Welcome to our inaugural edition of

The isEFT Times

Edition 1, January 2024

Hello everyone,

and a big welcome to the first isEFT international community newsletter!

Our lofty goal is to build engagement and a sense of community between existing isEFT members around the world, creating a sense of belonging, connection, and shared knowledge.

Throughout this first edition, you’ll receive lots of helpful information for your EFT practice, along with invitations to share your voice with us, your editors, Sarah Thompson and Ladan Safvati

We WANT to hear from you! Please use a subject heading “isEFT newsletter” and email us your ideas at:

Sarah Thompson

sarah@transformingemotions.ca

I’m a Clinical Psychologist and isEFT certified therapist, supervisor, and trainer currently working as the director and founder of the private practice, Transforming Emotions, in Toronto, Canada. I’m also an adjunct member at Toronto Metropolitan University. I love my family and all things EFT!

Ladan Safvati

EFTSoCal@gmail.com

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and isEFT certified therapist and supervisor. I am the founder and director of the Southern California Institute of Emotion Focused Therapy, working in private practice, Family Connection counseling, in Los Angeles, USA. Besides EFT, I love nature hikes, animals and spending time with kids, especially my grandkids. 

In this edition, you’ll find:

1. Laugh of the Day
2. Fresh Content from Us to You
3. Let’s Get to Know Each Other
4. Clinician Toolbox
5. Upcoming Events
6. New EFT Resources
7. Training Opportunities
8. Membership Perks
9. Invitation to Join

Let's start with our laugh of the day:

“Why do people find EFT such a simple yet powerful model?

Because Les is more.”

Courtesy of  Aksel Inge Sinding, Norway

Fresh Content from Us to You!

Do you have an idea you’d like to write about for the isEFT newsletter - a theoretical advancement, an emerging new trend in practice, or tips you’d like to share from your own cultural context? Send us your submissions (500 words maximum please)!

To start us off, we're delighted to have an original contribution from the isEFT Board (Jeanne, Rhonda, Juliette, Lars, Serine) and Advisory Committee (Les, Robert) about how this growing international community came to be.

Putting the NEW in NEWsletter 

"The story of the emergence of Emotion Focused Therapy and isEFT can be told in different ways, but it’s clear that its early development in the late 1980’s took place primarily at York University and the University of Toledo, and involved Les Greenberg, Laura Rice, Robert Elliott, Jeanne Watson, Rhonda Goldman and a larger circle of others too numerous to list here.

The early development of EFT was fostered within three more general psychotherapy scientific-professional organizations: The Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR), the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (SEPI), and the World Association for Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counseling (WAPCEPC). All the EFT founders served in important leadership positions in these organizations, and the openness, inclusiveness and adventurous spirit of these organizations is an important part of the DNA of isEFT.

Nevertheless, it was easy for EFTers to feel a bit lost in these larger settings, and so in the first decade of this century, we began to think about starting an EFT-specific professional society encouraged by the members of the community. We felt it was important to respond to the expressed needs of EFTers to have a home of their own and a more formal structure that would enable them to connect and forge their unique professional identity. We saw the society as a way to advance, disseminate, maintain and grow the approach. According to our records, the first meetings about the formation of what eventually became isEFT occurred around 2010, although it took several years to coalesce in its current form, driven by EFT conferences in 2014 (Hong Kong), 2015 (Veldhoven), 2017 (Toronto), 2019 (Glasgow) and 2023 (Porto). (Due to the pandemic, we had brief online isEFT trainers meetings in 2021 and 2022.)"

That’s probably enough history for one newsletter!

We all wish you a cordial welcome to this next stage of isEFT’s development, thanks to our talented and enthusiastic newsletter editors (Sarah & Ladan)!

And from Sarah and Ladan back to the Board and Advisory Committee, a huge thank you for your attention, your patience, and your enormous efforts in the service of building, strengthening, and expanding this wonderful and growing community!❤️

Let's Get to Know Each Other!

