The best first step is to attend a course in the Fundamentals of Emotionally Focused Therapy. This is a one-day (6+ hour) 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 sense of self, 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).
The first step in becoming certified in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy is to complete a 4-day EFT Externship. The externship offers clinicians an opportunity to learn an overview of the attachment model, as well as specific steps and stages unique to the EFCT approach. During the externship therapists will participate in group discussion, small and large group exercises, view video of the approach being demonstrated as well as observe a live session facilitated by your trainer.
Once you complete your externship, the next step toward becoming a Certified EFCT therapist is to attend Core Skills. 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. The training includes a minimum of 48 hours of in-depth instruction, practice, and feedback, culminating in a crucial step towards EFT certification.
Become a Certified Emotionally Focused Individual Therapist
Becoming an EFIT therapist starts with completing EFIT Essentials This 4-day (24hr) training event is a didactic and experiential program where participants will be invited to apply the principles and interventions of Emotionally Focused Therapy with individuals. The training will delve into the heart of the empirically-validated EFIT model, presenting a coherent framework for understanding individual emotional processing and change.
Become a Certified Emotionally Focused Family Therapist This program invites participants to explore the principles and interventions of Emotionally Focused Therapy in family settings. It presents a clear framework for understanding family emotional processing and change, based on the empirically-validated EFFT model.