International Society for Emotion-Focused Therapy 

Minimum Training Standards for Couples Therapy Training Programs 

(febr, 2025 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 Couples.

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 for Couples 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 for Couples Training

   1. Entry requirement:

Participants must have a professional training in some form of therapy, either systemic or individual models, and be an accredited practitioner. Note this includes Master’s level or above.* 

   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:  

Complete with a recognized EFT supervisor or supervisor in training (i.e. under the supervision of a recognized EFT supervisor) either:

      or

Individuals who have completed level A are entitled to membership status at level A and to be listed on the isEFT website, substantiated by certificates of completion of level I and II and confirmation of completion of supervision by the isEFT recognized supervisor.

* It is recommended that therapists who have no prior training in humanistic-experiential therapies (eg person-centered, focusing-oriented, gestalt), seek additional training in these approaches, with a specific focus on empathy including the empathic attitudes and empathic attunement to affect and emotion, empathic tracking, empathic reflections and responding.

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

Level B: Completion of EFT for Couples Supervised Practice:

  1. Entry requirement:

Completion of Basic EFT for Couples 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 couples.
• Receive a minimum of 16 hrs of direct supervision with at least 2 couples. 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 Couple supervisor.

Trainees who have completed level B are entitled to membership status at level B and to be listed on the isEFT website, substantiated by confirmation of completion of supervision sessions by their isEFT recognized supervisor.  

Standards Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples training - Level C 

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

Level C: Certified EFT for Couples Therapist

  1. Entry requirement:

EFT Level B: Completion of EFT for Couples Supervised Practice

The sessions will be evaluated by isEFT recognized EFT-supervisors, on the following minimum criteria:

Trainees who have completed level C are entitled to membership status at level C and to be listed on the isEFT website, with confirmation by the isEFT recognized supervisor who has evaluated their skills. 

Standards Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples training - Level D 

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

Entry requirement:

EFT Level C: Certified EFT therapist for Couples for at least 3 years.

Level D: EFT-Couples Supervisor

The minimum criteria to become an EFT for Couples 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.

Trainees who have completed level D are entitled to membership status at level D and to be listed on the isEFT website as Supervisors, with confirmation of attendance of 2 masterclasses, facilitation experience and letter of support from their isEFT recognized supervisor.