2023/24 EFT Core Skills Training in Cambridge, ON - Online

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For more information please contact:

Debbie Wang at:

Emotionally Focused Therapy Core Skills Training Cambridge, ON - Online!

The overall goal of the Core Skills Training is to take the overview knowledge gained in reading EFT literature and in an EFT Externship and turned it into a procedural map for intervention for the therapist. Additionally, Core Skills Training provides EFT immersion in a small group with a minimum of 10 participants (one trainer) and a maximum of 16/17 participants can be accommodated if there is a trainer and a certified EFT supervisor. Training occurs on the following levels:

1. Instruction and review of the EFT model.
2. Demonstration of skills through video recording, role-play and/or live session.
3. Practice of skills through exercises and role-plays.
4. Individual feedback of EFT skills development through case presentation.
5. Discussion of cases as relevant to the context material of each workshop.
6. A deeper look at the macro intervention, the EFT tango, in each stage.

The EFT Core Skills Training consists of 4 2-day modules (training) followed by a 1 - day module of participant presentations and is designed to follow the EFT Externship.  
In the Core Skills training, participants spend more time learning the EFT stages and interventions. Each of the training modules is 2-day - 12 hours and consists of instruction by a certified ICEEFT trainer.  In the first two modules, participants deepen their understanding of Stage #1 of EFT - Deescalation. In the second two modules, participants will learn how to restructure interactions and create bonding moments for their couples creating second order change.  At the fifth module, participants come together and present a small 15 minute video or audio of their work (couple or family) with an EFT Certified Supervisor and is a necessary module for EFT certification.

The Core Skills material is taught with a variety of teaching methods including lecture, interactive discussions, role plays, video demonstrations and live session consultations and follows the learning guidelines set out by the Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT).  This is a 54-hour training course and is a further step to becoming a Certified EFT Therapist.  Participants are required to commit to all five modules in order to create a cohesive group that is a safe and secure place to learn and explore, take risks and have fun! 

5th Module - Each participant is required to bring a small section of video of their work to view for trainer/group supervision.  This requirement is to help clinicians begin to video their sessions and watch their own work, which is a key way of learning EFT.  It is not about showing perfect EFT!  Please contact Debbie Wang if you have questions or concerns about this.

It is our main goal to create a safe and secure place to explore, take risks, be vulnerable and learn!


In her new book, 'Attachment Theory in Practice', Sue Johnson states the EFT tango is the basic intervention that the therapist employs again and again in all stages and forms of EFT (Johnson - 2019).

Participants of the Core skills will spend time learning the 5 moves of the tango, watching it being executed in EFT videos and a live session and practice the intervention in role-plays.

This training is for mental health practitioner interested in learning the EFT model including Psychologists, Psychoanalysts, Psychiatrists, Psychotherapists, Social Workers, MFTs, RMFTs, Counsellors, Abuse and Addiction Counsellors.

This training is an intermediate level EFT training. Prerequisite: EFT 28-hour Externship.

Meet your ICEEFT Trainers

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Gail Palmer


Gail Palmer, RMFT, MSW is one of the founding members of the Ottawa Couple and Family Institute and Co-director of the International Center of Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy. Gail holds a Masters degree in Social Work and is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist in Canada. Over the past 30 years, Gail has worked closely with Dr. Sue Johnson, creator of Emotion Focused Therapy, and is an experienced supervisor and trainer in EFT. She currently offers workshops, externships, and core skills trainings to mental health professionals in a variety of different settings across the world. Gail chairs the ICEEFT Educational Committee and is responsible for mentoring and training EFT trainers internationally. Gail is an adjunct faculty member of Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada and a seasonal lecturer at Oxford University, Oxford, England.

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Robin Williams Blake

Robin is a registered psychotherapist and a certified Emotionally Focused Therapy trainer and supervisor. Presently he is a faculty member in the graduate program for Sir Wilfrid Laurier University where he teaches EFT Externships and Core Skills as well as serves as a guest speaker in their continued education program. In the past few years Robin has taught EFT at York University in their graduate social work program as well as been invited by Mount Sinai Hospital to present in their level two trauma clinic. Robin is a former adjunct faculty member of the Living Institute of Existential-Integrative Psychotherapy with he taught an introduction to EFT for 4 years. Robin trains EFT in Fredericton, Cambridge, York region, and Toronto and is pleased to add Edmonton to his list of Canadian cities this fall. He is the co-founder of the Toronto Centre for EFT and has been a director since 2005. Robin has been in private practice in Toronto for 20 years where he sees individuals, couples and families with adult children using the EFT model as well providing EFT consultation to psychotherapists working towards EFT certification.

