WASHINGTON BALTIMORE COMMUNITY FOR EFT

Welcome to the Washington Baltimore Community for EFT

Our goal and mission is to train local mental health professionals in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). We aim to build our local EFT community through ongoing introductory and advanced trainings, supervision groups and opportunities to connect and network with other therapists growing in this model.

We are affiliated with the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) originated by Sue Johnson, Ed.D.

EFT is a dynamic, empirically validated, humanistic psychotherapeutic approach to working with couples, families and individuals. It is informed by attachment theory and an understanding of the role of emotion in human connection and relationship. EFT is simultaneously intuitive yet complex. We seek to support therapists seeking to learn and grow in this highly effective approach to therapy. Please look through our various training and community events and consider joining our network. We look forward to connecting with you. d supervision groups.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • WBCEFT Externship

    with Dr. Paul Guillory, ICEEFT Certified Trainer

    September 16-19, 2025

    9am-5pm ESt

    Live, in person at Marymount University Ballston Conference Center, Arlington VA

    Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) externship is the major entry point for therapists learning this comprehensive series of training programs to gain a basic understanding of the EFT theory and clinical techniques of working with couples. EFT was developed by Sue Johnson and is being presented by the ICEEFT certified trainer Paul Guillory, PhD. Sue Johnson has published several outstanding books & training videos for learning the EFT model and three treatment modalities. Dr. Guillory is the author of the Trailblazing book … "Emotionally Focused Therapy with an African American couple.”

    Learn More
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Previous Events

  • Working with Trauma with Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)

    with Dr. T. Leanne Campbell Registered Psychologist and ICEEFT Certified Trainer

    January 17, 2025

    12pm-4:15pm EST

    Virtual via Zoom

    This workshop will focus on and provide a brief introduction to the theory and practice of EFT in working with individuals who are struggling with the echoes of trauma. The focus will be on understanding the impacts of trauma and core models of health and dysfunction from an attachment perspective, the primacy of emotion and the foundational requisite of creating a safe haven alliance in transforming trauma.

  • EFCT with Sexual and Gender Minority Clients: Some Techniques and Considerations

    with David Avruch, LCSW-C

    January 15, 2025

    1pm-3pm EST

    Virtual via Zoom

    Attachment longings are universal, but diversity is increasingly the norm among couples seeking EFCT. During this training, we will draw from attachment theory, published research, the EFCT toolbox, David's experience serving LGBTQ+ couples, and some taped EFCT sessions. Our goal is to explore how clinicians can serve sexual and gender minority couples respectfully and effectively within a changing landscape - whether we emerge from the LGBTQ+ community or not.

  • Working with Ambivalence in EFT

    with Dr. Ting Liu, ICEEFT Certified Trainer

    February 7, 2025

    9am-4:40pm EST

    Live, In-Person in Falls Church VA

    Clients bring ambivalence to therapy in different ways. For example, they may not comply with treatment, they may blame the therapist unreasonably, or they may not agree on therapy goals or the future of their relationships. Typical EFT process and intervention may lead to more uncertainty, frustration, or hopelessness. In this workshop, participants will learn to distill ambivalence through an attachment lens, identify the signs of relationship and therapy ambivalence, de-escalate the cycle of ambivalence, address impasses when working with ambivalence.

Diversity and Inclusion

WBCEFT is committed to being an organization of diversity and belonging and that incorporates anti-racism practices. As a community of EFT Therapists, we promote healthy relationships and secure connections. We recognize that safety- emotional, physical and psychological-- is the foundation and is essential to creating connections. We acknowledge that the EFT community has not been responsive and attuned enough to Black, Indigenous, Latino and other People of Color, LGBTQIA+ communities and the Disability community. We understand that this lack of responsiveness and attunement has at times caused harm and lack of safety. Here at WBCEFT we believe in the inherent value and worth of every person and strive to create an environment where we are culturally responsive, encouraging of open dialogue and consistent humble learners of humankind.