What Does It Mean When Your Therapist Is Trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)?
If your therapist has shared that they’re trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), you might wonder what that means and how it impacts the quality of care you’ll receive. EFT is a proven approach to strengthening relationships and addressing emotional challenges, and therapists who practice EFT undergo extensive training to ensure they can support their clients effectively. Here’s a simple breakdown of what that training involves.
Externship: Building the Foundation
The first step in EFT training is the externship, a four-day intensive program where therapists learn the basics of the EFT model. During this time, they:
Study the Science of Relationships: EFT is based on attachment theory, which explores how emotional bonds are formed and repaired.
Watch Therapy in Action: Therapists observe live or recorded sessions to see how EFT works in real-life scenarios.
Practice Key Skills: Through exercises and role-playing, they start applying EFT tools in a supervised environment.
This foundational training equips therapists with the knowledge and tools to begin using EFT in their work with clients.
Core Skills: Refining Their Practice
After completing the externship, many therapists move on to core skills training. This involves a deeper dive into the EFT process through a series of workshops spread over several months. During this phase, therapists:
Hone Their Skills: They refine their ability to guide clients through the EFT stages and steps.
Work on Real Cases: Therapists bring their experiences from working with clients into the training for feedback and support.
Learn to Handle Challenges: They gain strategies for addressing difficult relationship dynamics, like high conflict or emotional withdrawal.
Core skills training ensures your therapist has a deeper understanding of EFT and is prepared to handle the unique challenges of your relationship.
Certification: Mastering EFT
For therapists who want to fully specialize in EFT, certification is the next step. Achieving certification means a therapist has been thoroughly evaluated and recognized as an expert in EFT. To become certified, a therapist must:
Receive Supervision: Work closely with an experienced EFT supervisor to deepen their skills.
Submit Videos: Provide recordings of their sessions showing their ability to use EFT effectively.
Pass Evaluation: Have their work reviewed by experts to ensure they meet the highest standards of EFT practice.
If your therapist is certified, you can trust that they’ve undergone a rigorous process to master EFT and are committed to delivering the highest quality care.
Why Does This Matter for You?
Therapists who invest in EFT training are dedicated to helping clients create stronger, healthier emotional connections. Whether they’re in the early stages of training or have achieved certification, their knowledge and expertise in EFT can help you navigate challenges, rebuild trust, and foster deeper understanding in your relationship.
Knowing about your therapist’s EFT training can help you feel confident in their ability to support you on your journey toward meaningful and lasting change.
