Emotion Focused Therapy Skills and Training

Portland Emotion Focused Therapy™

Training for Therapists

We provide training in emotion-focused psychotherapy (EFT) with an emphasis on developing a solid foundation in the core principles of EFT that underlie work with either individuals or couples. Emotion-focused therapy integrates relational principles from client-centered therapy, modern emotion and attachment theory, and process-experiential principles from gestalt therapy. These principles are incorporated into detailed, research based tasks that provide powerful, effective interventions. Viewing the therapist’s presence and the therapy relationship as a critical part of the change process while using optimal, emotion focused tasks to move the therapy forward is the hallmark of EFT, whether working with individuals or couples.

Core Training Groups

We offer two core training groups, EFT for individuals and EFT for couples. This training provides a comprehensive theoretical and experiential foundation in emotion-focused therapy. Each group meets monthly for a total of 35 hours of training. The format includes readings, lectures, skill building exercises, role plays, and videos of therapy sessions. Our approach to training is information dense, well-organized and offers a clear-cut map of the EFT therapy model and specific tasks. Throughout our training we connect theory with practice and keep the learning experience lively, clinically relevant, and interactive. More information about our core training groups >>

Small Group Training Seminars

Following these core training groups we offer ongoing seminars for advanced training. These seminars are composed of two to four therapists meeting for one hour weekly or every other week. The format is a brief review and discussion of the selected reading followed by consultation and role plays. The readings are chosen by the group from a list of Books for Training Seminars.

Consultation

We also offer consultation to therapists on both an ongoing basis and for single appointments to assist with clinical or practice management issues.

For More Information

If you are interested in training, consultation, or finding out more about emotion-focused therapy, please call or email us. We would enjoy talking with you about your needs or answering any questions you may have. Contact us >>


Comments About Our Training

"Excellent organization and handouts."


"Charles and Jamie, your warmth and supportiveness really facilitates the learning process. You were always reassuring and encouraging."


"Charles and Jamie keep things lively and interesting. I really looked forward to doing this every month. Thanks for a great learning experience!"


"Your teaching on Greenberg’s integration of affect regulation...into the Emotion Focused approach provided an essential component for my work with couples experiencing high levels of distress related to trauma."


"Jamie and Charles are also trained in psychodynamic therapy and have other theoretical lenses so they teach from a wide knowledge base."


"Jamie and Charles are clearly top notch clinicians and trainers. Their presentations are clear, concise, varied, and always interesting. They have gleaned immense amounts of state of the art theory...and present it in such a way that you are fascinated throughout...Highly personable and not threatening. I cannot recommend this training highly enough."