It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Sue Johnson on April 23, 2024. Dr. Johnson was a beloved teacher, therapist, author, and the pioneering innovator of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Her remarkable contributions have left an indelible mark on the field of therapy and the lives of countless individuals, couples, and families worldwide. She was also a cherished friend whose warmth and wisdom profoundly touched all who knew her.
Full Obituary
World renowned psychologist, best selling author, professor, researcher, creator of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), amazing partner, incredible mum, gardener, feminist, tango dancer, lover of nature, student of history, Sue lived with cancer for three years. On April 23, 2024, that journey ended.
Sue was passionate about her work, passionate about her family and friends – and her dogs. She loved teaching and treasured her students.
Sue was the recipient of various awards and was most proud of receiving the Order of Canada from her adopted country.
Sue was born on December 19, 1947, and grew up in Kent, England, staying there until completing her undergraduate degree from the University of Hull. Soon thereafter, she moved to Vancouver, Canada, where she completed her master’s degree and subsequently her doctorate from the University of British Columbia.
Wanting to determine how best to help couples repair conflicts, strengthen their relationships and improve their mental health, she viewed hundreds of hours of tapes of therapy sessions to find the key elements that effected the difference and changed peoples’ lives. Her resulting thesis became the core of EFT – a humanistic and experiential model of therapy which has now become the couple therapy with the best empirically-validated results in the world. Along with her colleagues, during (and after) her tenure as a professor at the University of Ottawa, she further developed EFT to demonstrate its equal relevance and value for individual (EFIT) and family (EFFT) therapy, grounded in attachment science and the strength of emotional connection.
Sue leaves a substantial body of work – numerous books, articles, chapters, teaching videos, interviews, podcasts, and her first work of fiction, Edgar & Elouise. Her first book for the general public, Hold Me Tight, Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, has sold over one million copies, been translated into over 30 languages, and been developed into relationship educational programs for both live events and online formats.
Sue believed that to teach and show the power of the EFT therapy model, she needed to not only write and explain it, but that it was also important to illustrate her work. She recorded numerous live therapy sessions that demonstrated the efficacy of EFT for the education of other mental health professionals. Sue wanted others to understand what works and how the power and significance of emotion in peoples’ lives is critical for therapeutic healing and overall health and well being.
Along with her husband, John Douglas, and her colleagues, Gail Palmer and Alison Lee, Sue founded the Ottawa Couple and Family Institute in 1998. Not long after, the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) was established – a worldwide network of mental health professionals united to promote the use and understanding of EFT. Today there are many thousands of therapists who are members, almost 90 certified EFT trainers and about 100 affiliated centres and communities around the world. EFT is taught in over 15 languages and in over 40 countries. Sue often spoke of a key goal in her life – to have an impact. Indeed, she did.
Sue leaves her husband John, her three children, Sarah, Tim and Emma, granddaughter, Amelie and countless friends and colleagues. Sue connected with people wherever she went. Sue taught us how to love. Sue has left the world a better place. May her memory be a blessing upon us all.
The Life of Dr. Sue Johnson – I Was Here!
We are proud to present a video tribute to Dr. Sue Johnson, a visionary whose life and work have transformed the landscape of therapy. This tribute explores her profound contributions to Emotionally Focused Therapy and her lasting impact on the lives of therapists and clients alike. Join us in honouring her legacy as we reflect on her enduring teachings, her heartfelt wisdom, and the deep connections she fostered throughout her extraordinary life.
I was extremely saddened to learn of Dr.Johnson’s death. As a mental health professional I have followed and utilized her work for many years. She has certainly left an indelible mark on thousands if not millions of people- myself included.
Sending heartfelt condolences to her family & friends.
Truly I was deeply saddened to learn of Dr. Sue Johnson’s passing as she touched so many lives including mine. Her contribution to society is immense and so thankful for the enormous legacy she left. Sue was most definitely here!!! She was an incredible role mode and lives forever in my heart and in the hearts of all those who loved her dearly. She lives on in my practice as I daily employ her videos and materials Deepest condolences to her husband and family. Sue was a gift to society, and sadly left us way too soon. She will be deeply missed and grateful she gave us so much.
I am grieving the loss of Sue like I would a family member. She has touched my heart and changed my career in therapy and my own marriage. You will be greatly missed! Sending love to the ones you left behind.
I am so saddened to hear that Sue has died, grieving the thought of her absence but so thankful to have had her as a part of my life. Sue was the only person that validated my pain to help me heal.
I’m so sad to hear of Dr. Sue’s passing. I learned all about EFT in grad school and was lucky enough to win a copy of “Hold Me Tight” a few years ago and she left me the cutest note, referencing my Instagram Bio, about liking dachshunds and karaoke and how we would get along well. May she rest in peace.
Dr. Johnson’s work inspired me and supported me in my work with hundreds of people in my practice. She has given the world a tremendous legacy that will never pass away. I want to send my condolences and prayers for her family. Fly high, Dr. Sue, and dance a perfect tango in heaven.
So sad to hear of Sue’s passing. Loved and benefited from her teaching for many years. Sad to think seeing her live at the BCACC conference last November will be my last time to see her amazing wit and humour and wise and compassionate interventions. Well wishes to her family and loved ones.