Training Schedule



Module One - November 2/3, 2023 9:00 AM - 3:45 PM (EST)
ICEEFT Trainer, Gail Palmer

Stage One of EFT – Cycle De-escalation | Relationship Stabilization
Steps One – Alliance and Assessment
Step Two –Identifying negative cycle and attachment issues

Skills training:
1. Building a positive alliance
Method: didactic, handouts, video demonstration
2. Assessment
Method: didactic, handouts, video demonstration, live role-play; practice
3. Treatment planning/the EFT map
Method: didactic, handouts, video demonstration, live role-play, practice, presentations
4. Identifying negative cycle
Method: didactic, video demonstration, live role-play, practice
5. EFT interventions
Method: didactic, handouts, video demonstrations

Module Two - /December 7/8, 2023 9:00 AM - 3:45 PM (EST)
ICEEFT Trainer, Robin Williams Blake


Stage One of EFT– De-escalation | Relationship Stabilization
Step Three–Access underlying attachment emotions
Step Four – Reframe problem as the cycle that takes over them over

Skills training:
1. Elements of Emotion
Method: didactic, video demonstration, small group practice
2. Heightening and RISSSC
Method: didactic, video demonstration, live role-play, practice
3. Enactments
Method: didactic, video demonstration, live role-play, practice
4. Negative Cycle Reflections and Reformulations
Method, didactic, video demonstration, live role-play, practice
5. Assessing for Cycle De-escalation
Method: didactic, video demonstration, practice, group discussion


Module Three - January 11/12, 2024 9:00 AM - 3:45 PM (EST)
ICEEFT Trainer, Gail Palmer

Stage Two - Restructuring the bond focusing on Withdrawer Reengagement
Steps Five - Access implicit needs, fears, models of self
Steps Six - Promote acceptance by other – expand dance
Steps Seven - Structure reach and respond – express attachment needs – create bonding interactions

Skills training:
1. Evocative Responses to expand emotion
Method: didactic, video demonstration, practice, role play, transcript
2. Promoting acknowledgment and acceptance
Method: didactic, video demonstration, practice, working with parts of self
3. Choreographing a withdrawer's reach
Method: didactic, video demonstration, live role-play practice, exercises

Module Four - Feb 15/16, 2024 9:00 AM - 3:45 PM (EST)
ICEEFT Trainer, Robin Williams Blake

Stage Two - Restructuring the bond focusing on Pursuer Softening
Steps Five - Access implicit needs, fears, models of self
Steps Six - Promote acceptance by other – expand dance
Steps Seven - Structure reach and respond – express attachment needs – create bonding interactions

Stage III– Consolidation and integration
Steps Eight - Facilitating new solutions
Steps Nine - Consolidate new positions, cycles, stories of secure attachment

Skills training:

1. Understand key elements of blamer softening
Method: didactic, video demonstration, practice
2. Process and distilled blamer's fears and longings
Method: didactic, video demonstration, practice, assisted role-play
3. Consolidation
Method: didactic, handouts, small group exercises, consolidating therapist's goals and progress utilizing the EF T fidelity scale

Module Five - March 22, 2024 9:00 AM - 3:45 PM (EST)
Case Presentations with ICEEFT Supervisor, Debbie Wang and Associates

Each participant will bring a small section of video of their work to view for supervisor/group supervision. This requirement is to help clinicians to begin to video their sessions and watch their own work which, is a key way of learning EFT. It's not about showing perfect EFT!
Please contact Debbie Wang if you have any questions.

    16-17 Participant maximum

    Total cost for Training $2340 (CANADIAN)

    Payment Breakdown

    $520 for each module 1, 2, 3 and 4.

    $260 for 5th module
    (Participant's Presentations Day)

    Taxes Included where applicable.


    Payment Schedule

    $500 deposit to hold your spot.

    Deposit includes $100 X 5 prepayment for each module and is non refundable after September 1st.

    $420 for each module 1, 2, 3 and 4.
    Payment due one week before each module.

    $160 for 5th module due one week before.

    Workshops begin on Thursday and Friday 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM (1/2 hour lunch and two small breaks)

    Location: ONLINE

    Please fill out the registration form and make a deposit payment to hold your spot!

    REGISTRATION FORM






    Cambridge Core Skills









    Cambridge Core Skills




    CEs will be offered for this training.

    There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.

    For more information, questions or concerns please contact:

    Debbie Wang at: