Introduction to Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples • Webinar
presenter: Jamie Levin-Edwards, PSY.D.
date: December 13, 2025 • 12:00-5:15pm
LOCATION: ONLINE ON ZOOM
5 CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS
Workshop Overview
Emotion-focused therapy for couples (EFT-C) is an empirically validated approach based on an impressive body of research that has accumulated over 45 years. Originally developed by Leslie Greenberg in the 80’s with his then-graduate student Susan Johnson, the original model evolved into two schools that overlap considerably in theory and practice but also have some significant differences. Our unique approach to EFT-C integrates Greenberg’s and Johnson's schools as well as research from modern attachment theory and relational psychoanalytic psychotherapy. For more information about our approach
While many approaches describe how to work with emotion, few explain how to facilitate deeper, long lasting emotional change in practice. Greenberg’s school has developed increasingly sophisticated models of the underlying emotional change process that is the same for individual and couple therapy. Understanding these models facilitates integrating individual and couple therapy interventions, producing a more flexible approach to couple as well as helping therapists to resolve some common impasses in couple therapy.
The basic change model in Greenberg’s school involves a three step process: first, clarify the secondary defensive emotions that maintain negative cycles in couples; second, access the partners’ underlying painful primary maladaptive emotions (e.g. shame); third, transform primary maladaptive emotions by developing partners’ capacity to access and express their more vulnerable, primary adaptive emotions. For more information about this change model
This presentation will provide an overview of EFT-C, including a brief history of the development of the approach and the differences between Johnson and Greenberg’s models, a summary the outcome and process research supporting EFT, and a discussion of how Greenberg’s approach conceptualizes and works with emotion. The treatment process and one of the “maps” that Greenberg’s approach uses to facilitate deeper emotional change will be described. Video of a therapy session with an escalated couple will be used to illustrate the change model in practice.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
Name a significant different between Greenberg and Johnson’s schools.
Explain the difference between basic emotions and emotion schemes.
Name the components of an emotion scheme.
Distinguish between secondary, primary maladaptive and primary adaptive emotion schemes.
Explain the three-step emotional change model.
Describe the three stages of treatment from an EFT-C perspective.
COST
Licensed: $195
Pre-Licensed: $145
Student: $97
Continuing Education Credit
The webinar provides five hours of CE. There will be no certificate of completion given for partial attendance. Please note that it is the responsibility of the licensee to check with their state board to verify CE requirements for their state and reciprocal approvals.
Edwards Psychotherapy has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7622. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Edwards Psychotherapy is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.
REFUNDS AND CANCELLATION POLICY
You can cancel your registration up to 15 days prior to the date of the webinar. A $25 cancellation fee will be assessed for all cancellations. After that date, Edwards Psychotherapy does not offer refunds. Edwards Psychotherapy reserves the right to cancel the webinar for any reason. In the unlikely event that the webinar is cancelled or rescheduled, liability will be limited to a refund of the cost paid for the webinar (minus any processing fees).
SPECIAL NEEDS
Please inform us a minimum of 30 days in advance if you require any special needs accommodations.
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