Dearest Sue, you have touched and made better the lives of countless numbers of people the world over.
I’m so thankful to have shared wonderful moments of great inspiration, challenge, learning, and laughter. Your wit was infectious and humbling.
Heartfelt love, and blessings Sue. You will never be forgotten.
Rest in Peace and Power. 😢🙏🏼😢
Gosh, what a huge loss. I am so thankful for he and what she has brought to the world of therapy. May her family be comforted knowing what a force she was in the world. It’s very true, she definitely showed up in her life and showed that she was here! Thank you for the beautiful tribute.
Yes, she was here and her impact was amazing! So saddened by the loss!
Broken hearted but so transformed by all she gave. Sail through the heavens with the same light and electricity you shared with so many, amazing teacher and figure. Forever grateful. Simone C. Noosa, Australia.
That was beautiful. Thank you. I feel so lucky to have done my training with Sue, Gail and Alison back in the early 2000s. Such gifted therapists and teachers. Sue will be missed. How lucky the world of couples therapy is today for having her as a brilliant innovator and teacher.
I remember my encounters and conversations with Sue at conferences at which we both taught through the years. She was full of life and a profound compassion for people, with a great and wicked sense of humor and joy. May your work carry on and touch many even after you’re gone, Sue. You were here, indeed.
Thank you to her family for sharing her with all of us in the field of marriage and family therapy. Having listened to her at trainings and getting to talk to her after her presentations was always such a treat! I can’t imagine what her family must be going through! Lots of love to you all!
The legacy of Dr. Sue Johnson exists in the quiet corners of every healing embrace, in the whispers of every mended heart, and in the restored bonds of love. With heavy hearts yet grateful souls, we gather to pay tribute to a luminary whose brilliance illuminated the path to profound emotional connection.
Dr. Sue Johnson, the visionary founder of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), departed, leaving a legacy that transcends time. Her pioneering work revolutionized the landscape of psychotherapy, offering a beacon of hope to countless individuals and couples seeking solace in the depths of their emotional struggles.
Dr. Johnson bestowed upon us the gift of EFT through her unwavering dedication and compassionate spirit. This transformative approach recognized the fundamental importance of secure attachment in fostering healthy relationships. With empathy as her compass and love as her guide, she navigated the intricate terrain of human emotions, illuminating the path to profound healing and connection.
Dr. Johnson’s wisdom extended far beyond the confines of academia; it resonated deeply within the hearts of those she touched. Her gentle yet powerful presence instilled courage in the weary, validation in the invalidated, and hope in the despondent. Her words were not merely academic doctrines but heartfelt mantras that echoed the universal longing for love and belonging.
In her passing, we mourn the loss of a visionary, a mentor, a family member, and a dear friend to many. Yet, as we gather to honor her memory, we find solace in knowing that her legacy lives on in the countless lives she has touched. From the depths of despair to the heights of joy, Dr. Sue Johnson’s influence continues to ripple across the fabric of human experience, reminding us that love is the universal language of healing.
As we bid farewell to a remarkable soul, let us celebrate Dr. Johnson’s legacy with reverence and gratitude. Let us strive to cultivate empathy, nurture connection, and embrace the transformative power of love in all its forms. Though she may no longer walk among us, her spirit remains ever-present, guiding us toward a world where healing knows no bounds and love reigns supreme.
We remember her family and loved ones at this difficult time as they reflect on the void left by the death of dear Dr. Sue Johnson. Her light will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her and in the countless souls you have forever touched.
Vanya,
That is so true and so beautiful!
Karen
Sue has made the most positive difference in my life than anyone else, EFT helped my marriage, my daughters and my profession as a therapist. I am grieving more for losing Sue than I could have imagined. I am proud of assisting in trainings she led and got to see her work in a live session with one of my couples. I love leading the Hold Me Tight workshop which is brilliantly designed. I am sad beyond words.
Sue Johnson’s contribution to the field of psychology can not ever be overstated
i have experienced the evolution of my profession
with both Dr Johnson’s tenacious research and profoundly effective practical application and in addition to highlighting emotions and primary attachment has pivoted a splintered profession towards understanding our basic human need for each other AKA “love”. Thank you Sue
Sue was a True pioneer and gift to our field. I am honored and humbled to have experienced her impact on so many lives, including my own. God Speed
This is sad news to hear.
I am a person unknown to Sue, but one of countless many who have benefited from her work and thanks to her, building towards better in my relationship with my wife. As my wife and I continue the journey, we’re grateful for the body of work Sue created that lives on.
My thoughts are with her family and friends.
Very beautiful tribute! 🙏
Visionary. Trailblazer. Life-Changer! Remembering Sue and cherishing her contribution to the world with her passion, compassion, and authenticity. 💜
Beautiful tribute. My deep condolences and gratitude for her rich legacy . May her spirit live on. ♥️
This is such a sad news. Sue impacted my professional development more than any other theorist or teacher, and I am so grateful to the hope she brought me and the couples I have worked with through mapping the dance of EFT.
The world changed dramatically because of her, and will never be the same without her.
