Mission & Philosophy
What We Do
At the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT), we are dedicated to transforming lives through secure, healing human connection.
Founded by Dr. Sue Johnson, ICEEFT has become the global leader in training, research, and education in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Our work is grounded in the science of attachment and the belief that strong relationships are the foundation of mental and emotional health.
We provide therapists with the skills and support they need to help individuals, couples, and families heal relational wounds and build secure, lasting bonds. Today, EFT is taught and practiced in more than 40 countries and supported by decades of rigorous research.
Our Philosophy
We adhere to the philosophy that relationships are at the core of human experience. Research indicates that secure attachment and emotionally fulfilling relationships are integral components of mental and physical health, and that emotionally focused interventions have the power to establish and recreate supportive bonds among individuals. We are therefore dedicated to the understanding of individual health and dysfunction in the context of relationship with others and the enhancement of couple and family functioning. We believe that all people can maximize their potential given a nurturing social environment, which we endeavour to foster in our work with clients.
ICEEFT’s Mission Statement
ICEEFT serves as a centre of excellence for the promotion of secure, resilient individuals and successful relationships between partners and within families.Our mission includes the further expansion and refinement of the Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) model through process and outcome research. Another central aspect of our mission is to educate health professionals and to increase public awareness about the efficacy of EFT and its role in strengthening relationship bonds and mental health.
Our Core Values
- Attachment science – Our foundation is the science of human bonding and emotional safety.
- Excellence in training – We support therapists in building real skills through rigorous, experiential learning.
- Ongoing innovation – We integrate the latest research and clinical insight into everything we do.
- Global community – We connect a worldwide network of therapists united by shared purpose and mutual support.
- Commitment to inclusion – We strive to create safe, equitable, and respectful spaces in our trainings and across our global community.
Our Impact
EFT has helped thousands of therapists become more effective in their work and helped millions of people live more connected, resilient lives. We invite you to join us: in training, in community, and in our shared vision of a world where secure relationships are possible for all.
WHY IT MATTERS
Strong relationships are at the heart of human well-being. Whether it’s a couple working through conflict, an individual facing trauma, or a family rebuilding trust, the ability to form and sustain secure emotional bonds is essential to mental and emotional health.
That’s why our mission is more than a statement. It’s a shared commitment —to therapists, educators, researchers, and advocates—who are helping build a more emotionally connected world.
In light of these guiding principles,
Our therapeutic contact with clients will be characterized by:
Our connections with one another will be characterized by teamwork that is:
Our connections with the community will be characterized by:
