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EFFT Clinician Newsletters

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November 2019 Edition

 

Welcome to November! I love writing these newsletters – truly. It’s a time to reflect on all things related to my favorite topics - emotion, family and healing… It’s also an incredible reminder about the mystery of time… as in – how could it possibly be November?! Hope you enjoy this month’s tidbits!
 
Party-time!
 
I’ll start with the most fun! Please save the date for an evening of delightful canapés, complimentary wine, prizes and great conversation! Natasha Files and Sheila Paluzzi – my beloved sisters in MHF – are in planning mode to celebrate the publication of the EFFT Clinician’s manual. The event will take place Saturday February 8th, 2020 from 7pm to 10pm at the Fairmont Hotel - Vancouver in BC. We'd ask though that you please RSVP here so that we can plan for your attendance. I look forward to the opportunity to celebrate with you and to personally extend my thanks for supporting this important work. Oh - and the entire IIEFFT Board will be there! Another great group of people who are so much fun! Feeling so so grateful...
 
Musing from friends and colleagues
 
Thanks to the very wise Carolyn Costin for the reminder that when we do anger work with clients and their families, we can’t stop there! As she puts it, “anger is a mask of the truth underneath”. It is a pathway to fear, shame, grief…and this is where the real magic happens. She shares a few particularly poignant snippets from Snowden's new book:
 
"And sometimes our most obvious destructive behaviors conceal something else that is even more difficult for us to acknowledge. We may, for example, be willing to acknowledge our anger, but unwilling to look at the fear and vulnerability beneath it. So we “work on our anger” without touching the raw place underneath."
 
And this…
 
"We have many ways of distracting ourselves so that we don’t feel the full impact of pain. Instead of being accepted into consciousness, the feeling goes underground and enters the cells of our body. It doesn’t go away; it goes in.”
 
Allen Sabey also wrote to share this great link about emotions in the classroom and how we simply cannot separate reason from feeling, including in academic settings of all levels.
 
“Even when conditions are ideal, think of all the emotions that are involved in mastering a hard subject like algebra: curiosity, excitement, frustration, confusion, dread, delight, worry and, hopefully, perseverance and joy. You’ve got to have an educated emotional vocabulary to maneuver through all those stages.”
 
And this…
 
“And students have got to have a good relationship with teachers. Suzanne Dikker of New York University has shown that when classes are going well, the student brain activity synchronizes with the teacher’s brain activity. In good times and bad, good teachers and good students co-regulate each other.”
 
By the way, if you have prior training in EFFT and you’re interested in the application to schools, we’ve posted a new Emotion-Focused School Support online training February 20th. For more information or to register, click here. And if you work in schools and would like to pilot teaching emotion coaching to your students to use with each other, I've created a handout to support this. Imagine if in Grades 1 and 2, all children were taught to respond to their friends' stress and distress in this way? This may sound dramatic, but I really truly think they could lead massive change in our society's challenges with responding empathetically and productively to emotion.
 
And finally...

On the lighter side of life, Elizabeth Easton sent in this picture and this one of a mug that caregiver-clients made for her in the context of their EFFT work together. Talk about "getting it"! haha!

By donation clinician webinars for Nov/Dec
 
Interested in learning more about the 2-day EFFT caregiver workshop? Or want to move from didactic to experiential teaching of the 2-step model of emotion coaching with caregivers? Join us for the following offerings:
 
In my experience: Training and Delivery of the EFFT 2-day Caregiver Workshop
November 19th – 11am PST / 2pm EST
Facilitated by Chantal Bourke MA, RCC

The Importance of Experiential Practice when Working With Caregivers
December 11th – 10am PST / 1pm EST
Facilitated by Ashley Skinner, MSW, RSW
 
We are so grateful to the facilitator-volunteers for offering these webinars. 100% of donations will be used to support ongoing operating costs for these offerings as well as all free caregiver/individual/couple resources.
 
Upcoming couple resource
 
Check out this great article informed by Gottman’s work about the importance of transforming criticism into the expression of wishes and vulnerable needs.
 
“Pay attention to ways you can proactively be vulnerable with each other outside of heated conflict. For example, by saying, “Please slow down your driving so I can feel safe,” rather than, “You’re driving like a crazy person! Slow down!” you give your partner an understanding of why you’re feeling the way you are, rather than blaming them for what you’re feeling.”
 
The best part… Sheila Paluzzi will be hosting a FREE emotion-focused webinar for individuals, couples etc on this very topic in the months to come. More info – including when and how to register - in the next newsletter.
 
Last call for free information session!

Are you trained in EFFT, or interested in getting trained, or just wondering what the certification process is all about? Join IIEFFT Board Member Natasha Files on November 20th for an online, one-hour information session to learn more about the Institute, the certification process, and whether it's the right path for you. *Reminder - you do not need to be certified to practice the tools and techniques of EFFT*. Click here to register.

New training dates are set!
 
New online trainings are now available for 2020. You can also check out many of the new in-person dates scheduled for British Columbia, Ontario, Colorado, California, Texas, Virginia and London in the UK! I’d also invite you to consider attending the new “Advanced EFFT Training”.
 
I've included a few testimonials from our most recent Advanced EFFT training in Denver CO at the bottom of this email. You will see – you really don’t need to feel “Advanced” to attend :) !
 
Schedule of Upcoming Trainings - Core and Advanced

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (2-day)
Palo Alto, California; January 10 & 11, 2020​​
 
Identifying and Working Through Problematic Parenting Patterns in Treatment
Toronto, Ontario; January 23, 2020

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (2-day)
Langley, British Columbia; February 6 & 7, 2020

Advanced Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)
Langley, British Columbia; February 10-12, 2020
 
Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)
Richmond, Virginia; March 12, 13 & 14, 2020

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)
Houston, Texas; April 1, 2 & 3, 2020

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)
Denver, Colorado; April 22, 23 & 24, 2020
 
Advanced Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)
Toronto, Ontario; April 29, 30 & May 1, 2020

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)
London, UK; May 5, 6 & 7, 2020

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (2-day)
Stratford, Ontario; June 18 & 19, 2020

Advanced Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)
Denver, Ontario; September 21, 22 & 23, 2020
 
“This training really cleared up a lot of questions I had from the core training. It solidified by belief in EFFT and the power it can have. The amount of practice we got was great. I feel more confident than ever that I can implement these skills into my practice. It gave me the confidence boost I was looking for.”
 