Deeply sorry for the loss of an exceptional teacher and psychotherapist, a profound thinker and a contributor to the wellbeing of innumerable couples and families. Will be remembered for so many and for so long.
Thank you for sharing.
I am so sad to read this. I have seen her live when she cane to NJ to speak to NJPA some 20 years ago. She was a phenomenal teacher, psychologist and
inspiration.. I took her live course/ webinar in EFIT Phase 1 right around the time she was diagnosed and had surgery. She was incredibly brave. She did not miss a beat. She was anxious to come back after her surgery to teach us. She truly had a zest for life and for teaching and helping iothers make true loving connections to ourselves and others I will contnue to honor her with all that I have learned from her teachings and brilliant psychotherapy model. Rest in peace Sue. Sending heartfelt prayers to Sue’s family. May all the love hold you tight. 🙏
May her soul rest in eternal peace 🙏🏾What a wonderful person and what a contribution through her work in this world 🌍 Thank you Sue your legacy will remain forever ♾️
RIP a remarkable woman and teacher. Your legacy will live on. Blessings to your family 😘🙏🏾
Dr. Sue Johnson’s legacy permeates the tender moments of every comforting embrace, the whispered assurances of every healed heart, and the rekindled flames of love’s enduring bonds. With hearts heavy yet souls grateful, we gather to honor a luminary whose brilliance illuminated the path to profound emotional connection.
Dr. Sue Johnson’s departure leaves behind a legacy that defies the boundaries of time. Her groundbreaking creation of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) transformed the landscape of psychotherapy, offering a lifeline to numerous individuals and couples grappling with the depths of emotional turmoil.
Dr. Johnson bestowed upon us the transformative gift of EFT through unwavering dedication and boundless compassion. Her approach recognized the pivotal role of secure attachment in nurturing healthy relationships. With empathy as her guide and love as her North Star, she traversed the intricate terrain of human emotions, leading the way to profound healing and connection.
Dr. Johnson’s wisdom reached far beyond the academic realm; it resonated deeply within the hearts of those she touched. Her gentle yet potent presence infused courage into the weary, validation into the marginalized, and hope into the despondent. Her words weren’t mere scholarly doctrines but heartfelt mantras echoing the universal yearning for love and belonging.
As we mourn the loss of a visionary, mentor, family member, and dear friend, we find solace in the enduring legacy she leaves behind. From despair’s depths to joy’s heights, Dr. Sue Johnson’s influence continues to ripple through the fabric of human experience, reminding us that love is the ultimate language of healing.
In bidding farewell to this remarkable soul, we honor Dr. Johnson’s legacy with reverence and gratitude. Let us endeavor to nurture empathy, foster connection, and embrace love’s transformative power in all its manifestations. Though she may no longer walk among us, her spirit remains an ever-present guide, leading us toward a world where healing knows no bounds and love reigns supreme.
In this challenging time, we hold Dr. Johnson’s family and loved ones close, recognizing the void left by her passing. Her light will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her and the countless souls she forever touched.
Thank you for this beautiful video tribute. Thank you to Dr. Sue Johnson for her amazing contribution to our lives. May she rest in peace.
I am shoked to hear Sue’s soul left her body. Transforming to something else.
I love the video tribune to honor her.
I am a student of her. I didn’t know she was sick. My thought is with her family. Take good care for eachother. With love Iris 💜🕯
What a loss!! Dr Johnson’s work had a profound effect on my clinical practice. Her gifts will carry on!!
What a beautiful tribute to an incredible woman, friend, wife, mother and healer who followed her passion to learn, heal and share her talents worldwide. Tonight, we feel a vacuum but thankfully she has left us her books, videos and podcasts to cherish her ideas and her indomitable energy. Sue’s wonderful laughter, sparkling eyes and quick wit are engraved in our memories. Her spirit will live on through all she touched.
I am so very sad for this great loss. She is such a dynamic soul, teacher, therapist, and friend. My heart goes out to her Family and Loved Ones. May her influence inspire us all to live on and build healthier attachments with those around us. ❤️🙏🏽❤️
Dr. Johnson inspired me to depths of my soul. I remember reading her book for the first time. I fell in love with this emphasis on interaction patterns and I knew I wanted to be like her. I wanted to study everything she published. I packed my EFT book around; my dog even got ahold of it one time and ate a few pages, but I still packed it around dirty and ragged. When I got to see her speak in person it was awe inspiring. I talked with her briefly and wished my luck on my dissertation. She gave me courage to be myself and to keep moving forward. I know many of us share the same story simply because she was such a good human. Authentic and genuine. She will be forever in our hearts forever.
I’m very sad to learn of Sue’s passing. I recently did online EFIT workshop with her and Leeann. Sue was such was wealth of wisdom and kindness. Her amazing work will live on. Condolences to her family.
She was my inspiration. I recognized that I wanted her voice and theories to guide me as I became a family therapist.
Rest in Peace you so deserve it!
Zahvalna za znanje koje nam je darivala ❤️
Nek počiva u miru🙏
You left, but are not gone! We continue to “hold on tight” to your passion and bring it to others! Thank you for your insights in how connecting with one-another in healthy ways brings hope, peace and a deeper sense of love! You A.R.E. appreciated and we love you! Thank you!
