International Society for Emotion-Focused Therapy 

Minimum Training Standards for Individual Therapy Training Programs 

(June, 2024 Version)

The isEFT Board has created minimum standards for training programs in order for the program to be recognised as an isEFT certified training that meets criteria for training in EFT for Individuals.

Below are the minimal requirements and may be expanded by institutes depending on their training program of the 5 levels of recognitoin and also the possibility of certification: 

• Level A: Completion of Basic EFT Training
• Level B: Completion of EFT Supervised Practice
• Level C: Certified EFT Therapist
• Level D:  Supervisor
• Level E: Trainer 

Standards Emotion Focused Therapy training - Level A 

These are the minimal requirements and may be expanded by institutes depending on their training program.

Level A: Completion of Basic EFT Training

   1. Entry requirement:

Participants must have a professional training in some form of therapy and be an accredited practitioner. *

   2. Complete didactic/experiential workshop training Levels 1 & 2: (minimum of 8 days

        with in vivo small group skills practice) delivered by EFT trainers, covering:

   3. Supervision requirement:  

       Completewith a recognized EFT supervisor either:

      or

Individuals who have completed level A will receive a certificate from the institute where the training was delivered.

They are entitled to membership status at level A and to be listed on the isEFT website.

* It is recommended that therapist who have no prior training in humanistic-experiential therapies (eg person-centered, focusing-oriented, gestalt), seek additional training in empathic tracking, and responding.

These are the minimal requirements and may be expanded by institutes depending on their training program.

Level B: Completion of EFT Supervised Practice:

  1. Entry requirement:

Completion of Basic EFT Training - Level A  

  2. Supervision of videos of therapy sessions with a recognized EFT supervisor

• Accumulate a total of at least 60 hours of direct client contact applying EFT principles and techniques (empathy, deepening, tasks, and case formulation) with a minimum of 2 clients.
• Receive a minimum of 16 hrs of direct supervision with at least 2 cases. Supervision may be in group or individual format. If supervision is received in a group format, there must be 16 hours of personal supervision of your own therapy practice.
• Attendance must be confirmed by the EFT supervisor.

Trainees who have completed level B will receive a certificate from the institute where the training was delivered.

They are entitled to membership status at level B and to be listed on the isEFT website. 

Standards Emotion Focused Therapy training - Level C 

These are the minimal requirements and may be expanded by institutes depending on their training program.

Level C: Certified EFT Therapist

  1. Entry requirement:

EFT Level B: Completion of EFT Supervised Practice

The sessions will be evaluated by supervisors, selected by the national/regional institutes, on the following criteria:

Trainees who have completed level C will receive a certificate from the institute where the training was delivered.

They are entitled to membership status at level C and to be listed.

Standards to become Emotion Focused Therapy Supervisors - Level D 

These are the minimal requirements and may be expanded by institutes depending on their training program.

Level D: EFT-Individual Supervisor

• National/regional institutes and/or EFT-trainers determine who is qualified to provide supervision in EFT.
• In consultation with the heads and/or trainers of national/regional institutes supervisors of EFT will evaluate level B trainees to determine if they qualify for level C certification.
• Supervisors of EFT will be listed on the isEFT website. 

The minimum criteria to become an EFT supervisor for those without previous experience as a supervisor:

1. Therapists who have attained EFT level C and have practiced for a minimum of three years.
2. Attendance of at least 2 masterclasses led by isEFT approved trainers.
3. At least one round of shadowing or facilitating for level A (EFT I and II).
4. At least 5 hours of direct meta-supervision, in which recordings of at least 3 supervision sessions were reviewed and approved by an EFT Trainer.

Recommendations:

1. Attendance at an ISEFT approved Supervision Training Workshop for a minimum of 18 hours.
2. Attendance at the bi-annual training meeting organized by the isEFT board.
3. Attendance of conferences and masterclasses on a regular basis.