Open Search
Open Navigation
scott woolley
Biography

Dr. Scott Woolley is a Distinguished Professor in the Couple and Family Therapy program at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. He is the executive director of the Alliant Couple and Family Clinic and is a founder and Director of the San Diego Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Training and Research Institute for EFT at Alliant (TRI EFT Alliant). Dr. Woolley has trained therapists in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy in many areas of the world, including Canada, Chili, England, Finland, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan, The Netherlands, and throughout the U.S., and works closely with Dr. Susan Johnson, founder of EFT. He also worked with Family Therapy Founders Jay Haley and James Framo earlier in his career.

Dr. Woolley earned a B.S. in Economics and an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University, and a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Tech University. Dr. Woolley is an AAMFT Clinical Member and Approved Supervisor, and a Certified EFT Therapist, Supervisor, and Trainer.

Professional Interests

Emotionally Focused Therapy; couples therapy, courtship, marriage, MFT process and outcome research; observational research; cultural issues in couple relationships; MFT supervision processes; MFT therapy training; religion, chemical dependency

Education and Certifications
  • PhD; Marriage and Family Therapy, Texas Tech University
  • MS; Marriage and Family Therapy, Birgham Young University
  • BS; Economics, Brigham Young University
Courses
  • Advanced MFT Research
  • Ethics, the Law, and MFT: Professional Issues
  • Supervision Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Supervision of Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Advanced Doctoral Seminar: Advanced Marital Therapy
  • Advanced Doctoral Seminar: Effective Practice in MFT
  • Couple Therapy
  • Practicum in MFT
  • Marital & Divorce Therapy
  • Family Therapy Techniques
  • Theories of Marital and Family Therapy
  • Advanced Couple Therapy
  • Interviewing Techniques & Lab
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Johnson, S., & Woolley, S. R. (2009). "Emotionally focused couple therapy: An attachment-based treatment." In G.O. Gabbard (Ed.), Textbook of psychotherapeutic treatments. (pp. 553-579). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
  • Caldwell, B. E., & Woolley, S. R. (2008). "Marriage and family therapists' endorsement of myths about marriage." The American Journal of Family Therapy, 36, 367-387.
  • Caldwell, B. E. & Woolley, S. R. (2008). "Marriage and family therapists' attitudes toward marriage." Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, 7(4), 321-336.
  • Woolley, S. R. (2007). "The revolution in couples therapy." The California Psychologist, 40 (1), 12-15.
  • Caldwell, B. E., Woolley, S. R., & Caldwell, C. J. (2007). "Preliminary estimates of cost-effectiveness for marital therapy." Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 33(3), 392-405.
  • Reid, R. & Woolley, S. R. (2006). "Using emotionally focused therapy for couples to resolve attachment ruptures created by hypersexual behavior." Journal of Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity, 13, 219-239.
  • Woolley, S. R. & Johnson, S. (2006). "Creating secure connections: Emotionally focused therapy." Japanese Journal of Addiction & Family, 23 (2), 329-346.
  • Johnson, S., Bradley, B., Furrow, J., Lee, A., Palmer, G., Tilley, D., & Woolley, S. R. (2005). Becoming an EFT therapist: The workbook. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
  • Woolley, S. R. & Johnson, S. (2005). "Creating secure connections: Emotionally focused couples therapy." In J. Lebow (Ed.), Handbook of clinical family therapy (pp.384-405). New York: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Woolley, S. R. (2004). Interview with Dr. Scott R. Woolley. Japanese Journal of Addiction & Family, 21(3), 241-247.
  • Woolley, S. R. (2002). "In memory of James L. Framo: A personal note." Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 28 (1), 3-4.
  • Woolley, S. R., Butler, M. H., & Wampler, K. S. (2000). "Unraveling change in therapy: Three different process research methodologies." American Journal of Family Therapy, 28 (4), 311-329.
  • Woolley, S. R. (2000). "Becoming an AAMFT approved supervisor." AAMFT-CA News, 8(2), 1-1.
  • Woolley, S. R. (1996). "Enactments in couple therapy: A process-oriented investigation." CAL-AAMFT News, 4(4), 1-4.
  • Guanipa, C. L. & Woolley, S. R. (2000). "Gender bias in therapists' conceptualization of couple difficulty." American Journal of Family Therapy, 28(2), 181-192.