Thank you for so much Dr. Sue Johnson. Your voice, your laughter, your teachings will live forever in many people that have passed your teachings and healed from them!
You will always be one of a kind!
Sue will be sorely missed. I’ve benefited from her training in Dallas years ago, got her books, and have hopefully helped others as a result of her passion to help us learn to help. Condolences to her family and friends- and puppies.
I’m so very sorry to lose Dr. Johnson’s voice in the field. I have admired her for so many years. I felt I knew her although I never had the chance to meet her. My condolences to her family, I know she will be missed.
Thanks Dr Sue !
RIP 🙌
Sincere condolences to her entire family. Rest well Dr. Sue Johnson. You have left us a very rich legacy.
So SAD to lose such a wonderful and nice woman. I am very saddened
My heart felt condolences to Dr. Sue Johnson💐
Sue Johnson changed the paradigm in the field of couples and family therapy by bridging the gap between objects relations theory and family systems. She went further than the Gottmans – they said that themselves! – by grabbing attachment theory and research and applying it to adult relationships and then bringing it all into the therapy room.
Her legacy lives on in our collective work and the world and anyone who refers to adult attachment relationships today must be eternally indebted to her work. RIP dearest Sue 🙏🏼💐💐💐
God bless your memory and contribution to our world. May you live on in our minds and change our lives for the best.
My condolences to the Johnsons family even as we celebrate the life of Dr. Sue, the creator of EFT.
What a beautiful and touching tribute.
Thank you Dr Sue Jonhson for having been here. Your legacy will live on in the work a d heart of millions of people throughout the world.
E.
Sue’s work turned mine from pretty darn good to excellent. I am forever grateful for her work, dedication and generosity. My condolences to her family and friends.
Yours,
Terri Mattingly
I send my deep condolences. I am very sad that Sue has passed. I don’t want her to not be here. She means a lot to me although I didn’t meet her. She was a wonderful and warm human being. May peace be on her soul🙏
Vibeke Zacho
Aut. Psykolog. Denmark
I want to express my deepest heartfelt condolences to Sue’s family and loved ones.
May you find comfort and strength in each other during this incredibly difficult time.
Dr. Johnson’s work has been invaluable to me. She was a beacon of hope during my darkest moments. Her courage and remarkable contributions will always be remembered. Even though I never had the opportunity to meet her in person, her impact on my life was profound.
Thank you, Dr. Sue Johnson, for everything.
So sad to hear of the death of Sue. Her significant contribution to the work of thousands of therapists and to the lives of individuals and couples across the world will not be forgotten. My deepest sympathies to her family and colleagues. ❤️
Sue showed every one of us whose lives she touched the profound power of goodness and love in humanity. Long live her deeply vital legacy.
My deepest condolences to Sue’s family and loved ones. She was so incredibly inspirational as a researcher, therapist, educator and all round decent human being. The world has been a better place from Sue being in it.
“You gave humanity the gift of forging loving enduring relationships” and my wife and children thank you personally for your gift which has been profound for us !
What Sue really understood, researched and communicated so well, was the profound need we have as humans to be deeply connected, with heart, soul and mind, to others, particularly in the intimacy of our primary relationships. She has given me, and so many others, validation for our deep humanness, and a means of getting there, so that we need not carry our drive to love, and our need for it, with any shame or reticence. I am eternally grateful for Sue’s teaching and her impact on my life as a lover, and as a therapist. Sue, may you be enfolded in the eternal, embracing love that you so richly deserve.
I was honored to learn the effectiveness of EFT in grad school training. I can still recall seeing her
emotionally connect with clients in her training videos.
Doug Kellenberger
RealMenAreVulnerable.com
My deepest condolences ❤️
May she rest in peace. What remarkable life she lived. Helping people to show up whole heartedly and love without fear.
So Sorry!
I would like to thank for alll kind words that I’ve learned and help us, me and my wife as well as my beloved clients.
We miss Dr. Sue Johnson .
Nelson Simas Costa, http://www.vidas bem-casadas.com
Dear John and Family,
Please accept our sincere and heartfelt condolences. I feel blessed to have had the honour to know and work with her for many years at the University of Ottawa. She was always welcoming and kind with a passion for teaching and therapy that was remarkable. She definitely did leave our school and the world a much better place. Sue will be sorely missed by us all.
May her memory be a blessing,
Cary, Isabelle and family
I am so sorry for your loss, for our loss. What a wonderful human being. Without ever meeting Sue Johnson, she changed my life by allowing me to notice how I am in relationship to others. May her memory be a blessing to all and may she rest in peace. Lovingly, Tina
So sorry to hear of Sue’s death. I am one of the fortunate recipients of her training and highly acclaimed modality. I will treasure what she has added to my life as a therapist and person.
Such a joyful person . I learned so much in her training workshop and after had the delight of dancing with her. Truly a beautiful, warm teacher and person
I am also very sorry for the loss of this vibrant trainer and contributor to EFT and its impact around the world. My condolences to all who knew her, worked with her and where impacted by her work. I am sorry that I did not have the chance to know her and attend her EFT trainings. Despite that, as a member of isEFT, I have followed with great admiration her lasting world-wide contribution to disseminating EFT and for creating a more “emotion-friendly” world. My condolences from Portugal to her family, friends and colleagues.
