Efficacy of Transdiagnostic Emotion‐Focused Therapy in the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms: A Quasi‐Experimental Study

ABSTRACT Objectives This study is among the first to assess the efficacy of teletherapy‐delivered Transdiagnostic Emotion‐Focused Therapy (EFT‐T) for university students with depression and anxiety symptoms. Methods Therapy was offered in a 12–16 session format. Forty students with depression and anxiety symptoms (diagnosed using the Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview) were assigned to eight certified therapists trained in EFT‐T. Outcomes were assessed using several measures, with the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale, Overall Depression Severity and Impairment Scale and the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation—Outcome Measure being the primary outcomes. The design consisted of a baseline assessment and a 4‐week waiting period before the start of therapy and was followed by assessment at week 20 and 6‐month and 12‐month follow‐ups. Results The EFT‐T showed large pre–post changes and similar outcomes across all measures, with these benefits largely retained at 6‐month and 12‐month follow‐up. Conclusions This study suggests that EFT‐T can be a promising treatment for depression and anxiety symptoms in a clinical population of university students. Further investigation is needed to establish the potential of EFT‐T as a treatment for the wider population with the above presentations.