Every edition, we’ll spotlight one EFT certified therapist, supervisor, or institute. Want to share your story with others? Fill out our Spotlight Form here:

●     Click here if you are a therapist or supervisor

●     Click here if you are the head of an institute

This edition, we are spotlighting: TFE BRASIL (Brazilian Institute for Emotion Focused Therapy) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which was launched in 2018.

Website: tfebrasil.com.br

Director: Marco Aurélio Mendes, EFT Trainer

Favorite projects sponsored/organized by your Institute:

My favorite project is spreading EFT in our country. Brazilian psychotherapists have a natural inclination towards compassion and kindness. However, these qualities have been diminishing in the last few decades due to the dominance of rationalist approaches in our field. The Brazilian EFT community is actively collaborating to integrate EFT theory and practice into our tropical culture. Allow me to share some insights into our struggles and achievements.

Initially, Brazilians perceived EFT as a third-wave CBT therapy with just one powerful intervention (chair work). Therefore, our first action was to provide experiential training. We chose topics such as attachment, inner child work, and intimate relationships to immerse students in experiential learning, enabling them to perceive EFT as a humanistic bodily sensing approach. Instead of the traditional four-day intensive workshop for Level I, we extended it to nine days spread throughout the year. This adjustment proved successful, prompting us to apply the same approach to Level II. Concurrently, we initiated groups focusing on the relational aspect of EFT. Many of our students, transitioning from more rational approaches like CBT (the most popular psychotherapy in Brazil), struggled with basic concepts such as a not-knowing attitude, congruence, and being present to the client's core emotional pain. That´s why we focused these groups on relational interventions about psychotherapist´s personal life issues, fostering intimacy, friendships, support, and real comprehension of empathic attunement and presence.

The next phase involved providing literature in Portuguese to assist them. We published a book authored by myself and Les, offering a comprehensive overview of EFT. The book was a success, with the first edition selling out in less than a year. In 2023, we recognized the need to release a second book integrating practice and EFT theory with real cases.

Projeto favorito organizado pelo seu instituto:

Meu projeto favorito é divulgar a TFE em nosso país. As psicoterapeutas brasileiras têm uma inclinação natural para a compaixão e a gentileza. Contudo, estas qualidades foram diminuindo nas últimas décadas devido à dominância de abordagens mais racionalistas em nosso campo da psicologia. A comunidade da TFE no Brasil colabora ativamente ´para integrar teoria e prática à nossa cultura tropical. Deixa eu te falar um pouco de alguns de nossos desafios e conquistas.

Inicialmente, os brasileiros entendiam a TFE como uma terapia cognitiva de terceira-onda com apenas uma intervenção poderosa (a cadeira). Portanto, nossa primeira atitude foi fornecer o treinamento experiencial. Escolhemos tópicos como a teoria do apego, o trabalho com a criança interior e com as relações afetivas para imergir os estudantes , permitindo então que eles percebessem a TFE como uma abordagem humanista e com um senso corporal. Ao invés do tradicional formato de 4 dias para o Nível I, estendemos este para 9 dias durante o ano. Este ajuste se provou bem sucedido o que  nos levou a aplicar o mesmo formato para o Nível II. Concomitantemente, iniciamos grupos de focalização e com ênfase no aspecto relacional da TFE. Muitas de nossas estudantes , que estão em transição pois vêm de abordagens mais racionalistas como a TCC (a abordagem mais popular no Brasil), possuem dificuldades com conceitos como a atitude de não-conhecimento, congruência e estar presente com a dor emocional central do cliente. é por isto que focamos estes grupos nas intervenções relacionais a partir de temas da vida pessoal das próprias psicoterapeutas, fomentando a intimidade, a amizade , o suporte e a real compreensão a partir da vivência entre elas da sintonia empática e da presença.

A outra fase do desenvolvimento aqui foi fornecer literatura em português para auxiliar as alunas. Eu e Les publicamos um livro, oferecendo um panorama compreensivo da TFE. O livro foi um sucesso com a primeira edição esgotada em menos de 1 ano. Em 2023, percebemos a necessidade de lançar um segundo livro integrando teoria e a prática da TFE a partir de casos reais.