I’m saddened to hear of Sue’s passing. May her heart rest in eternal peace. I’m trained in EFT and I’m forever indebted to her wisdom and willingness to be a female tail-blazer in therapy landscape. I’m forever grateful. Thank you Dr. Johnson!!
Sue made her mark in this world. Her entire body of work was outstanding. As a marriage and Family counsellor I was blessed to be trained by Sue. She taught the world to LOVE! 💗
I was introduced to the work of Sue Johnson when my husband and I were recommended to an EFT therapist. After the first session, I felt seen and understood, and I was for the first time truly hopeful that we could find a path of greater connection. As a therapist myself, I immediately enrolled in trainings for EFT, and both the work in my own marriage, and the trainings to help my clients have changed my life. It has changed how I see the world, how I see people, and even how I understand God. I have so much deep gratitude in my heart for the life of this woman, and all that she offered so many. I never had the pleasure to meet her- but I feel like I know her through the many years I have learned from her and all she has done to change my life. I am deeply saddened that she is gone, and that the world has lost a very bright light. I am thankful she was here for all these years and that I got to cross paths with her brilliance and generosity.
I’m saddened to hear of Sue’s passing. I had the privilege of crossing paths with her several times. I was also an early recipient of training in EFT and continue to use it in my work with couples. She was a true leader in our field.
Un saludo muy especial a toda la Familia!
Sue, ya esta gozando de la Gloria eterna !! Dios padre la recibió con un ABRAZO MUY ESPECIAL como los que ella siempre aconsejaba dar!!!
With sadness but peace.
Yours,
Víctor Taussig
(Buenos Aires – Argentina)
A truly remarkable woman. So glad I had the privilege of training under Dr. Johnson.
RIP Dr. Sue Johnson. One of my all time favorites. Your legacy continues.
Sue Johnson added so much to our field of marriage and family therapy. She touched me deeply as we were on a teaching Cruise to Alaska, she presented and I administered the continuing education program for Bill Bumberry.
I treasure the picture of us and our husbands having dinner on the boat. I grieve her lost and I will remember the family in prayer in this time of loss.
I am so very saddened to learn of the passing of Sue. I was honored by her life and work. Thank you for being a positive influencer in my life, and the work that I try to do everyday as a therapist.
What a life well lived! She was indeed “here”. She has shaped the way I understand the need for emotional connection above all else. Emotional connection IS intimacy which is what we all crave. I so appreciate being exposed to her material in grad school and it’s wisdom has influenced all of what I do, not just with couples, but with everyone! My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends…..
So saddened to hear of this loss. Yes Sue leaves major ripples behind and dedicated her life to what really
Matters – loving each other. Grateful for her and sending much love and healing to her family.
Condolences to Dr. Sue Johnson’s family. I was lucky to meet Dr. Johnson in a training in Denver, Colorado about 15 years ago. I had never met someone so compassionate and dynamic at the same time. Dr. Johnson’s work with couples and Emotionally Focused Therapy has enriched the training of counselors and psychologists and touched my life and the lives of our trainees over the years. I taught Couples and Family Therapy for graduate students and Dr. Johnson’s work made a significant positive contribution to mental health professionals approaching couples counseling and strengthening couple relationships. She was a pioneer, and her work will stay with us. Dr. Sue Johnson served the mental health profession in a significant manner, helped us understand through her clinical work and research how to strengthen couples’ connection, and impacted thousands of trainees to do good couple’s work. Thank you Sue, you will be missed. Your work stays with us forever.
To the Johnson Family,
My sincerest condolences on the passing of Dr. Sue Johnson who was a mother, grandmother, scholar, trainer, and friend to all in Canada, the US, and worldwide. I am a student in a counseling program at my local university (in New Mexico) and I had the wonderful opportunity to complete the EFIT training via the ICEEFT website under the Dr. Johnson’s leadership and instruction. I will miss you, Sue, and your gentle presence. Even though I am still in school, I thank you so very much for your body of work in EFT, for adding love to my home, for adding love to me, and for adding to my knowledge so I can be a successful therapist for individuals, families, and couples.
In gratitude, peace, and love.
She touched so many lives and for me was so influential on my professional practice. I am so saddened by our loss and can only imagine what it’s like for her family. My most heartfelt condolences.
I have a big lump in my throat. I will continue to incorporate Sue’s brilliant work in my everyday practice with couples, and it will have even more meaning and purpose. Very grateful that she lived and helped us all be kinder, loving people.
I am extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Sue Johnson. My life has been tremendously impacted by her profound teachings and my clients lives have been made all the more fulfilling due to her work. She will be dearly missed!
I join everyone else here in my sorrow at Dr. Johnson’s passing. I got acquainted with her at one of her Cape Cod workshops years ago. Her insights regarding human emotions were truly profound and had a huge personal impact on me.
Thank you, Dr. Johnson!
