Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Stage 1: Theory & Intervention (3 CEs)

PLEASE NOTE: We are an approved provider of CE Credits for clinical psychologists in the state of New York. At this time we cannot provide CE credits to any other form of mental health professional. However, if you are not a licensed doctoral level clinician in the state of New York you can still attend this course out of interest by purchasing a "General Admission" ticket.

Topic: This intensive 3-hour course will provide an in-depth understanding of theory and interventions used in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) during the first stage of treatment (Stage 1). The course will focus on providing a strong foundation to implementing EFCT through theory, core interventions, and experiential practice. 

Course Description: Couples are continuing to seek therapy at higher rates than ever before as mental health stigma declines and awareness of the importance of adult attachment bonds grows.  While there is great demand for couples therapy, there are unique challenges that therapists face in the room with distressed couples, including increased emotional dysregulation and for many, less clinical training and groundedness in how to intervene. Having a strong theoretical model and map are vital for couples therapists to feel regulated, emotionally attuned to the couple, and effective in the room. This training will support both novice and more experienced couples therapists in honing their understanding and felt skills in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) through didactic and experiential exercises.  Not only is EFCT the most empirically supported treatment in helping distressed couples build strong, secure bonds, it also provides a uniquely humanistic, attachment-focused lens that goes right to the heart of matter. Come find out why therapists and clients alike resonate deeply with this model. 

Location, Date, & Time: Virtual via Zoom, Friday March 28th 2025 from 9:00am-12:00 pm *

*Note: if you are unable to join us live, you can obtain your CE credit via self study by purchasing a "Self Study" ticket. You will receive a video recording to watch and quiz to complete after the event.

Teaching Methods: This educational activity will include lecture, de-identified client examples, experiential exercises, discussion and Q&A.

Learning Objectives: By attending this course, attendees will be able to:

1. Understand and describe the theory underlying emotionally focused couples  therapy (EFCT)
2. Build competency in conducting EFCT assessment sessions, including initial couple, individual, and feedback sessions
3. Track a negative cycle and help couples understand their cycle from an attachment lens
4. Understand and use the EFT tango as a guide of what to do in each couples session 
5. Identify and and practice key interventions aimed at reflecting, deepening and organizing emotion in session
6. Set up and process engaged encounters in session, a key mechanism of change in fighting the negative cycle in helping couples send more direct, emotional signals
7. Engage in experiential exercises and role plays to both build efficacy in implementing EFCT and to understand the inner world of our clients 

Costs, Refunds, and Cancellation Policies: The fee for this course will be $100 for CE credits and $80 for general interest. Refunds will be provided for cancellations made in writing up to 3 business days prior to the start of the event.

Length of Course in Contact Hours: 3 hours (3 CE Units)

Presenter: Emily Pedowitz, Psy.D.

Qualifications:  Dr. Pedowitz is a New York and New Jersey licensed Clinical Psychologist, Couples and Trauma Therapy Specialist, and Supervising Psychologist at Therapists of New York. Dr. Pedowitz provides evidence-based assessment and treatment for adults and couples who are struggling with relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. She earned her doctorate from Rutgers University and completed her internship training in the New York Harbor VA Healthcare System—Brooklyn Campus. She gained specialized training in a postdoctoral fellowship at NYU Langone Medical Center Military Family Center, where she was awarded international certification in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples. Since then, Dr. Pedowitz has provided clinical supervision and workshops to trainees and licensed therapists interested in deepening their knowledge of EFT. She deeply believes in the power of secure attachment in and outside the therapeutic relationship to resource clients through life’s challenges. She is currently a supervisor candidate for emotionally focused couples therapy through ICEEFT.

Host or Publisher Therapists of New York