EFCT & EFFT Training
Find your focus in EFCT and EFFT
Are you a new therapist feeling overwhelmed by the myriad of models and approaches in couples and family therapy? You’re not alone. Many therapists find themselves caught in a whirl of emotional escalation and complex dynamics that couples and families bring into therapy, feeling unanchored and uncertain. The fear of losing emotional balance and the feeling of isolation in building your skills can be daunting. Find your focus in EFCT and EFFT!
EFCT and EFFT simplifies your steps as a clinician, grows your skills in working with couples and families, and builds confidence in your abilities. It also offers a clear, focused pathway to understanding and navigating the emotional landscapes of therapy with confidence and compassion.
Are you interested in deepening your understanding of the Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) model and becoming a certified practitioner? Please find information of the EFCT model and certification process below.
Additionally, for those interested in Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), this model applies the principles of EFT to family dynamics, helping to repair and enhance familial relationships. Information on the EFFT certification process is also available upon request. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more information on these certification processes.
Why is EFCT Important for Couples?
Couples therapy can be challenging; therapists often grapple with escalated emotional cycles that can feel overwhelming. EFT stands out by focusing on the emotion and attachment fears and longings beneath these cycles, offering a way to understand and address the root causes of disconnection. This model empowers therapists to guide couples through their vulnerabilities towards healing and deepened connection.
What is the EFCT Training Model?
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples is an empirically validated model developed over 35 years of research. Grounded in attachment theory, EFT provides a clear map for therapists to help couples move from distress and disconnection to a place of stronger, more resilient bonds. This humanistic approach offers a structured process to identify and transform negative patterns that block emotional connection.
What Makes EFCT Training Preferred Over Other Models?
Unlike approaches that prioritize changing thoughts or behaviours directly, EFCT focuses on understanding and honouring emotions to facilitate healing. It’s a model that simplifies the therapeutic approach without sacrificing depth, providing tools that are applicable across various modalities. With EFCT, therapists gain a manualized, attachment-focused map that is both effective and deeply humanistic.
EFCT Training Certification Process:
Tried, Tested and True!
Becoming a certified Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Couples Therapist is a profound professional commitment and a transformative personal experience. Here’s a detailed look at the steps involved, designed to equip you with the skills and understanding necessary to facilitate deep, lasting connections between partners.
Effective January 2024, ICEEFT introduced a 3-track certification model (EFIT, EFCT & EFFT). Under these new standards, members who wish to be certified in EFT with couples (EFCT) will need to complete the following:
Certification Process Overview
1. Fundamentals of Emotionally Focused Therapy
Duration: 6.25 hours
Overview: This introductory workshop is your gateway to the principles of EFT. Grounded in the science of attachment, you’ll gain essential insights and practical tools tailored for therapeutic practice across individuals, couples, and families. Through a blend of didactic presentations, analysis of recorded client sessions, and experiential exercises, you'll start to build the foundation of your EFT knowledge base.
2. Externship in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy® (EFCT)
Duration: 4 days (24+ hours)
Overview: As the cornerstone of EFCT training, the Externship offers an immersive exploration of the model. This phase is pivotal, focused on the science of attachment and EFCT’s systematic approach to couple therapy. You’ll learn to navigate the complexities of couple dynamics with skill and empathy, laying the groundwork for your specialization in EFCT.
3. EFCT Core Skills Training
Duration: Two modules (24-hours) over approximately 1 - 3 months
Overview: This advanced training delves into the EFT model across two stages, each covered in two-day modules. Limited to small groups, it fosters an intimate learning environment conducive to deep understanding. Covering over 24-hours of instruction, including a video review, this phase sharpens your abilities to create change within the therapeutic process, focusing on the core skills essential for effective EFT work. Limited to 12-16 participants
4. Supervision
Duration: Minimum of 8 hours
Overview: Supervision is tailored to refine your practice, offering personalized feedback and insights. This stage includes both group and individual supervision options, whether through face-to-face or remote sessions. Under my guidance as a certified supervisor, you’ll navigate clinical challenges, hone your skills, and deepen your understanding of EFT principles. During our consultation, I will need to see a minimum of 2 video sessions showing your skill in utilizing the EFT Tango with proficiency.
(ICEEFT requires that every effort be made to protect the confidentiality of the clients reviewed)
5. Completion of Therapy Session Video Review
Overview: Demonstrating your competency involves submitting and reviewing therapy session video. This critical step provides direct feedback on your application of EFT techniques, allowing for reflection and growth.
6. Required Reading and Ongoing Learning
Materials: Key texts include "The Practice of Emotionally Focused Therapy: Creating Connection" (3rd edition, 2020) by Susan M. Johnson, among other EFT books and articles. This step ensures that you’re well-versed in EFT's theoretical underpinnings and practical applications, contributing to your ongoing professional development.
Who Can Attend
All mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, family physicians, social workers, psychiatric nurses, counsellors (including couples and family therapists), pastors and clergy, and students training in these professions, are permitted to attend. School counsellors are permitted to attend if they are licensed and belong to a professional body that has standards of practice for psychotherapy/counselling.
Life coaches are not permitted to attend unless they also meet one of the mental health professional categories listed above.
Fundamental, Externships and Core Skill Training
Currently, I offer a range of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) training programs to suit various needs and preferences. Through the ICEEFT Course Page, I provide convenient online access to EFCT Externships and EFT Fundamentals, allowing clinicians to engage with these courses from anywhere with an internet connection. For those seeking a more immersive learning experience, I host an EFCT Externship in Toronto once a year, alongside my esteemed colleague, Dr. Senem Zeytinoglu-Saydam. Additionally, Core Skills Training sessions are offered throughout the year in different formats, including both online and in-person settings, to accommodate diverse learning preferences and schedules. Furthermore, I am frequently approached to provide customized Externships, and Fundamentals to small clinics and organizations. If you have a small group and are interested in personalized training tailored to your specific needs, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
I am committed to making EFT training accessible, engaging, and impactful, and I look forward to supporting you on your journey to mastering Emotionally Focused Therapy.
About Your Trainer:
Robin Williams Blake
Robin Williams Blake, Certified EFT trainer, has been endorsed by Dr. Sue Johnson and ICEEFT to lead the Toronto Centre for EFT. With a rich background in psychotherapy and a dedication to the EFT model, Robin has shaped the practices of many therapists. His journey from a certified EFT Therapist to an ICEEFT-certified Trainer and Supervisor embodies his commitment to this transformative work. Robin’s approachable and creative teaching style makes complex concepts accessible, empowering therapists to become more effective clinicians.
Let’s Connect For More Information
Ready to navigate the complexities of couples therapy with confidence and ease? Embrace the opportunity to learn from an experienced clinician in the field.
Reach out for more details on how EFT can transform your practice.
Book a supervision | consultation session to start your journey toward EFT certification.
FAQ
How much does the certification cost?
The cost of the certification process varies; please contact us for the most current pricing and any available funding options.
Is the training refundable?
Refund policies are in place for certain circumstances; please inquire for specific details.
What are the benefits of being ETF certified?
Certification in EFT enhances your therapeutic skills, increases your credibility, and opens up new professional opportunities. It empowers you to make a profound impact on couples' lives.
How long does it take to achieve certification?
The certification process timeline can vary based on individual progress and training schedules.
Contact us for a personalized timeline.
Grow with Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Let's connect if you’re seeking to refine your therapy skills, find supervision, or explore therapy services. Reach out today to discover how EFT can help you realize the full potential of your therapy practice.