The Ethical Tightrope: Navigating Challenges in EFT

Certificate of Attendance: 3 hours
Counts for AzBBHE's ethics CEUs licensure renewal.
Workshop Description:
Utilizing Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with clients presents distinctive challenges, whether working with couples, individuals, or families. In our session, we will explore specific ethical challenges that may arise and discuss effective strategies for navigating these situations using an Ethical Decision-Making Framework. Whether you attended the AZEFT Ethics training last year or are new to employing Ethical Decision Making, this will provide an opportunity for both review and the enhancement of decision-making skills. Additionally, participants will engage with the framework through the analysis of new case studies.
A particularly noteworthy challenge in the application of EFT is determining when and how to refer a client out. While Emotionally Focused Therapy serves as a profound modality forming the foundation of our work with clients, ethical considerations arise when it appears not to be the most suitable approach. This session will delve into the ethical dilemma of identifying the point at which EFT may not align with a client's needs. Participants will learn strategies for exploring personal barriers within themselves and their clients regarding EFT, all while recognizing the possibility that EFT may not universally suit every client. This interactive training aims to empower participants to grant themselves the permission to understand both their own and the model's limitations, all while considering the ethical implications involved.
Approach this session with an openness to embrace your humanity and that of your clients as we collectively engage in this interactive ethics training experience!
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will develop an ethical decision-making framework informed by a systemic lens utilizing various scenarios when practicing EFT.
2. Participants will be able to list and describe the ethical principles for client care, including how those principles apply to our own personal and professional limits and not assuming we will be able to help every type of client with EFT.
3. Participants will develop an ethical transition plan to successfully close out a client when best for client care.

About the speaker:

Bonnie Lewis, LMFT, is a Certified EFT Therapist and EFT Supervisor-In-Training. Practicing since 2014, one of Bonnie’s passions is teaching and mentorship. As an approved Supervisor with the AZBBHE and Clinical Director at Therapy with Heart, she enjoys providing supervision to practicing professionals in their journey towards obtaining their license. Bonnie has worked as a teacher’s assistant and is currently an adjunct professor and group supervisor at Fuller Theological Seminary for the Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Program. She facilitates couples workshops like Hold Me Tight and Created for Connection to help couples remove stumbling blocks to vulnerability to then be able to go deeper in their connection, resulting in their relationship being a source of healing. She was the Director of Training for AZEFT Board and is actively involved in the EFT Community. When not working, Bonnie cherishes the time with her husband and two daughters. She values her family, time outdoors, reading, traveling, being active, and connecting with her community.

Host or Publisher Emotionally Focused Therapy for Arizona