“The core training taught me invaluable techniques but the advanced training allowed me to steep in the stance, both for the families I treat and my own personal growth. I feel more confident and ready to use this approach - chair work and all - with my clients and families.”
 
“This advanced EFFT training is a game changer! If you benefited from the core training, you will fall in love with this training—both professionally and personally! It’s primarily experiential with tons of demos to learn from, so you walk out ready to use in your clinical work. And, don’t worry if it’s been awhile since you’ve used EFFT—it doesn’t matter. It’s worth traveling far and wide for! It’s a “have to” experience and my clients have responded SO WELL to it!”

As always, thank you so much for the work you do to support individuals struggling and their families. Until next month!

Axo

 

October 2019 Edition

Happy October! Hope this email finds you well and for those celebrating Rosh HaShanah, Shanah tovah um’tukah. I hope you enjoy the latest news, updates and resources related to all things EFFT...

EFFT & Client Resistance to Caregiver Involvement

A hot topic! What can be done when we believe in the power of families but the person in treatment refuses to involve them in their life/treatment/inner world? Sometimes it can feel like our hands are tied... Well - along with colleagues Dr. Allen Sabey and Ashley Skinner, we've figured out a piece of the puzzle. When supported with an EFFT intervention targeting resistance to caregiver involvement as a symptom of broader avoidance, more than 80% of those suffering - who initially refused - agreed to involve their loved ones in some way. In one case, they accepted their parent's offer to move back into their home for symptom support! We are beyond thrilled about this. The intervention is taught in the context of the Advanced EFFT trainings but I will be speaking about this topic with Dr. Elizabeth Easton and Dr. Craig Johnson - at the upcoming ERC conference in Denver on October 11th. To learn more about the topic/talk/conference, click here.

By Donation Clinician Opportunities

Excited to share our new Fall line-up of "by donation" webinars for 2019-2020!  The donations received allow us to continue to offer new topics to the broader public in a bite-size way. They help us to cover the webinar platform and scheduling program as well as to create new caregiver resources at no-cost. Registration is now open.

The Application of EFFT in the Treatment of Eating Disorders across the Lifespan
October 24th – 9am PST / 12pm EST
Facilitated by Natasha Files MSW, RSW

In my experience: Training and Delivery of the EFFT 2-day Caregiver Workshop 
November 19th – 11am PST / 2pm EST
Facilitated by Chantal Bourke MA, RCC

The Importance of Experiential Practice when Working With Caregivers 
December 11th – 10am PST / 1pm EST
Facilitated by Ashley Skinner, MSW, RSW

Featured Training - California

I am so excited to be headed to Palo Alto CA for a 2-day training this January 10-11, 2019 co-hosted by the Healthy Teen Project and the Lotus Collaborative. Limited spaces available. Click here for more info and to register. Hope to see you there!

A few good links...​

Fear and anger: Read on for a bold proposition regarding the "primary" nature of anger... Very interesting read for others interested in the psychology of emotions from a Buddhist perspective, including this excerpt: "Notice how aversion and anger almost always arise as a direct reaction to a threatening or painful situation. If they are not seen clearly and understood they grow into hatred. As we have seen, pain and loss are undeniable parts of human life. Buddhist texts speak of a mountain of pain. They tell us our tears of grief could fill all four great oceans. When our experience is one of pain, hurt, loss, or frustration, our usual habit is to draw back in aversion or strike out in anger, to blame or run away."​

Into the demon’s mouth – working with fears: I have included a link to this article in a previous newsletter but it's one of my absolute favorite readings and I find that every time I read it, it deepens my understanding of the work we do to help others to heal and grow...It also clarifies for me what's next on my own personal journey...I sincerely hope you like it too.

Free Information Session

Are you trained in EFFT, or interested in getting trained, or just wondering what the certification process is all about? Join IIEFFT Board Member Natasha Files on November 20th for an online, one-hour information session to learn more about the Institute, the certification process, and whether it's the right path for you. *Reminder - you do not need to be certified to practice the tools and techniques of EFFT*. Click here to register.

Details...details...​

For those interested in the technical aspects of EFFT - 2 new announcements... The Relationship Repair module is officially renamed: Therapeutic Apologies. I'd been searching for years (not exaggerating) for the right term to describe the many interventions that make up this module and this finally feels right. The truth is - parent-child bonds can't be "broken", and thus the word repair just didn't sit well with me... The interventions have also greatly evolved over the years and now the therapeutic apologies are most often used to release child/caregiver self-blame and/or strengthen the power of supportive efforts (whether the relationship bond is strong or in need of some TLC). I'm relieved that the new title captures these important aspects of the work and reflects our growth in our own understanding of its potential.​

Next, there has been great discussion about the hyphen in Emotion-Focused Family Therapy... to keep it or not to keep it...Well, the American Psychological Association has weighed in on the debate and they state that using the hyphen is the way to go! So - hyphen it is! ​

Free Consultation

Are you a member of the Eating Disorder Association of Canada? If so, join Alison Bell and I for a free consultation hour quarterly (recognized by the IIEFFT). Simply respond to this email to be added to the list. Upcoming dates include:

Oct 8 - 2pm EST; Dec 10 - 2pm EST; Feb 4 - 2pm EST; April 7 - 2pm EST

Not a member? The annual fee is so reasonable - and worth it just in supervision opportunities alone, with access to several special interest groups led by some pretty great folks! Click here for more info on membership.

Reminder...the EFFT Clinician's manual!​

The EFFT Clinician's manual is finally available for pre-order on Amazon! Published by the American Psychological Association, and written to balance the theoretical AND the practical, Shari, Katherine and I are happy, relieved, excited, in disbelief that it's ready.​

The official reference is: Lafrance, A., Henderson, K. A., & Mayman, S. (2020) Emotion-Focused Family Therapy: A Transdiagnostic Model for Caregiver-Focused Interventions. American Psychological Association.​

Have a great month everyone! "See you" in November,

Adele

 

September 2019 Edition

Ok - can you believe it's September? It's weird for me to even write that! I hope you all found some time to rest and recharge this summer. We are in the middle of our yearly MHF retreat this week and once again we are focused on the development of FREE resources for caregivers and clinicians. I have no doubt that by next newsletter, I will have some new goodies to share!

The EFFT Clinician's Manual

The EFFT Clinician's manual is finally available for pre-order on Amazon! Published by the American Psychological Association, and written to balance the theoretical AND the practical, Shari, Katherine and I are happy, relieved, excited, in disbelief that it's ready.

