WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:  

In her recent book, Attachment Theory in Practice (c. 2019), Dr. Sue Johnson notes two key implications of attachment science for clinical practice.  That is, “harnessing the power of emotion within the client is the most potent way to promote change” and “change is inherently interpersonal, sculpted by the emotional messages that occur in dialogue with another” (Johnson, 2019, p. 25).  Recognizing that the relationship can be a key resource in healing trauma (when one or both partners is struggling with the impacts of trauma), this training will focus on how to work relationally with couples to heal the potentially pervasive and deleterious impacts of personal trauma.  Relationship trauma (i.e., attachment injuries/betrayals of trust) and how to address such injuries with the Attachment Injury Resolution Model (AIRM) also will be reviewed. 

With a clear roadmap and on-target interventions, EFT is an empirically validated treatment approach that meets the gold standard set out by bodies such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and has been shown to be effective in assisting couples in both addressing trauma and improving their relationship functioning.  In this training, participants will gain practitioner relevant insight into assessment, case conceptualization and treatment planning and the interventions that are used to transform couples both personally and relationally, quieting the echoes of trauma, and increasing resilience to future stress and/or trauma.

In this training, you will :

1. learn a brief overview of the EFT model

2. focus on assessment, case conceptualization and treatment planning in couple therapy when one or both partners is struggling with the echoes of trauma

3. learn how to work with emotion with a focus on the intervention central to EFT - the Tango - with attention to pacing (both within and between sessions) and building on momentum throughout the process of therapy

4. be guided through the three-stage treatment process, with a focus on the three key change events (stabilization/de-escalation, withdrawer engagement and pursuer softening) and with the goal of identifying key markers within the roadmap

Theresa Cohen, LICSW, CGP

Friday, October 14, 2022,  2:00 to 5:00pm

DESCRIPTION:

Emotionally Focused Therapists often receive extensive instructions about how to create an alliance and conduct the assessment phase of EFT couple’s therapy (sessions 1-3).  But after creating safety, meeting with the couple jointly, and doing the individual sessions with each partner,  many EFT therapists feel less confident about where to start on the “4th session”.  This workshop offers an example of how to begin EFT therapy once the assessment phase is complete.  Learn how to introduce the concept of the negative cycle and work experientially with couples to illustrate how they impact each other.

OBJECTIVES:

This webinar is designed to provide a structured framework for assembling, tracking, and working experientially with the negative cycle in the 4th session of an EFT couples therapy session.

Attendees will:

1.    Review the therapeutic tasks of the Assessment Phase of EFT couple’s therapy and how to prepare couples for their 4th session.

2.    Identify the therapeutic goals post-assessment-phase and learn how different attachment styles can benefit from a structured 4th session.

3.    Learn in-session exercises for couples to identify the different components of their negative cycle and give them shared vocabulary to understand their attachment distress.

4. Increase understanding on how to work experientially with the negative cycle when it becomes alive in the therapy room during the 4th session.

Broken Bonds: Using EFT to rebuild connection After Ruptures with Clare Rosoman

Clinical Psychologist & Founding Co-Director of ACEFT; ICEEFT Certified Trainer, EFT Couples Therapist, and Supervisor

Clare is a clinical psychologist and co-founder of the Australian Centre for EFT (ACEFT) and director of the Brisbane Centre for Attachment and Relationships. With over 23 years’ experience in public, private and educational settings, Clare finds working within the EFT framework to be the most satisfying and rewarding work of her career. Clare has spoken nationally and internationally on EFT and is happiest when inspiring other therapists in the EFT model. Clare is the author of two resource books for therapists and a soon to be released book on recovery from relationship loss, An Emotionally Focused Guide to Relationship Loss: Life After Love. Clare believes in the power of attachment and connection in all relationships; dyadic, polyamorous, monogamous or consensually non-monogamous and the unique people who make them what they are; hetero, LGBTIQ+, cis, trans, gender non-conforming – all beautiful humans. She is deeply respectful of the cultural context in which people live, love and grow and prioritizes this in her training and in her therapeutic work as she commits to being anti-racist, knowing that this work is always ongoing. Clare is continually inspired by the power of EFT, grateful to Dr Sue Johnson for her vision, and remains committed to sharing this most amazing model of therapy with the world.

YouTube Link: Impact of Pornography on Relationships

MAXIMIZING CLIENT ENGAGEMENT IN THERAPY: USING EFT SKILLS TO BUILD YOUR IDEAL PRACTICE

LAURA CROSS, LMFT, CERTIFIED EFT THERAPIST AND SUPERVISOR

Fee $79 per person; $59 EFT Maine members; $39 Student Rate

Description:

This workshop will teach you how to use your EFT knowledge and skills to maximize your client’s level of engagement in their therapy experience. You’ll learn why the therapeutic alliance and clinical skill are only two of the many contributors to clients having high levels of engagement or terminating prematurely. Focusing on these skills will allow you to change how you view ‘awkward business conversations’ to begin seeing them as opportunities to gain valuable clinical insight into your clients and their experience. You’ll see examples of how, when done thoughtfully, these conversations can result in a deeper connection and commitment to therapy.

Whether you are struggling to retain clients or your calendar is full, understanding how to maximize your client’s level of engagement will help you enhance their experience, bolster your overall client retention and provide you with the opportunity to do your best work.

Learning objective

1. List the factors that contribute to client engagement and how they impact your client’s commitment to therapy as well as your experience as a therapist.

2. Explain how to apply client engagement concepts to client satisfaction assessments in order to identify high and low levels of engagement

3. Apply client engagement principles to therapeutic leadership interactions in a way that promotes connection and trust.

Laura Cross, LMFT

Laura Cross is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified EFT Therapist and Supervisor and owner of a group private practice, Individual and Relationship Therapy Center (IRTC) in Denver, Colorado. Laura is also an AAMFT Approved Supervisor and Practicum Supervisor for the University of Colorado Denver’s Couple and Family Therapy program. Laura and her team focus primarily on serving clients using Emotionally Focused Therapy with individuals, couples, families and all types of relationships. Prior to becoming a therapist, Laura spent 22 years in Washington, DC, specializing in sales and marketing in the medical device industry. During her time in this competitive space, she gained valuable experience working with various types of clients, many with competing and challenging needs. Laura held positions in both sales training and product development, and through this combined experience, Laura learned the critical importance of connecting with, and understanding, the client’s experience in ALL interactions and the profound value of mastering ‘awkward’ conversations in order to maximize each client’s engagement in their therapy journey.

Testimonials from participants

“Laura Cross brings her business background and experience alongside her experience as an EFT therapist and supervisor into our EFT world as she shares how to engage our clients from the first point of contact. Laura’s professional presentation is clear and offers several actionable steps we can employ immediately. Laura warmly welcomes questions and provides focused answers. I highly recommend this workshop.” -Wanda Garner, EFT Therapist and Supervisor

Engagement was so helpful because she takes the EFT Attachment framework and applies it to the entire client journey. She has such a beautiful, clear, and natural ability to teach the material in a concrete, experiential, and compassionate manner. There were a ton of takeaways from this training that I have implemented in my work with clients and it has impacted my overall perspective on some of the business side of things as well. I can't say enough positive things about Laura and her Client Engagement Training!" -Rachel Thomas, MA, LMFT (she/her/hers) Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist and Supervisor