This 4-day course is a comprehensive introductory course to Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples.  The course includes observation of live, unscripted therapy sessions with real couples, presentations of attachment theory and clinical techniques, skills training exercises, and discussion of specific cases of clinical material. By attending, participants will:

• Obtain a clear understanding of the basic experiential and systemic concepts of an “Emotionally Focused” approach to couples therapy.

• Develop skills in helping partners reprocess the emotional responses that maintain relational distress.

• Develop skills in helping partners shape new interaction patterns and bonding events.

• Develop skills to overcome therapeutic impasses with couples.

The externship is recommended for mental health professionals, students and clergy that counsel couples including psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, marriage and family therapists, and mental health interns.