The official reference is: Lafrance, A., Henderson, K. A., & Mayman, S. (2020) Emotion-Focused Family Therapy: A Transdiagnostic Model for Caregiver-Focused Interventions. American Psychological Association.

We hope you find it to be useful!



New research on EFFT

Thank you to the group in Norway for sharing this great pilot study below - and with both parent AND child outcomes too!

Wilhelmsen-Langeland, A., Aardal, H., Hjelmseth, V., Fyhn, K. H., & Stige, S. H. (2019). An Emotion Focused Family Therapy workshop for parents with children 6-12 years increased parental self-efficacy. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 1-13.

"In this pilot study, we examined whether a 2-day Emotion-Focused Family Therapy workshop strengthened parental self-efficacy, satisfaction and beliefs regarding their ability to help their children regulate emotions and reduce the children’s symptoms of behavioural- or psychological difficulties. Twenty-three caretakers with 17 children (9 boys) aged 6 to 12 years old completed the workshop. Pre, post and 3-month follow-up data on the Parents` Beliefs About Children's Emotions – Guidance scale and Parenting Sense of Competence scale, as well as pre and 3-month follow-up data on the Child Behaviour Checklist parent form, were used to assess the effects of the intervention. Parental self-efficacy significantly increased, the caretakers` satisfaction in the parenting role significantly increased but faded after 3 months and the caretakers` beliefs that children can guide their emotions on their own were significantly reduced. Finally, oppositional defiant problems in the children significantly declined."

The findings also suggest that a booster is needed and so those of you delivering the 2-day or working towards certification, this is something we've also observed in another qualitative research study (under review). As such, it's a good idea to plan a refresher between the 1 and 3 month-mark post-workshop. So exciting that data continues to point to its effectiveness in eating disorders and now in general mental health! In particular, it's great to see that an emotion-focused approach works for kids with oppositional behavior - this is intuitive but new in research! For a summary of other published research relating to EFFT, click here.



A few good links...

How exactly a deep breath changes your mind: A very enjoyable read including this quote: 
"Volitionally controlling our respirations, even merely focusing on one’s breathing, yields additional access and synchrony between brain areas. This understanding may lead to greater control, focus, calmness, and emotional control.

Can neuroscience help us to rewrite our most traumatic memories? This work is at the foundation of several EFT and EFFT interventions where we access old memories, work with their emotional "tags" so that the memories can be stored but without the extra baggage. So cool...

A Family Focused Intervention Influences Hippocampal-Prefrontal Connectivity Through Gains in Self-Regulation Ah-mazing. A fantastic study that shows that caregiver interventions that focus on resourcing parents with emotional support strategies (like emotion coaching!) lead to long-term brain change in their kids! 


 

Resources for caregivers

Pour les francophones! J'ai le plaisir de partager un feuillet pour cliniciens et parents qui décrit une structure pour la pratique du coaching émotionnel. Gros merci a Eric Burnet, Conseiller en santé mentale au Centre de santé communautaire de Hamilton pour son aide.


No-Cost Clinician Opportunities

Excited to share our Fall line-up of free webinars for 2019-2020!  Registration will be up and running next week and so for now - save the date!

The Application of EFFT in the Treatment of Eating Disorders across the Lifespan
October 24th – 9am PST / 12pm EST
Facilitated by Natasha Files MSW, RSW
 
The Importance of Experiential Practice when Working With Caregivers 
December 11th – 10am PST / 1pm EST
Facilitated by Ashley Skinner, MSW, RSW

Click here to register for either or both of these offerings (and check out our new and improved website! yay!).

 


Q & A

What's the difference between "Core" and "Advanced" trainings in EFFT?

Some people sometimes ask what is the difference between the Core and Advanced trainings in EFFT. Simply put – the curriculum. The core content includes an introduction to the 5 modules of the model, with skills practice of select interventions within each of the modules. Many people repeat the Core training to deepen their understanding and skill, including to capture the nuances that sometimes fly by the first time around.

Although the Advanced training includes a brief review of the modules and their primary interventions, the focus is on new interventions for the application of EFFT within families, with caregivers, and with individuals who do not want their caregivers involved or whose caregivers are unable to participate. The content from the Advanced is also a bit deeper in that we spend at least a day (of the 3-day version) focused on various interventions to transform deep resentment and self-blame (in both clients and caregivers). 

Clinicians can also participate in Core and Advanced trainings one after the other or with time in between. There are benefits to both approaches. For some, the Core training isn't enough to give them the confidence they need to go out and practice their new skills (too much material - not enough time). Therefore, taking the Core and Advanced trainings concurrently can provide them with a stronger foundation on which to build. Others prefer to practice what they learned in the Core to then build on their skills by attending the Advanced training 6 months to a year later. Find what fits for you! In my early training in FBT and then EFT, I found that "the more the better" in a short amount of time was what enabled me to get the big picture and start to transform my practice. For more information on upcoming trainings recognized by the IIEFFT, including new online offerings, click here. In particular, there are only a few weeks left to register for our early Fall online options:

Introduction to Emotion-Focused Family Therapy​
September 25, 2019 - 3 hours (starts 9amPST/12pmEST)
Facilitated by: Natasha Files, MSW, RSW


Teaching Emotion Coaching to Caregivers using Didactic & Experiential Techniques
October 17, 2019 - 3 hours (starts 9amPST/12pmEST)
Facilitated by: Adele Lafrance, C. Psych​
*this online training is a prerequisite for the November online training on Emotion-Focused School Support (unless you already have prior training in EFFT and in particular the 2-step model of Emotion Coaching)


Musings from my bookshelf...

I've read a few books this summer on death and dying, and in particular how to support those facing this transition. I particularly enjoyed: Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying. It occurred to me in a much deeper way that there is SUCH a need for emotion-focused family support for the dying. My goal this Fall is to volunteer in hospice and palliative care and develop some emotion-focused resources for families in the need in the near future. If you know of any relevant resources that already exist, please do share!

In terms of other recommendations, I've found a couple of titles to be particularly helpful in my own personal work, including : Gurdjieff, a Beginner's Guide--How Changing the Way We React to Misplacing Our Keys Can Transform Our Lives and: The Untethered Soul. What's next on my night table is the following: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed (thanks SN for the recommendation :) Can't wait!