Steven Marks
Sue Johnson was an extraordinary person and leaves us an outstanding approach to clinical work with individuals, couples and families. Sue was also remarkable, in that in the midst of practising, developing, teaching and publishing EFT, she would answer emails at all hours of the day and night to encourage and support individuals all over the world! Discovering EFT in the academic literature was the most important moment of my professional life, for which I am forever grateful., Thank you and bless you Sue for all that you have given us and all that you are!. Jenny Fitzgerald Brisbane Australia
My personal and professional life has been immensely impacted by Sue’s work and her authentic demonstration of vulnerability and love.
When I met Sue at one of her trainings, I told her she had changed my life. Me and thousands others. Blessings on your family.
I was very sad to hear the passing of Sue. I started learning about EFT in my internship, then I went to Ottawa to do Externship with Sue and her team. Through the years, attended her conferences & EFIT training, watched hours of videos on how she helped her clients.
Even though, she is no longer with us, her contribution to the field will continue to have impact on lives of couples, individuals and their families.
Thank you Sue for your dedication and passion in your work!!
My sincere condolences to her family and loved ones.
Dr Johnson was the reason I became a therapist. I was a philosophy major and was in one of her psychology classes, watching a tape of her role playing the therapist in a couple’s session, and I knew then that I needed to change my major. I, and the people I’ve been able to help over my own career, owe Dr Johnson a world of thanks.
I am extremely sad to learn about Dr Sue’s passing! She was the therapist who inspired me to become an LMFT. Her deep love for people and compassion will live on forever. My sincere condolences to her family.
Dr. Sue Johnson has transformed the way I see relationships and has changed my life. She is an incredible woman and has helped me help so many people through my work. Without her I do not have the confidence to confront other people’s emotions.
Thank you Dr. Johnson. I will be praying for you and your family. Thank you to her family for letting this wonderful woman touch my life.
I attended Sue’s talks in Anaheim several times, also in Langley, Vancouver, and did my Externship with Sue in New York. Sue was not embarrassed to model lavishing connection with a partner as we would with our dogs – out loud. Sue’s moral compass was evident in how she spoke out about refugee children being separated from their parents. When I was having a hard time in 2012, she listened and supported, and remembered me every time our paths crossed over the years, whatever the size of the conference. Sue, your EFT teachings touched my soul and my work as a therapist so profoundly. I am deeply saddened that I can’t look forward to seeing you again; I am so deeply grateful for all the times I did, and for your integrity-full, comprehensively researched work that will continue to touch humanity. You were here. Indeed.
With tears now, I wish Sue’s family every comfort. Thank you for sharing her with us, that was a big ask.
Thank you Sue.
Sue Johnson leaves a hole in the world at large, and my little world in particular. She made me a better partner, friend and therapist. And she made all of her presentations look effortless although they were packed with information and caring. Once you were “on her radar screen”, she did not forget you .
And she was truly the life of every party!🎈
Not a bad combination. Rest in peace, dear Sue.
May Dr. Johnson rest in eternal peace know that her beautiful legacy will live on as people continue to thrive and build stronger connections and more loving through the power of EFT. Thank you, Dr. Johnson, for the gifts you’ve bestowed to humanity 🫶 🙏 🫶
So sorry to hear of Sue’s passing. It is such sad news though not unexpected. As a friend from way back I benefitted from her warmth and caring but also from her energy. She was amazing in her dedication to whatever she was doing and the tremendous way she pursued it without fail. It never failed to amaze me the number of things she accomplished right until the end. The joy she got from tango was another of the incredible things about her. Sue, I hope wherever you are now that you’re hearing all the wonderful things people are saying about you. Love you and miss you.
It is difficult to quantify the impact Dr. Sue Johnson had on the counseling and psychology professions. We are most fortunate that she left us with such a voluminous body of work which will endure for decades to come. She will be greatly missed but not forgotten. Wishing her husband, children, grandchildren and close friends peace in this time of loss. Condolences to all of her loved ones.
I wish her family peace in this difficult time.
We mourn the loss of a truly remarkable woman whose contributions changed the world. Her legacy will inspire generations to come. Sue, you left this earth too soon. I hope you are now dancing the tango in heaven with your beloved father. Rest in peace.
My heartfelt condolences to family, friends, & colleagues of my professional & humanitarian hero, Dr. Sue Johnson. You brought me full circle from learning about Attachment Theory, to raising my amazing sons as a 100% single mom based on it, to centering my professional life on EFT and aspiring to be like Dr. Sue “when I grow up” as a clinician and a human. Thank you for your legacy!
I had the privilege to work under Sue’s guidance for a few years early on in my career. Sue was a wonderful teacher and supervisor and mentor. I used to joke with her that I had introjected her because whenever things were getting a little out of control in a couple session I could hear her voice in my head telling me what to do next and she was always right.
My condolences!
I am extremely saddened to hear the passing of Dr. Sue Johnson. She made a huge impact. My sincere condolence to her family and everyone closest to her.
Thank you Dr. Johnson.
Words cannot express the enormity of Sue’s legacy. I wish her family peace at this huge time of loss. Thank you, Sue, for all that you taught me and all of us about the power of attachment and love. I carry you with me in all the work I continue to do in the field. You are the secure base from which I strive to understand and help others, and I thank you for that. Your sense of humour, honesty, and grit I will always remember. You were larger than life! Rest in peace.
