In the field of couples psychotherapy today, there are several models to choose from including Gottman, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Imago. Distinguishing between them can feel overwhelming to both clinicians and those who seek their services. At the same time, it’s vital that therapists find a treatment approach that fits their belief system, allows room for their individual style and personality and produces the kind of change that their clients deserve and expect. The purpose of this Intro is to take a ‘deep enough’ dive into EFT and its application with couples and families to help therapists determine whether they would like to learn more about this unique attachment based model.

While the rate of divorce in the US has gone down slightly for first-time marriages, it has increased for re-coupling partners. The need for assistance from psychotherapy for couples and families is not likely to decline anytime soon. Though there are graduate programs that now teach EFT as part of their core curricula, many practicing therapists are not familiar with the model. There tends to be a gap between researchers and practitioners in our field and it is not uncommon for practicing clinicians to feel that they lack the time to read scholarly journals to discern what information could be relevant to their work. By attending this workshop, clinicians will be able to experience and digest EFT at work for themselves and envision how using the model might fit into their practices.

This workshop will include research, including scholarly articles and books, videos of couples working with Master EFT clinicians, a step-by-step explanation of how the model is applied and role plays of how the audience’s most difficult cases would be handled using EFT.

Deborah W. Curtis, LICSW is a graduate of Boston College Graduate School of Social Work. She is a certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist and Supervisor. She has a private practice in Newburyport, MA where she specializes in couples therapy and supervision to clinicians learning EFT. 

Naomi Rather, Ph.D., LCMHC is a psychotherapist is private practice in Newington, NH. Areas of specialization include trauma. grief and Emotionally Focused individual, family and couples work. Naomi’s doctoral research was conducted at Whole Life Health Care, where she studied collaboration across disciplines in healthcare. 

Deb and Naomi met at an EFT training and have worked together to found ,New Hampshire Seacoast EFT to support growth of EFT in this area. Seacoast EFT, is now a non profit and an official community recognized by ICEEFT, the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. Seacoast EFT hosts trainings of nationally recognized teachers, smaller local training and peer support. In 2017 Deb and Naomi began an EFT based podcast for couples called "The Couch Where Marriage Counselors Talk About Relationships”. On the podcast they interview guest experts and address a wide range of topics facing couples today. The podcast can be found on Itunes and has over 30,000 downloads.