One last thought to close... I leave you with one of my favorite quotes - a spiritual approach to human suffering and the "work" - and an excerpt that has certainly helped me in tough times. I hope it brings solace to you / your clients in times where it's hard to make sense of the pain of being human:

"Your conflicts, all the difficult things, the problematic situations in your life are not chance or haphazard. They are actually yours. They are specifically yours, designed specifically for you by a part of you that loves you more than anything else. The part of you that loves you more than anything else has created roadblocks to lead you to yourself. You are not going in the right direction unless there is something pricking you in the side, telling you, "Look here! This way!" That part of you loves you so much that it doesn't want you to lose the chance. It will go to extreme measures to wake you up, it will make you suffer greatly if you don't listen. What else can it do? That is its purpose." 

A. H. Almaas

Until next month,

Adele xo

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October 2019 Edition

Happy Summer! Hope everyone found some time to stop and smell those roses!  Lots of news and new resources relating to EFFT this month:

Contest time! 

Dr. Ashley Miller and I need your input! Our EFFT-inspired book for parentswill be hitting the bookshelves early 2020 via publisher Taylor & Francis! We are looking for a fun title that catches the eye while also capturing the essence of the book. The book is primarily organized into scenario chapters such as " You love my sister more"; "I don't want to!"; and "I hate my life!" and it guides parents through a practical framework (road-map) where they are prompted to think from their child's perspective as well as offering validation and emotional/practical support. We provide concrete examples all the way through - including sample scripts - and encourage parents to tailor the content to their unique situation. We would love to hear your suggestions for a title AND subtitle!. All entries will be included in a draw for a signed book and a gift certificate for Amazon. Deadline for submissions: August 15th Please send your ideas to drashleypmiller@gmail.com Thanks in advance!

A few good links...

1. A couple of folks have brought this new book to my attention (thanks Shari and Margo!): The Apology by Eve Ensler of The Vagina Monologues (warning - difficult content for some) "The book is an account of an imagined apology from her father for the abuse and trauma she endured as a child. During an interview with the CBC (link provided by Shari Mayman), she speaks about her craving for this apology and her need to have it so badly that she wrote it herself". In various emotion-focused modalities, including EFFT and C-CARE, there are opportunities to facilitate this process and we've certainly witnessed its incredible healing power. To get a snapshot, check out this therapist handout from the Advanced EFFT training, although please know that its use requires training and depending on the issue, modifications may be required.

2. Thanks to Kristen Mennona, I am happy to share with you this excellent Gottman poster on Emotion Coaching that is highly aligned with the work we do and a potential resource for parents, caregivers and school staff. Think how great it would look next to this in your office :) #itsallaboutthetrees 

3. Thanks to Ali Alsaad for sharing with me this fascinating article! I can't tell you how excited I am by the results, especially for our clients whose families have suffered tragedies. I truly believe we can help them see their parents in a different (more positive) light without dismissing old pain AND in a way that increases their capacity to retrieve memories of LOVE. Love it! #itsallaboutlove #healingispossible

No-Cost Clinician Resources
 
1. As you know, we are in the midst of a paradigm shift where rather than focusing on a single individual in need of treatment, we also empower those around them to offer specialized support. So proud that EFFT is one such model. Check out this video for caregivers / the general public that underscores why we value their involvement so very much and feel free to use in your clinical practice (many have been using at intake with positive results). The best part – it’s only 20 minutes and it can be used more broadly – not just with EFFT.
 
2. At the request of newer members of the EFFT community, I’ve put together a tool to help conceptualize ways the model can be structured within the work you do with caregivers. It is by no means the only way but can help to serve as a guide and offers a bird’s eye view of the model in action. It is still in draft form but hopefully helpful!

Resources for caregivers

We welcomed over a hundred new members since the last edition and so a reminder to new and existing newsletter recipients about the free and always available caregiver resources, including:

1.  this link for access to the online caregiving video series based on the 2-day EFFT caregiver workshop; 

 

2.  this link for a caregiver webinar to learn about the Healing Power of Anger 

3. this link for videos that provide helping scripts when supporting a loved one with an eating disorder (like literal scripts of what to say when...)

More coming soon after our Fall MHF retreat in early September!

New Online Trainings

We are pleased to offer another series of ONLINE training options. With one exception, no prior exposure or training to EFFT is required. That said, the trainings do build on each other and all are recognized by the IIEFFT for those working towards certification.

Introduction to Emotion-Focused Family Therapy​
September 25, 2019 - 3 hours (starts 9amPST/12pmEST)
Facilitated by: Natasha Files, MSW, RSW

Teaching Emotion Coaching to Caregivers using Didactic & Experiential Techniques
October 17, 2019 - 3 hours (starts 9amPST/12pmEST)
Facilitated by: Adele Lafrance, C. Psych​

*NEW THIS FALL* Emotion-Focused School Support
Prerequisite: prior training in EFFT or participation in the online training titled: Teaching Emotion Coaching to Caregivers (above). *Participants will receive a sample presentation for their use*
November 22, 2019 - 3 hours (starts 12pmPST/3pmEST)
Facilitated by: Adele Lafrance, C. Psych​

Identifying and Working Through Problematic Parenting Patterns​
​December 4, 2019 - 3 hours (starts 9amPST/12pmEST)
Facilitated by: Natasha Files, MSW, RSW​​

Click here for training details / to register for any of the above offerings.


In-person Trainings - Fall

A number of in-person offerings open to the public are coming this Fall. Our featured trainings are in Kelowna, BC this September! The first is a half-day training open to front-line staff, clinicians and educators on Emotion-Focused Support for Healthcare and School Settings (AM session + PM sessions available), as well as a 3-day core training on EFFT. Hope to see you there!

Other trainings:

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (2-day) *wait-list only*
Austin, TX - September 26 & 27, 2019; Adele Lafrance
 
Advanced Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)
Denver, CO - October 21-23, 2019; Adele Lafrance
 
Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)
Ottawa, ON - October 23 - 25, 2019; Shari Mayman and Katherine Henderson
 
Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)
Toronto, ON - October 23 - 25, 2019; Mirisse Foroughe

Advanced Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (2-day)
Vernon, BC - November, 5 & 6, 2019; Natasha Files

For more information on these and other offerings later in the year, click here.

Q & A

Q: Do I need to be certified to practice EFFT?
 
