order of Canada, the country’s highest civilian honor recognizing outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to Canada. In
2016, she was named Psychologist of the Year by APA, and has been honored by AAMFT for her Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Couple and Family Therapy.
As author of the best-selling book, Hold Me Tight, Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, Sue Johnson created for the general public, a self-help version of her ground-breaking research about relationships — how to enhance them, how to repair them and how to keep them. This best seller has been adapted and developed into a relationship education and enhancement program. This Hold Me Tight program has been translated into numerous languages and also adapted for specific groups such as for couples facing heart disease, for families with teens, and for Christian couples, and is also offered in an online format.
Her book, Love Sense, The Revolutionary New Science of Romantic Relationships outlines the new logical understanding of why and how we love — based on new scientific evidence and cutting-edge research. Explaining that romantic love is based on an attachment bond, Dr. Johnson shows how to develop our “love sense” — our ability to develop long-lasting relationships.
Sue's newest book, Attachment Theory in Practice: EFT with Individuals, Couples and Families, shows the promise of attachment science in terms of making sense of and repairing our most precious relationships and thriving as strong resilient individuals. Attachment science offers us the most potent model for therapeutic change, especially when dealing with anxiety and depression, and that, of all models of intervention, EFT most closely captures the essence of the attachment perspective. It targets the defining feature of survival-oriented human connection, namely strong emotion, and systematically shapes core bonding interactions with others.
Dr. Johnson’s best known professional books include, The Practice of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: Creating Connection (3rd Edition, 2019) and Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy with Trauma Survivors (2002).
Sue trains counselors in EFT worldwide and consults to the over 80 international institutes and affiliated centers who practice EFT. Her relationship education and enhancement programs are used extensively by the military to support soldiers and families both in the US and in Canada .
Sue lives in Victoria, BC, with her husband, adores Argentine tango and enjoys kayaking on Canada’s many lakes.

Employment

  • University of Ottawa Adjunct Scientist
    2014 - 2018
  • Alliant International University Distinguished Research Professor
    2009 - Present
  • University of Ottawa Acting Director
    2005 - 2006
  • Alliant International University - San Diego Visiting Research Professor
    2001 - 2008
  • International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy Co-founder, Director
    1999 - Present
  • Ottawa Couple and Family Institute Director
    1999 - Present
  • University of Ottawa Full Professor
    1995 - 2015
  • University of Ottawa Cross-appointed Professor
    1990 - 2015
  • Ottawa Hospital Director
    1988 - 2000
  • University of Ottawa Associate Professor
    1988 - 1991
  • University of Ottawa Assistant Professor
    1984 - 1988
  • University of British Columbia Teaching Assistant
    1981 - 1984
  • Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre Counsellor, Head of School Program
    1974 - 1980

Education

  • University of British Columbia Doctorate
    ? - 1984
  • University of British Columbia M.A.
    ? - 1980
  • University of London Diploma
    ? - 1969
  • University of Hull B.A.
    ? - 1968

Projects & Funding

Projects & funding information is unavailable.

Publications (146)