Many therapies have a strong focus on how we think, and use talking to help resolve our difficulties. Whilst this approach can be extremely effective, some clients may find this approach insufficient in addressing their emotional difficulties such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or other challenges.
Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) is an empirically-supported, evidence-based treatment developed over many decades. It is inspired by both humanistic and gestalt traditions in psychology. EFT involves a style that combines both following and guiding a client’s experiential process, and emphasises both relationship and intervention skills.
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The Australian Institute of Emotion Focused Therapy (AIEFT) was established in 2016 to provide training in Emotion Focused Therapy and establish a Melbourne based community of EFT practitioners. AIEFT trainers are certified by the International Society for Emotion Focused Therapy (isEFT), an organisation originally established in Toronto, Canada by Dr Leslie Greenberg and colleagues to promote EFT globally and develop an international community of EFT trainers, supervisors and therapists.
AIEFT offers isEFT standard Levels 1, 2 and 3 training in EFT and the supervision required to become an internationally certified EFT therapist. AIEFT also provides training for EFT supervisors and welcomes accomplished international EFT trainers to deliver master classes in a variety of areas of professional development. AIEFT provides support and resources for EFT practitioners including group supervision, practise days and access to a local community of like-minded practitioners.
Become an AIEFT Member to be part of the larger Emotion Focused Therapy community committed to the growth and development of EFT in Australia.
(Accredited Practitioner Members only)
The following therapists have completed the requisite training and supervision to be certified as EFT practitioners by the Australian Institute of Emotion Focused Therapy and are eligible for membership of the International Society for Emotion Focused Therapists as Level C Certified EFT Therapists. For more details about individual practitioners, click on their photos.
Our goal is to provide multiple options for training delivery throughout the year, catering to diverse learning preferences and geographical locations. This includes wholly in-person and online trainings, as well as hybrid models with both in-person and online components.
EFT training can be beneficial for mental health professionals, such as psychologists, social workers and counsellors, who are interested in expanding their knowledge and skills in EFT.
Yes, EFT is a flexible and integrative approach to therapy that can be incorporated into various practice models
Participants receive a certificate of completion at the end of each training. Those wishing to pursue Australian and international certification as an EFT therapist should refer to our information on certification.
A mental health qualification is a prerequisite for all of our courses with the exception of our Foundations in EFT Course.
To enrol in an EFT course, it is recommended that you have prior training or experience in counselling as EFT may be challenging for individuals who do not have prior counselling experience.
No. AIEFT offers training in Emotion Focused Therapy for use with individuals. However, our Western Australian associates, waiEFT offer an equivalent training in Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples.
Although the title “Emotion Focused Therapist” is not a legally protected term, AIEFT recommends that those who have completed EFT training should use a phrase such as “using an emotion focused therapy approach” rather than claiming the title of “Emotion Focused Therapist.” The AIEFT suggests reserving the title for those who have completed all the necessary training and accreditation processes to obtain certification as EFT practitioners from the AIEFT and the International Society for Emotion Focused Therapists (isEFT).
It takes many years to become a really competent EFT therapist, it is an approach that needs to be embodied and ‘lived’. Certification provides a path to understanding the profound and transformational nature of EFT which a basic training only touches on. Certification also opens to door to becoming an EFT Facilitator and Supervisor.
We offer a limited number of psychology or psychotherapy post-graduate students the unique opportunity to attend our trainings free of charge by assisting the trainer with simple tasks throughout the training duration. This is only available for in person trainings. If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please read our student helper page. We look forward to hearing from you!