A pioneering genius and dynamic driving force behind the attachment and emotion-focused revolution! We will continue your beautiful work dear beloved teacher and healer. To Dr Sue’s family, thank you for sharing her with all of us :))
Sue, you will be sorely missed. I remember taking the EFT Externship with you in 2012, and listening to you in OAMFT webinars. Your passion for your work is contagious, and your contribution to the field of marriage and family therapy is incredible. Thank you for all that you did for all of those around you. You are a special sparkle who left a giant legacy behind.
Much love and appreciation,
Melissa Johari
Sue you helped me live a life worth living. Thank you for your contributions. I will continue to share your message far and wide. I send condolences to your surviving family. You will be missed.
What a gift to our profession! Thank you, thank you, thank you to sue!
I’m not sure what my career would look like without her brilliance.
🙏🏼🙏🏼Lynn wadsworth, Asheville nc, red oak recovery
I am a better man and counselor because you Dr. Johnson. Thank you for teaching the world how to turn towards love and our partners. You will be missed!
With warmth and love from Los Angeles,
Jason
Gracias Sue por habernos ayudado a descifrar y comprender el lenguaje amoroso.
Nosotras y nuestro trabajo nunca será el mismo. Hemos aprendido de ti y ahora nos toca mantener este Modelo vivo y enriquecido cada día trabajando con nuestras parejas. GRACIAS SUE! 🤍🦋
A beautiful tribute for a beautiful life. Your wisdom transformed lives. Thank you for your compassion, wisdom, and dedication to this field.
Sue,
Thank you for helping me understand myself and the world better. My life is so much richer because of your teachings. I truly believe every relationship in my life has benefitted from them. Even though we never met, you affected me profoundly on a professional and personal level. I hope you are resting in peace now. Your legacy continues!
We have fond memories of Sue coming to London, Ontario early in the 2000’s to share her exciting new cutting edge way of working with clients. She was so dedicated to improving people’s lives and her kindness and enthusiasm in turn made all of us hopeful and willing to go through sometimes arduous training to learn from her.
Sue,
The world is a better place because of who you were. I am a better man, husband, father, and friend because of your work. You will be so so missed. I am grateful for your legacy that will live on across the world through ICEEFT, and through the many couples, individuals, and families you have impacted for the better.
Jason
I will always be deeply grateful for everything I have learned from Dr Johnson’s work. My heart goes out to her friends and loved ones who will miss her. She and all those who mourn her passing are in my prayers for comfort. May God give her rest, and also a chance to know ALL the good she brought into the world. Thank you for offering this space to share our love with each other.
I found EFT when I was still searching for a place to call home in my therapy work. While I never had the pleasure of meeting Sue in person, I was able to see her work and be trained by people who were trained by her. She touched countless lives and our field has physically lost an MVP but Sue’s work and memory will live on in EFT forever!
I found EFT when I was still searching for a place to call home in my therapy work. While I never had the pleasure of meeting Sue in person, I was able to see her work and be trained by people who were trained by her. She touched countless lives and our field has physically lost an MVP but Sue’s work and memory will live on in EFT forever!!
I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Sue. As a relationship therapist, she has been my biggest inspiration. Her memory will live on in the tapestry of our work. Love and condolences to the family.
Not only my career, but my whole life changed when i knew Sue Johnson. I learnt to cherish all my emotions which i had abondoned for so long and i’m thankful to sue johnson for that.
May she know that all her legacy will continue through all those whose hearts have been touched by her.
Her book and courses have guided me through the difficulties and confusion of my family and everyday life. Her passion and humour in healing people have inspired me in my own practice. She is a powerful leader in the current psychology field. What a huge loss!
We will miss you, and carry you with us always. Thank you for so much.
There are no words to fully express what Dr. Sue Johnson meant to me and the thousands (millions?) around the world who have been impacted by her powerful, brave, creative, insightful work and generously extravagant investment in the world of couples therapy and beyond during her one brave life. I know my life was transformed, personally and professionally, by her teaching and training. It is hard to fathom a world now without her here on this planet to ask, as so often we in the EFT world do: What would Sue say? What would Sue do in this situation? She has been our wise guide and fearless leader. She has inspired, equipped, guided, and empowered generations of therapists and all of the couples and clients who have been touched by her work, books, videos, Hold Me Tight programs, and beyond. Thank you, Sue, for living your one brave life so generously and creatively! We will miss you deeply!
And to her lovely family, along with ICEEFT colleagues and trainer friends, etc., please know our hearts are with you in this deep time of loss. To lose such a shining star must be so painful. You have our prayers and deep care in this time. Your are not grieving alone. I wish you peace and comfort, connection and soothing in time….
With warmest regards and an open heart that grieves with you,
Elisa
I was introduced to EFT in 1995 and immediately released a sigh of relief for there being a therapeutic model that resonated so deeply with me. I knew I had to meet Dr. Sue Johnson. I was fortunate enough to do so at the APA convention in Chicago, 1997. As so many have already written, Sue was the warmest soul with the brightest spirit, funny, engaging, supportive, honest, open, inviting, and attentive. My fondest memories of spending a week with you and your family in Toronto and up at the wilderness cabin on the lake. It was there that I learned you loved to draw on driftwood. Thank you Dear Sue for loving me, believing in me, and for being the best embodiment of your life’s work. Indeed, you are a kindred spirit. John, Tim, Emma, and Sarah, may you hold each other during this time of grief and celebrate the love and life she so robustly shared with all of us.