One research project you'd like to share with the isEFT community:

We just finished a research project with 31 depressed clients. Clients had gone through 16 to 20 EFT sessions with EFT Brazilian therapists. There was a significant improvement in levels of emotion regulation, perceived stress and depression, measured by specific inventories. Drawing from the insights gained in this research, we are now poised to undertake a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) with EFT for the Brazilian population.

Um projeto de pesquisa que você gostaria de dividir com a comunidade ISEFT:

Nós acabamos de finalizar uma pesquisa com 31 pacientes deprimidos. Foi uma primeira experiência de pesquisa com a TFE e reconhecemos que ainda temos muita coisa para aprender nesta área. As clientes tiveram entre 16 a 20 sessões com terapeutas TFE brasileiras. Houve um ganho significativo em relação aos níveis de regulação emocional , do estresse e da depressão, avaliadas através de inventários específicos. A partir destes insights desta pesquisa inicial, estamos agora preparando um Ensaio Clinico Randomizado (ECT) com a TFE para a população brasileira.

One activity that brings your team members confort of enjoyment:

The most important thing for EFT to flourish in a country where EFT is not yet established is to create a community. This is our main focus. We are always creating opportunities for connections between psychotherapists like mini workshops, case studies and also parties! It is incredibly rewarding to witness people making new friends, having close relationships and providing mutual support for each other.

Alguma atividade que traga prazer ou conforto para os membros da sua equipe:

A coisa mais importante para ajudar a TFE a florescer em um país aonde ela ainda não está estabilizada é construir uma comunidade. Este é o nosso foco principal. Estamos sempre criando oportunidades para formar conexões entre as psicoterapeutas como workshops, estudos de caso e também festas! É extremamente recompensador ser testemunha das novas amizades, das pessoas tendo relações mais próximas e fornecendo suporte mútuo entre elas.

Anything else you'd like everyone to know about your Institute?

In the past five years, our institute has accomplished significant strides in promoting Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) within our local community. However, we recognize the ongoing journey ahead. Our focus remains on building a stronger presence in the Global EFT Community, fostering collaboration, and actively contributing to the widespread adoption of EFT throughout Latin America.

Alguma outra coisa que você gostaria que as pessoas soubessem sobre o seu instituto?

Nos últimos 5 anos, nosso instituto deu passos importantes na promoção da TFE dentro da nossa comunidade. Entretanto, reconheçamos que a jornada só está começando. Nosso foco continua a ser ter uma presença maior na comunidade global da TFE, fomentando a colaboração e contribuindo ativamente para a adoção generalizada da TFE em toda a América Latina.

Clinician's Toolbox

Share the Wealth! Share your Favorite Resources for EFT Clients

You shared, and we are paying it forward! Thank you to everyone who sent us your favorite EFT resources for clients. Here are your picks:

Cute and Informative Videos

The fabulous Alfred and Shadow videos with scripts written by our very own Anne Hilde Vassbø Hagen at Institute for Psychological Counseling in Norway in consultation with Les Greenberg. Follow Alfred on his journey to better understand his emotions, and to learn even more about fear and shame. 

Emotions

Loneliness

Self-criticism

Emotion Focused Website

Looking for information and exercises to help your clients learn about and work with their own emotions? Check out the website developed by isEFT’s Aksel Inge Sinding and Jan Reidar Stiegler at Institute for Psychological Counseling in Norway.

Blog: Focus on Emotions

Looking for some short reads to help your clients learn about emotions, attachment, and therapy? Check out this blog from yours truly, Sarah Thompson, from TransformingEmotions.ca in Toronto:

Love a Good Podcast?

From Dr. Lou at the Australian Institute of Emotion Focused Therapy, check out over 20 episodes of the: Emotion Focused Podcast.

Inspirational Quotes

Thanks to Helen Hargreaves, MSW, RSW at www.rainbowbrain.ca in Toronto Canada who contributed this inspiring quote that she likes to share with clients after processing unfinished business.

"The past is not a burden; it is a scaffold which brought us to this day.

We are free to be who we are-to create our own life out of our past and out of the present.

We are our ancestors. When we can heal ourselves,

we also heal our ancestors, our grandmothers, our grandfathers and our children.