A: While I truly believe in the benefits related to the process of certification, I also feel strongly that you do not need to be certified to practice as an EFFT clinician or therapist. Certification delineates a process to promote a certain level of competence through a minimum standard for training and focused supervision, and that’s a great thing – but it’s not feasible for everyone for reasons of time, resources, etc. I've also had the opportunity to work with many clinicians who were not certified and who were excellent. In other words - there are many pros to the process but it's not necessary. In fact - to all those with training - we encourage you to try out the tools and techniques you've acquired - even if imperfect. As a society, in the context of mental health, we have a long way to go in terms of offering caregivers the support they need and deserve, including skill building. Going out and practising what you've learned is a way to be an active part of the solution.

Donate to Research

I am excited to share that early in 2020, I will be leading an international study exploring the use of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorder sponsored by MAPS. I am even more excited to share that when designing the study, I included a caregiver component within the study - the first of its kind! That means that a caregiver for each of the participants will be recruited to offer specialized support to their loved one in order to increase the chances of a positive outcome. Although unconventional (when has that ever stopped us ;), if you've seen the results of this new therapy modality in the news relating to severe PTSD, there is so much reason for optimism. In fact, based on this data, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has been granted "breakthrough status" by the FDA. If you or anyone you know might be interested in donating to support this ED research program, please do share this link. Charitable donation tax receipts are available for tax residents of Canada and the USA. 

Self-Care

One last thought to close... Because so many of us dedicate our lives to helping others who are struggling, it can be hard to remember to focus our attention and our kindness inward. This August, consider taking a day all for yourself - reset, recharge, reenergize! If you're feeling really ambitious about self-care (that may be an oxymoron ;), check out this great handout that I use personally and when working with clients. Off to the cottage!

Sincerely,

Adele

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June 2019 Edition

 

It is the month of June, The month of leaves and roses, When pleasant sights salute the eyes and pleasant scents the noses. Nathaniel Parker Willis

 

Happy Monday! I am pleased to share with you this month's EFFT Newsletter. So many exciting developments, including new resources and training dates for Fall/Winter (including online options!)

Resources:

 

Are you interested in a refresher for parent block chair-work? Check out this previously recorded webinar facilitated by Dr. Allen Sabey and I. You can also access the latest chair-work script here.

 

Here's a great read on the value of discipline over punishment. Enjoy!

 

As you may know, I am committed to help caregivers to reduce self-blame. Here is a very interesting article on self-blame in parents/caregivers of children struggling with mental health issues. Here is another article exploring the perceived function of self-blame in parents of infants with perinatal complications. So many parallels and may explain in part why self-blame can be so sticky.

 

Finally, check out this brand new video developed by the EFT/EFFT team in Norway! About self-criticism and its antidotes (assertive anger and self-compassion)… Love their work and a great resource for clients.

 

Low-cost and no-cost web-based training opportunities: 

 

a. ONLINE CLINICIAN TRAINING opportunities are finally here! By popular demand, we will be offering 3-hour live trainings on various EFFT-related topics. Fall offerings include:

 

Emotion Coaching for Caregivers

November 8, 2018 - 3 hours (starts 9amPST/12pmEST)

Facilitated by: Natasha Files, MSW, RSW

 

Identifying and Working Through Problematic Parenting Patterns

November 9, 2018 - 3 hours (starts 9amPST/12pmEST)

Facilitated by: Dr. Adele Lafrance, C.Psych

 

They will meet criteria for certification requirements (coming June 18!) and will include a Q & A period. Join to learn about the model for the first time or for a refresher.

 

I will also be offering an advanced training on parent block chair-work. Please note: there is a 6-person limit to enrolment to allow for depth of learning and individualized review of participant video. Prior EFFT training required.

 

Parent Block Chair-Work – Video Supervision & Training

September 28, 2018 - 3 hours (starts 9amPST/12pmEST)

Facilitated by: Dr. Adele Lafrance, C.Psych

 

Click here for more information and to register for these offerings (scroll down).

 

b. Are you a member of the Eating Disorder Association of Canada? If so – you can access a free EFFT consultation lead by Dr. Adele Lafrance and Alison Bell on June 25 12pmEST. Simply respond to this email to register. If you're not a member, consider registering for these and other benefits.

 

c. Last call to register to attend the final EFFT-related webinars from the series  "In my Experience..." June offerings include:

 

June 6th at 9amPST / 12pmEST *new date*

EFFT and Dr. Gordon Neufeld's Attachment-Based Developmental Approach

Presenter: Jennifer Pearson MA, RP

Host: Natasha Files, MSW, RSW

 

Date: June 19th at 9amPST / 12pmEST

Adapting EFFT for Foster and Adoptive Families

Presenter: Lois Ells MSW, RSW

Host: Natasha Files MSW, RSW

 

And don't forget the last MHF webinar of the season hosted by our very own Sheila Paluzzi. An opportunity to build self-care into your day!

 

Emotion-Focused Care for Clinicians

June 22, 2018 9PST/12PST

 

Click here to register for these events.

Upcoming Trainings:

Our training schedule for Fall and Winter is shaping up! See below for new dates for Fall 2018 and Winter 2019 (public listings only). New material is being introduced at each level and no prior family therapy experience is required.

 

Canada

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)

Sault Ste Marie, ON

October 1-3, 2018

Click here for details

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)

Calgary, AB

October 10-12, 2018

Click here for details

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (2-day)

Stratford, On

November 5 & 6, 2018

Click here for details

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (2-day)

Greater Vancouver Area (Langley), BC

February 18 & 19, 2019

Click here for details

 

Advanced Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)

Greater Vancouver Area (Langley), BC

February 20 - 22, 2019

Click here for details

 

United States

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy for Eating Disorders (1.5 hours)

*this session is open to caregivers and clinicians*

Richmond, VA

September 7, 2018

Click here for details

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy for Eating Disorders (1-day)

Richmond, VA

September 8, 2018

Click here for details

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)

Denver, CO

Fall, 2018

Details coming soon

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)

Austin, TX

Fall, 2018

Details coming soon

 

Increasing Caregiver Involvement and Decreasing Problematic

Behaviors in Treatment: Lessons Learned from EFFT (1-day)

Louisville, Kentucky

November 15, 2018

Click here for details (AAMFT Conference Institute 109)

 

Hope to see you there!

 

Featured EFFT Therapist

 

This month's featured psychotherapist is Lindi Lazarus, MSW, RSW from Toronto, ON, Canada. Lindi has extensive training and supervision in EFFT. She applies the model to help improve the mental health trajectory of children/adolescents and families. She co-facilitates caregiver workshops as well as offering private services in-person and via secure video. For more info on Lindi's offerings, click here.