Here’s to throwing hamburgers in trash bins and running like hell through Pier 39 so we could be 30 minutes early for your afternoon presentation! Sooo many fond memories ~ Soar among the stars and laugh with angels … Gratefully, June May
I did training with her while she was battling cancer, but still, her humour and wit have instilled in me a flame that will last. Her teaching is still alive in me and my patients. Thanks to all who have supported her in the last moments.
Her humour and wit have instilled in me a flame that will last. Her teaching is still alive in me and my patients. Thanks to all who have supported her in the last moments.
I am very saddened to hear of Sue’s death. I have only met her on a few occasions however her work has impacted so many around the world. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to complete the EFT training, the most impactful training I have ever engaged in, not surprising as Sue was so impactful and engaging herself.
May you eventually find some peace in your loss, knowing that she and her work will continue to be loved and appreciated around the world.
I am so sad to hear of Dr. Susan Johnson passing away. She was an inspiration and left a wonderful legacy of healing in our world. I loved EFT since first discovering it and use it to this day in my practice. I wish her family and friends comfort, peace, and healing. May she be blessed and at peace.
I’m one of the recipients of Sue’s passionate teaching and wish to express my appreciation, too, for what she had imparted. Indeed she was a very encouraging and humble teacher/trainer. I personally experienced this during the Externship training I attended, including the book signing – “May your couples always teach you.” She had modelled for me that we are always the learners. Thank you, Sue!
My deepest condolences also to her family.
This is such sad news, for Sue’s family and for everyone who was fortunate to have known her, even if only for a few hours of a training. She was brilliant in her unique kind, caring way in training others in EFZt. I will continue to treasure her books. My deepest sympathy to her family, friends and colleagues.
Hard to believe it was only a year ago last March when I attended a virtual training with Sue teaching and guiding. There are so many of her brief teachings, such as “Change happens in the present.” These jewels of understanding how we as MFTs can be effective that I share with my MFT learners. Almost always with new interns I share her video working so intently with the helicopter pilot and his wife. The power of what Sue did is inspirational. We will miss you Sue but bless you for leaving us so many masterpieces.
She got the depth of human experience in marriage. I really changed my aproach to therapy thanks to her,
Arturo Kanner – Mexico city
I am deeply saddened y the news that our beloved Sue Johnson has parted from us. I was introduced to emotionally focused therapy in the work of Dr. Sue Johnson during graduate school. From that time on I have been a follower and a learner of emotionally focused therapy, it only seemed natural to me. Although I never met her, Dr. Sue Johnson impacted and shaped my life. A day does not go by that I have been able to take what she developed and taught into my practice which has been used to help many couples and individuals. Thank you Sue For your love and contributions to humanity. You blessed my life.
I’m so sad to hear of Sue’s passing, what an amazing teacher and theoretician. Her work has significantly impacted the work I do with my clients and so directly or vicariously she has helped heal and change the lives of millions! My prayers go out to her family in their time of grief.
I am so sad to know that Sue Johnson has died. She was a shining light and she shared that light with so many of us and opened up the field of therapy by developing EFT. Sue changed my work with the EFT training and changed my life. I will always be deeply grateful to her. As one human being, she made the world a better place. Now she inspires us to carry on.
Love,
Christine
Dr. Sue Johnson was a visionary whose pioneering work in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) transformed countless lives. Her legacy is profound and personal to many, including those in the field of psychology who had the privilege to learn from her, as I did through her illuminating workshops. Dr. Johnson’s EFIT approach provided real, tangible paths to healing and connection for many, including the clients I work with. Though I never knew her personally, her influence has been a guiding light in my practice and her spirit continues to inspire.
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Sue Johnson introduced me to EFT in Vancouver, BC in 2004, but as I continued on to the Externship and Core Skills, I realized how much more there was to know. She was a relentless power house, and no one I ever knew of accomplished so much for humankind as Dr. Susan Johnson in their time on this earth, except Jesus.
I thank God for giving her such gifts to teach and inspire therapists and clients. We have all been truly blessed.
I hope to see you again in Heaven.
I was shocked and deeply saddened by the news I received earlier today from a client couple that you are no longer with us, Dr Sue. No one has informed, guided and inspired my work as a relationship therapist/counselor more than you. Your huge contribution to the understanding, healing and enjoyment of adult love relationships will be felt and celebrated for many generations to come. Thank you for your great work, which demonstrates the transformative power of vulnerability and true love.
Although I never met Dr. Susan Johnson, she greatly impacted my work as a therapist. I will be forever grateful for her teachings.
Thank you sincerely for posting these very genuine ,moving and profoundly impactful personal and professional tributes which honour one of the greatest and inspirational therapists that ever lived.
Heartfelt sympathy to her family and work colleagues who gave her such joy while she lived.
One of the best and most inspiring psychologists and love scientists. May your soul rest in peace.