When we heal ourselves, we heal Mother Earth” 

Quote from Grandmother Rita Pitka Blumenstein, Yup'ik, Tununak, Alaska, International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers.

Have more great tips we can share? Email us and let us know!

Upcoming Events

The fabulous Shari Geller will be sharing her wisdom with us in a talk entitled Cultivating Presence and Self-Compassion: 'Overcoming Barriers to Presence with Self-Compassion'. Stay tuned to the isEFT listserv for more details.

We are excited to feature Juliette Becking, who will discuss 'Meaning Creation - working with existential questions following life crises and shattered cherished beliefs.' Additionally, Shari Geller will join us for a conversation on 'Self-Compassion in EFT.' These sessions promise to be enriching and insightful. Free for all isEFT members!

• Robert Elliot - September 2023: EFT and the Search for Emotionally Rich Learning Communities
• Rhonda Goldman - December 2023; Empathic Affirmation at Vulnerability

Not a member yet?

Don’t worry - just read through to the end of this newsletter and click the link to purchase your membership!

Want to join the listserv? 

On the EFT listserv you can email all members of this listserv. a question, proposal, idea, etc. related to EFT all at once.

To join the listserv, send the following information to listserv.iseft@gmail.com : E-mail address, First Name, Last Name (without punctuation). For example: peter.miller@gmail.com Peter Miller.

Build Your isEFT Network!

These free  networking events allow you an opportunity to connect to your isEFT peers in a variety of time zones. 

Southern California Institute of EFT Networking and Support Group Meetings:

Register at:

https://www.eftsocal.com/rsvpforeftsupportgroup

• Sunday, January 21, 2024, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PST: Sandra Paivio: EFT and Complex Trauma, an APA unpublished video recording with a client
• Sunday, February 18, 2024, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PST: Robert Elliott: systematic evocative unfolding for a problematic reaction, an APA unpublished video recording with a client

Emotion-Focused Therapy Institute, Chicago Study Hall:

RSVP to info@emotionfocusedtherapyinstitute.com

• Friday, February 9th, 2024, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EDT
• Friday, April 12th, 2024, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EDT
• Friday, June 14th, 2024, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EDT

Scottish Institute Networking Meetings:

Register at:

http://www.eft-scotland.org/?page_id=57

• Sunday, 14 Jan 2024, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM PST: Joanne Dolhanty: Emotion-Focused Skills Training (also known as Emotion-Focused Family Therapy)
• Sunday, 17 March 2024 (tentative) 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM PST: Les Greenberg: Three Approaches to Psychotherapy with a Male Client (difficult session)
• Sunday, 19 May 2024 (tentative) 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM PST: Les Greenberg: EFT Over Time, Session 3 (with therapist commentary)
• Sunday, 21 July 2024 (tentative) 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM PST: Robert Elliott: Live Demonstration

The Spanish EFT Community gathers once a month online

Contact by email:

cristina.agullo.coloma@gmail.com

This meetings are in English, because they invite international members of ISEFT to share their research and knowledge. You are all welcome to join!

Next online meetings: 9th February, 7th March, 12th April, 9th May, 11th July. 09.00 am to 11:30 am Madrid time. Sometimes time changes to adjust to the person that is invited.

New EFT Resources!

Have a new published resource you want to share? Send it our way and we’ll put the word out! 

Here are some recent books you may wish to add to your collection:

Training Opportunities

Interested in attending upcoming EFT trainings?

Check out the isEFT training calendar for upcoming events in a time zone near you!

isEFT Membership Perks

• Discount on conference attendance and trainings
• Free attendance at Quarterly Network Meetings
• Access to the isEFT  listserv to stay connected with other emotion focused therapists around the world
• Listing on the website allowing potential clients to locate you in their region
• Access to members only resources including:
• Emotion Videos for Clients
• Videos in training in EFT
• Therapy videos
• Current and Ongoing Research

Invitation to Join

Become a Member today!

Click this link to Join isEFT

Thank you everyone, and we look forward to reaching out again through our next edition in March 2024!

Sarah & Ladan

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