 

That’s all for this month! Hope everyone is well!

 

Sincerely,

 

Adele

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May 2019 Edition

Hello everyone! Hope this email finds you well wherever you are in the world, and that Spring has sprung. We had a busy training month and so I'd also like to welcome all of the new EFFTers out there!

 

Resources for clinicians

 

1. Our end-of-season EFFT webinar is coming up in a couple of weeks! Join Allison and Natasha for an interesting presentation about the ways in which EFFT and ACT can complement one another. Allison is a seasoned clinician who will share with us the fruit of her explorations.

Integrating EFFT within Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

May, 23 2019 - 9am-10amPST/12pm-1pmEST

Presenter: Allison Walford, MA, LPC

Hosted by Natasha Files, MSW, RSW

Click here to register

On this page, you will also find training videos available to view at no-cost or for a small rental fee. Feel free to use with groups in the context of supervision or mini-trainings.

 

2. We have another new worksheet to support caregivers to internalize the skill of emotion coaching! It's very similar to last month's offering but briefer & more focused (and I think you'll love the third one :). It also comes with a cheat-sheet to guide your/their efforts. 

 

3. Check out this awesome idea from Beth Ayn Stansfield from Stay Strong Virginia - a non-profit ED resource for individuals, caregivers and professionals...She created a cut-out of the famous "tree", and to normalize the experience of blocks, she invites caregivers in a group to identify which emotions sometimes fuel their potentially problematic patterns of caregiving in the context of ED-support. A great idea and here's a pic for inspiration and a write-up of the activity.

 

Resources for individuals, including caregivers

 

1. Don't forget to inform your clients of Sheila's next *FREE* webinar on "Joy Interrupted" coming up May 22nd 4-5 PST/ 7-8 EST. This is one of my new favourite topics - so much to reflect on! This webinar is likely to be of benefit the general population in addition to those who are dealing with distress. Click here to register.

 

2. Did you miss her offering on "Beautiful Boundaries"? The feedback was really positive and thanks to Mrs Paluzzi's incredible dedication to the cause - it's already up on the website for viewing! And for free of course :) Target audience - anyone!

 

3. EFFTer and parent advocate Sue Huff will be leading a free workshop through NEDIC on Friday May 10, 2019 from 2:45 pm EST to 4:00 pm EST. It is titled “Relearning Communication: Emotion Focused Approach” and it is inspired by her own experiences as a mom. The workshop is open to all affected by an ED. Click here for more information and to register.

 

A few good links...

 

1. Stress - it's not in your head! It's in your nervous system! I've been learning more about somatic therapies and working towards integrating this wisdom within EFFT in a way that is more intentional. Here is a great article that is simple, yet powerful.

 

2. Warning - heavy material ahead... I am often asked about family work in the context of abuse, including sexual abuse. Although I really believe it can be possible, and incredibly healing for all involved, it must be navigated with great care when it is appropriate to do so. Here is a resource that I found that has been really helpful to me and I hope it is of benefit to you as well.

Featured trainings:

 

1. Our first featured training is in the UK at the end of June with Jennifer Danby - founding Board member of the International Institute and EFFT expert. Holiday in London! 

 

2. Our next featured training is being delivered this October by EFFT/APA book co-authors Drs. Shari Mayman and Katherine Henderson in Ottawa, Ontario. Don't miss this opportunity in the nation's capital. Another great place to visit (and learn :). Click here for more details and to register.

 

REMINDER - 2-day caregiver workshop facilitation...

 

In response to growing interest, the IIEFFT will be certifying clinicians in the delivery of the 2-day EFFT caregiver workshop. As a first step, there will be a grand-parenting process to recognize those who've already been through a process of training, supervision and delivery. If you feel you meet this criteria, please complete this form to be submitted to Jennifer Danby at: efft_uk@icloud.com. Certification as an IIEFFT therapist or clinician is not required - this is a stand-alone certification. Those certified will be listed in a directory on the IIEFFT webpage and will have access to other member benefits. Proposed criteria moving forward can be found here.

 

That's all for this month! Next newsletter will come out in August - I am going to take a small break in June and July to recharge from a busy season. If you have any news, ideas or resources to share for the next instalment, don't hesitate to get in touch!

 

Sincerely,

 

Adele

------------------------------------------------

April 2019 Edition

Hello everyone! Hope this email finds you well wherever you are in the world. See below for new EFFT-related resources and opportunities, including important information re: certification to deliver the 2-day EFFT caregiver workshop.

Resources for clinicians, caregivers and individual/couple offerings:

 

1. THE BOOK IS COMING! Katherine, Shari and I are working on the FINAL revisions for the EFFT Clinician's Manual for the APA. Estimated publication date is November 2019! We will be celebrating its release to be sure - who knew writing a book was so much work! We are excited to share the fruits of our labor!

 

2. Our next live EFFT webinar is coming up in a couple of weeks! Join Ashley and Sheila for this awesome offering where you will be introduced to one of the latest EFFT interventions to support adolescent and adult clients to move through resistance to caregiver involvement.

April 17, 2019 - 9am-10amPST/12pm-1pmEST

Presenter: Ashley Skinner, MSW, RSW

Hosted by Sheila Paluzzi, MSW, RSW

Click here to register

On this page, you will also find training videos available to view at no-cost or for a small rental fee. Feel free to use with groups in the context of supervision or mini-trainings.

 

3. Don't forget to inform your clients of Sheila's FREE webinar on "Beautiful Boundaries" coming up April 25th 4-5 PST/ 7-8 EST. Click here to register.

 

4. We have a new worksheet! Check out this simple clinician resource to support caregivers to co-create emotion coaching scripts for their loved one. It also comes with a cheat-sheet to guide your efforts. We've been using it in trainings and in the 2-day EFFT caregiver workshop and we're loving it! Hope it's helpful to you and feel free to adapt it for increased relevance.

 

A couple of good links…

 

1. Here is a link to a great read/accompanying video on mindfulness and emotions. But check out the title (It's Ok Not To Be In The Moment) - it's not your everyday messaging. I particularly liked this quote: "Our emotions tend to move far more slowly than life does". Whoa! No wonder we sometimes experiences lags in our feelings. Makes so much sense that our emotional states don't always "make sense" in the moment!

