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EFT is a structured approach to couples therapy formulated in the early 80’s by Drs. Sue Johnson and Les Greenberg.
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Core Skills

The Standard Core Skills training is a total of 24 hours of training: 12 hours dedicated to Stage One and 12 hours dedicated to Stage Two.

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Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) Core Skills: “Core Skills” (also known as “EFCT Core Skills Training”, “Extended Core Skills”, and “Standard Core Skills”) is an advanced training in the EFT for Couples (EFCT) stream. There are also equivalent courses in EFT for Families (EFFT) and EFT for Individuals (EFIT) streams.
Core skills training involves deeper engagement with the following key EFCT processes:

Assessment/Working with Emotion

Focuses on Steps 1-4, with particular attention to assessment, alliance building, empathic attunement and basic EFT skills, as well as identifying the negative interactive cycle.

Cycle De-escalation

Continues with the first stage of EFT with a focus on formulating the cycle, fostering de-escalation, accessing primary emotion and associated skills.

Restructuring positions: Withdrawer Engagement

Emphasizes working with primary emotion, teaches associated skills and focuses on withdrawer re-engagement.

Restructuring positions: Softening / Consolidation

Continues to focus on working with primary emotion, and places special emphasis on blamer softening. The third stage of EFT (steps 8 and 9) is also addressed.
Overview
Standard Core Skills is a reformatting of the Extended Core Skills to comprise a total of 24 hours of training: 12 hours dedicated to Stage One and 12 hours dedicated to Stage Two. The training can be offered online or in person by an ICEEFT-Certified Trainer. Just like the Extended version, Standard Core Skills workshops are considered core training and one of the requirements for certification in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy. Applicants for certification are required to attend the full 24 hours. Upon completion of the full 24 hours, trainers will issue Standard Core Skills certificates to participants.

Participants are required to present their own work through audio/videotape presentation. Registrants will be required to declare their professional designation.

Please note: While both the Standard (24hr) and Extended (48hr) versions of Core Skills qualify toward ICEEFT Certification, participants must complete one or the other. In other words, participants in an Extended Core Skills may not simply stop after 24 hours and receive a certificate of completion. The pacing of the curriculum for each version of Core Skills is not the same.

We are currently only offering the Standard (24hr) Core Skills training.
What will I learn in “EFCT Core Skills”?
• Deepen your understanding of the EFT model and its application in couple’s therapy.

• Develop EFCT skills through a combination of instructional review, skill demonstrations, and live session observations.

• Engage in hands-on practice of EFT techniques and exercises.

• Receive individual feedback on your EFCT skills development via case presentations.

• Delve deeper into the EFT tango, understanding its application within different stages of therapy.

• Apply the EFT model through role-plays and discussions, aiming towards certification.
Who is this training for?
Core Skills training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is designed for mental health professionals who seek a deeper mastery of EFT for couples therapy. This includes psychologists, psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, registered marriage and family therapists, counsellors, and specialists in abuse and addiction. Participants are required to be a member of a mental health professional organization and currently working, or in the process of training to work, with couples in their clinical practice. The program equips participants with advanced skills in applying EFT’s therapeutic techniques and interventions, essential for those on the path to becoming certified EFT therapists.
Prerequisites & Sequence
EFCT Externship must be completed prior to taking EFCT Core Skills.
Required reading: The Practice of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: Creating Connection, 3rd edition, by Susan M. Johnson, 2020. Routledge.

Recommended reading: Becoming an Emotionally Focused Therapist: The Workbook, 2nd edition, by James L. Furrow, Susan M. Johnson, Brent Bradley, Lorrie L. Brubacher, T. Leanne Campbell, Veronica Kallos-Lilly, Gail Palmer, Kathryn Rheem, Scott R. Woolley, 2022. Routledge.

Upcoming Events

04
Sep, 2026

EFCT Standard Core Skills 2026

Online
Duration: 4 days
This training is held over four days, accumulating to 24 hours of training. Each session is designed for a small group of participants to explore and refine the skills used in the EFCT model. Each session will include practical instruction, experiential exercises, video examples, and case consultation.
Speakers
Elmien Lesch
ICEEFT Certified EFT Trainer, South Africa. Clinical Psychologist and Professor
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Previous Events

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30
Aug, 2024

Basic Core Skills 2024

Online
Duration: 4 days
In-depth exploration of Stages 1, 2 and 3 of the EFT model and interventions, and engaging in experiential exercises and role-plays.
Speakers
Elmien Lesch
ICEEFT Certified EFT Trainer, South Africa
Dr Jenny Fitzgerald
ICEEFT Certified EFT Trainer, Australia
12
Sep, 2025

Core Skills 2025

Online
Duration: 4 days
This training involves 2 morning and 2 afternoon sessions of 3 to 4 hours each. Each session is designed for a small group of participants to explore and refine the skills used in the EFCT model. Each session will include practical instruction, experiential exercises, video examples, and case consultation.
Speakers
Elmien Lesch
ICEEFT Certified EFT Trainer, South Africa. Clinical Psychologist and Professor
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