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Fundamentals of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)This is a one-day (approx. 7 hours) introduction to Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and attachment theory for all modalities – individual (EFIT), couple (EFCT), and family (EFFT) therapy. This training will provide an outline of EFT, with an emphasis on attachment and relationships, and how the EFT Tango applies to all three modalities. More than just an EFT introductory course, Fundamentals of EFT provides the overall context of EFT and explains how the original “couple” model applies effectively as psychotherapy to EFFT (e.g., typically engaging with dyads) and EFIT (e.g., working with the individual and a younger/child self, or the individual and the inner experience of another person in their life). Participants will be able to:
This Fundamentals of EFT training is recommended but not required prior to an Externship, and is also recommended before EFIT and EFFT Level 1 trainings. To see a list of upcoming Fundamentals of EFT workshops, click here. |
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Introduction to EFT WorkshopsOne-day introductory workshops on the EFT model of therapy, and workshops on this model as applied to all three modalities – individual (EFIT), couple (EFCT), and family (EFFT) therapy – are available in as many of 40 countries across the globe. These introductory workshops are designed to help you:
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Externships in Emotionally Focused Therapy®A four-day Externship (approximately 30 hours) includes the observation of live and video recorded couple and individual therapy sessions, presentations of theory and clinical techniques, skills training exercises, and discussion of specific cases, clinical material and issues. General Objectives: Externships in EFT:
Who should attend? All mental health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, family physicians, social workers, psychiatric nurses, counsellors, pastors and clergy, and students training in these professions. Registrants will be required to declare their professional designation. ICEEFT recommends that participants read Attachment Theory in Practice: Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals, Couples and Families (Johnson, 2019), prior to attending and Externship. It is also recommended that they watch at least one training video on the EFT modality of their choice. These are found on this ICEEFT website. To see a sample Externship schedule, click here. To see comments from participants, click here. To see a list of upcoming Externship training events, click here. |
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Core Skills TrainingEFT Core Skills Training requires that participants have completed the 4-day Externship. Core Skills Training led by a Certified EFT Trainer comprises four 2-day events that occur over the space of approximately one year and is limited to 12 participants or up to 16 if there is a second Trainer or Certified EFT Supervisor leading the group. In the overall context of the EFT Tango, each 2-day session is dedicated to specific steps of the model and the therapeutic tasks and interventions characteristic of those steps. Participants are required to present their own work through audio/videotape presentation. Registrants will be required to declare their professional designation. To see a list of upcoming Core Skills training events, click here. |
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Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) Level 1 TrainingThis two-day training outlines the theory and practice of EFIT, focusing on the primacy of emotion and the creation of a safe haven & secure base alliance, core models of health and dysfunction from an attachment perspective including how within and between cycles interact and block growth and adaptation, a systematic sequence of interventions, the EFT Tango, as well as more micro-interventions, and how to stay with present processes in each and every session to shape key change events. Didactic presentations will be accompanied by the viewing of EFIT sessions and experiential exercises. Recommended reading for this course is A Primer for Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT). Participants will be able to:
There are no prerequisites for EFIT Level 1, though ICEEFT recommends taking Fundamentals of EFT beforehand and taking an Externship afterward. To see a list of upcoming EFIT training events, click here. |
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Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) Level 2 TrainingThis two-day training will build on and elaborate on Level 1 EFIT training and is the final requirement for ICEEFT recognition of special training in EFIT. Participants are encouraged when they enroll to be prepared to pinpoint brief examples of places they become confused or stuck in the practice of EFIT, and/or specifically in the Tango, to bring into the training. It is recommended that participants obtain and use Becoming an EFT Therapist – The Workbook, 2nd Edition, 2020. Participants must also complete the exercises in A Primer for Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), before or during the training. Participants will learn to:
These objectives will be addressed in more depth and with more practice and discussion than in the Level 1 training and with more reference to specific kinds of clients and situations that participants find challenging. At the completion of EFIT Level 2 Training, a certificate is issued indicating you have completed the ICEEFT EFIT training. To see a list of upcoming EFIT training events, click here. |