 

2. Speaking of boundaries... This worksheet is for parents who want to teach their children about boundaries. It explains the importance of setting boundaries for children, then gives tips on how to teach them about boundaries. Thank you Edutopia!

 

Featured trainings:

 

1. Last call for DENVER April 25-26-27! So grateful to be able to lead this 3-day training in my new hometown and with sponsorship from ERC. That means CE credits, and some yummy food. Or join us in the UK at the end of June! Looking forward to crossing the pond to co-facilitate with Jennifer Danby!

 

2. Our 2020 dates for BC Core and Advanced are set and open for registration (February). These dates sell out every year. Register early to secure your spot (note: they are designed to follow one another for those interested in attending both). 

 

3. Don't miss out! In just a few days, Natasha Files will be facilitating the LAST 3-hour online training of this season titled: "Working Through Problematic Parenting Patterns" (April 5th). This training is meant to stand-alone which means no EFFT exposure is required and the material is meant to be integrative to support other treatment models. Click here for more information.

Access to supervision:

1. New dates are confirmed for the EFFT video-supervision with me for April (3 spots) May (1 spot) and June (2 spots). Sessions are 1.5 hours. Drop in or stay for the duration of the session. Join us as an active or passive participant. All levels welcome. Register here.

 

2. You may also consider joining the peer-supervision network. To do so, you can access the shared file below and enter your information following the same format. Then, you can feel free to connect with any others to connect by video to share, learn and practice your new skills. 

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tysG9CKbziZQKGorTI_e4QCEe10jLJgU-XJh-dIDvy0/edit?usp=sharing

2-day caregiver workshop facilitation...

 

In response to growing interest, the IIEFFT will be certifying clinicians in the delivery of the 2-day EFFT caregiver workshop. As a first step, there will be a grand-parenting process to recognize those who've already been through a process of training, supervision and delivery. If you feel you meet this criteria, please complete this form to be submitted to Jennifer Danby at: efft_uk@icloud.com. Certification as an IIEFFT therapist or clinician is not required - this is a stand-alone certification. Those certified will be listed in a directory on the IIEFFT webpage and will have access to other member benefits. Proposed criteria moving forward can be found here.

On that note...Featured Caregiver Workshops:

 

Ontario! You have options - and great ones too! EFFTers Ashley Skinner and Jennifer Scarborough will be running a 2-day near Kitchener June 7th and 8th and EFFTers Marlene Traficante and Cheryl Fernandes will be running a 2-day in Hamilton on June 17th and 18th

 

 

Huge thanks for all that you do for families in need and "see you" next month!

 

Sincerely,

 

Adele

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March 2019 Edition 

Hello everyone! Hope this email finds you well wherever you are in the world. It was an incredibly busy but rewarding couple of months with the introduction of EFFT to over a thousand caregivers and clinicians! It is so so wonderful to see clinicians opening up their practice to support caregivers, and to see caregivers opening up incredible healing pathways.

 

Resources for clinicians, caregivers and individual/couple offerings:

 

1. We are excited to announce that whether you are new to EFFT, or interested in a refresher or booster, we have new training videos available to view at no-cost or for a small rental fee. One of the offerings includes a new caregiver block chair-work intervention that I am particularly excited about! Click here for access (scroll down) - and feel free to use with groups in the context of supervision or mini-trainings.

 

2. Our next live EFFT webinar is coming up in a few days! Join Allen and Sheila for this awesome offering:

 

EFFT Clinician Block Chair-Work

March 8, 2019 – 9am-10amPST/12pm-1pmEST

Presenter: Dr. Allen Sabey, LMFT

Hosted by Sheila Paluzzi, MSW, RSW

 

Click here to register (by donation – any amount for broad access).

 

3. Thanks again to our beautiful colleague Sheila Paluzzi – we are pleased to offer emotion-focused webinars relating to boundaries and joy. Most recently, and following our focus on the healing power of anger and assertion, caregivers have been curious to learn more about “how” to support their kids in this way. Whether an adolescent, adult or caregiver, we hope these offerings will be helpful! 

 

Beautiful Boundaries: April 25th 4-5 PST/ 7-8 EST

 

Setting "beautiful boundaries" is a key skill in the maintenance of relationships that are healthy and loving. Many people struggle with boundaries for a variety of reasons. In this webinar we will explore some of the blocks to boundaries and review experiential exercises to support their development.  

 

Joy Interrupted: May 22nd 4-5 PST/ 7-8 EST

 

Do you sometime struggle to fully experience joy? Referred to as "joy-blocks" the most common culprits include feelings of grief, fear and shame. Although many of us long to feel more joyful, it can be a difficult process. Join Sheila Paluzzi as she explains why some of these blocks exist, and leads you through strategies to increase your capacity to connect with joy in an authentic manner.

 

Click here to register for either or both of these NO-COST offerings!

 

4. I also want to remind everyone that many of the EFFT caregiver materials are now available in Spanish thanks to Drs Eva Trujillo and Griselda Galvan. Please check out this Dropbox for access.

 

A few good links…

 

1. Help the moms in your practice to balance their support of their child with self-care with this article! I also include into therapy some of these self-compassion meditations (audio files) from Kristin Neff’s website to help settle the nervous system, ground and orient. I suggest that caregivers listen to one of them weekly as self-care homework (with or without their loved one). Thanks Kristin for being so generous with your work!

 

2. A short but very compelling article about the pain of child-parent estrangement. The authors note:

 

“When asked what did provide comfort to someone who was estranged from a close family member, people said “having someone listen” to them, “being seen as normal,” having someone telling them that they were “an okay person,” and hearing that others had similar experiences all eased the pains. But the strong underlying message is that the complexity of parents and their adult children deserves greater prominence.”

 

I strongly believe that the Relationship Repair module of EFFT can do more than offer support and normalization of the pain. It can help to reconnect estranged parents more often than not, and I have had the honor or facilitating and witnessing pretty miraculous reconnections just in the last couple of months. Let’s help heal families from estrangement!

 

Access to supervision:

 

1. Three spots remain for the March 13th EFFT video-group supervision. March 26th is full. Session is 1.5 hours. Drop in or stay for the duration of the session. Join us as an active or passive participant. All levels welcome. Register here.

 

2. You may also consider joining the peer-supervision network. To do so, you can access the shared file below and enter your information following the same format. Then, you can feel free to connect with any others to connect by video to practice your new skills. 