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Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) Level 1 TrainingThis two-day training will demonstrate how the EFT model of working with couples is extended and modified to fit the family context. Attention will be given to how EFT practice with families is different and what additional skills are needed. For example, how to process parental blocks to emotional accessibility and responsiveness while also keeping the child safe will be a dynamic addressed. Participants will learn a powerful transformative approach that is foundational in helping parents and children who are struggling with remaining securely attached. This workshop will combine didactic instruction, experiential exercises, and case examples to demonstrate the practice of EFFT. Participants are encouraged to bring examples from their casework to explore the application of EFFT to their own work. When possible, live demonstration sessions are included. Participants are required to read the book, Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), prior to attending EFFT Level 1. Participants will learn to:
There are no prerequisites for EFFT Level 1, though ICEEFT recommends taking Fundamentals of EFT beforehand and taking an Externship afterward. To see a list of upcoming EFFT training events, click here. |
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Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) Level 2 TrainingThis two-day advanced training focuses on increasing therapist competence in EFFT assessment and treatment practices that guide families through resolving relationship blocks and promote more secure familial bonds. This advanced workshop concentrates on specific practices for working through negative patterns, accessing and deepening emotional experience to promote corrective emotional experiences in family relationships. Video examples and practice exercises provide opportunities for participants to observe EFFT in action and further their understanding and skill in this innovative approach to transforming family distress. We recommend participants complete the EFFT exercises in Becoming an EFT Therapist: The Workbook, 2nd Ed., 2022, prior to attending EFFT Level 2. Participants will learn to:
At the completion of EFFT Level 2 Training, a certificate is issued indicating you have completed the ICEEFT EFFT training. To see a list of upcoming EFFT training events, click here. |
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Specialized WorkshopsA Specialized Workshop is considered an application of EFT to a special topic that requires the trainer to combine their expertise in EFT with demonstrated expertise in a specialty area. Specialized trainings include, but are not limited to, topics such as: Addictions; Trauma; Sex; Supervision; and the training of facilitators for the various Hold Me Tight® workshops. |
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Online EFT TrainingMany EFT training events take place annually around the world, both in person and online. All online English-language EFT core training in North America (Fundamentals of EFT, Externships, EFIT Levels 1 & 2, EFFT Levels 1 & 2) are organized by ICEEFT. Core trainings outside of North America are organized and managed by trainers in their region and in coordination with local EFT centers and communities. Specialized Workshops as noted above are held online and in person. To see a list of upcoming events, click here, and check with your local EFT center or community. |
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Clinical EFT Supervision
Supervision in EFT/EFIT/EFFT is offered by Certified EFT Supervisors and is a part of the certification process. Supervision is available on an individual or group basis. Group supervision can also be accessed through online meetings or Core Skills Training. The key principles of EFT clinical supervision are:
NOTE: On this website, the words “supervisor” and “supervision” are used expressly for the purpose of training in the EFT model, and do not imply / constitute any ethical / legal responsibility for cases discussed. For all intents and purposes, a Certified EFT Supervisor is an EFT consultant. All therapists receiving such supervision / consultation are wholly responsible for the therapy they provide and they are also responsible for receiving appropriate supervision, as required, by their respective governing and/or licensing authorities. ICEEFT requires that every effort be made to protect the confidentiality of the client. Any web-based sharing of information or encryption of sessions must be done in accordance with the standards of the professional college of the supervisor. ICEEFT is not responsible for supervisor’s actions in this regard. Recommended Reading List on Supervision Liddle, H. (1988) Handbook of family therapy training and supervision. New York: Guilford Press. Liddle, H. (1991). “Training and supervision in family therapy: A comprehensive review and critical analysis.” In A. Gurman & D. Kniskern (Eds.), Handbook of Family Therapy, 2nd edition (pp. 638-697). New York: Brunner/Mazel Mead, D. (1990). Effective supervision: A Task oriented model for mental health professions. New York: Brunner/Mazel Sprenkle & Blow (2004). “Common Factors and sacred models.” Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. 30(2):113-29 Storm, C.L., McDowell, T., & Long, J. K. (2003). “The metamorphosis of training and supervision.” In T. L. Sexton, G. R. Weeks, & M. S. Robbins (Eds.), Handbook of family therapy (pp. 431-446). New York: Brunner-Routledge. |
There are a variety of training opportunities available through the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy. Supervision and training are provided by Certified EFT Supervisors, approved Supervisor Candidates and Certified EFT Trainers.