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tysG9CKbziZQKGorTI_e4QCEe10jLJgU-XJh-dIDvy0/edit?usp=sharing

 

Featured trainings:

 

1. New 1-day in Toronto coming up March 19th! Perfect intro to the model and meets criteria for certification with the International Institute for EFFT. For those interested, the Advanced training in Toronto follows just a few weeks later.

 

2. Join us in London, UK for a 3-day training this June.  I have the pleasure of co-facilitating with Jennifer Danby, and family therapy specialist who worked for years at the Maudsley. This training will review core content as well as the new caregiver self-blame intervention.  We will also review a new intervention to work through serious co-parenting issues. For more information on this opportunity and others, click here.

 

3. There is still time to register for the online trainings coming up on Teaching Emotion Coaching to Caregivers (led by me on March 12th) and Working Through Problematic Parenting Patterns (led by Natasha Files on April 5th). These trainings are meant to stand-alone which means no EFFT exposure is required and the material is meant to be integrative to support other treatment models. Same link as above.

 

Featured clinician:

 

Kelly Coulter is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Daring Way Facilitator in Austin, TX with Austin Therapy for Girls.  She uses EFFT individually and in small group settings and is passionate about empowering families with the tools they need to heal and thrive. Recently, she was interviewed by Megan Gipson of The Family Brain Podcast where she talks about how she integrates EFFT into her work with families.  Listen to her podcast episode (Connected Families) here: https://familybrainpodcast.com. For more information or to contact Kelly, click here: www.austintherapyforgirls.com or join us for the Austin EFFT training!

 

That's all for this month friends and colleagues! Sending love from Asheville North Caroline where I am learning MDMA-assisted psychotherapy to support adult individuals with ED - with the integration of caregivers and EFFT of course! Stay tuned for more info as it all unfolds!

 

Sincerely,

 

Adele

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Feburary 2019 Edition 

Happy February! Very happy to welcome over 200 new EFFTers this month from Chile, Mexico, the US and Canada! 

 

And...thanks so much to Dr Griselda Galvan and Dr Eva Trujillo, we now have Spanish translations of SO many of the EFFT training and practical resources. Access to some of the caregiver resources can be found here in this shared drive. Like the other tools, it is best if they are shared in the context of a session or group for context/support. Hope they are helpful to you and your Spanish-speaking clients!

 

Caregiver/Couples Resources:

 

1. I will be offering a public 2-day EFFT caregiver workshop Feb 28/March 1 in Denver, CO. Should you know of a caregiver or couple who could benefit from this intensive intervention to support their child of any age, please share this link for more information and/or to register

 

2. The couples series is growing! Click here to access the 2-part series for Couples inspired by Greenberg and Johnson EFT models. The feedback has been great so far - thank you all for sharing - and we hope it can continue to be helpful to couples who for whatever reason aren't able to seek in-person or formal services.

 

3. Excited to share resources from Hand in Hand Parenting (thanks to Ying Yu!). H & H is very aligned with EFFT principles, in particular its emphasis on supporting caregivers. They have a very robust international Facebook and WhatsApp groups for parents where they can offload their pain any time of day or night - with the support of coaches and other parents - for free, so they can be more effective parents! It’s a great resource for parents of infants through teenage years.

 

 

4. Do you work with eating disorders? Here is a fantastic monthly newsletter for caregivers that is EFFT-driven with a focus on self-care. Click top left for access to past issues or to subscribe.

 

Clinician Resources:

 

1. Join us for this month's EFFT webinar on supporting caregivers to initiate relationship repair, share the burden of their child's pain and relieve their self-blame.

 

Delivered by EFFT expert Jennifer Danby from London, UK

February 27, 2019 - 9am-10amPST/12pm-1pmEST

 

Click here for more information or to register for this webinar or others offered in the months to come.

 

2. Little gem here for you! Anger can be a very healthy emotion and for more information from Les Greenberg about this emotion and others, click here. Awesome article to conceptualize the work.

 

3. Here is a really important article that shows that early caregiver interventions can actually change their child's brain! Very exciting, very hopeful and a useful resource to garner support from your organizations to implement caregiver-interventions for prevention and clinical response to the needs of their children. 

 

EFFT Training Opportunities:

 

This month's feature training is happening through the SickKids Center for Community Mental Health in Toronto, Ontario on March 18-19, 2019. Very excited to be back "home" and just in time for the Advanced EFFT training in Toronto in early April.

 

For more information on these and other online and in-person trainings happening in Canada and the USA, click here. Online and core trainings are open to individuals new to EFFT or interested in a refresher and they meet criteria towards certification with the International Institute for EFFT.

 

EFFT Supervision:

 

Interested in EFFT supervision? I am offering online group supervisions open to clinicians of all levels of exposure to the model. Click here to register for February options.

 

If you would prefer 1:1 supervision (in-person or by video), a number of EFFT supervisors are accepting new clients including: Ashley Skinner; Katherine Henderson; Laura Connors (Sept 2019); Lindi Lazarus and Shari Mayman. Contact information for these and other EFFT supervisors can be found here.

 

Featured EFFT Clinician:

Jen Scarborough MSW RSW is an advanced EFFT clinician in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Jen works with parents who have a child with a mental health concern. Additionally, she works with children, adolescents, and adults who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder, anxiety, depression, and/or general self-esteem concerns. 

 

Have a great month! Sincerely,

 

Adele

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January 2018 Edition

Happy New Year everyone! I hope everyone had a lovely holiday. Excited to share the first EFFT newsletter for 2019! 

 

Caregiving/Couple Resources:

 

1. Big news everyone! We have fully updated the parenting video series! The old videos have been replaced with a series of new and improved videos that match the caregiver workshop more closely. Again - thanks to the MHF team - and Natasha in particular - for preparing and recording many hours of new content. Please share widely with your clients and feel free to use them to deepen your own familiarity and flexibility with the model.  The previous version will remain available on the same webpage.

 

2. During our annual retreat, we also recognized that there was a need for couples resource to complement the parenting offerings. And so here we grow! 

 

Couples Resource Part 1: A huge thank you to Sheila Paluzzi (MSW, RSW) for preparing this fantastic video resource for couples titled: Where is the disconnect? Please feel free to share with your clients - it's the equivalent of an intro session and a perfect resource for those anxious about taking the deep dive into this work. It's also a great complement to co-parenting work and available 24/7 from the comfort of home.

 

Couples Resource Part 2: Please also inform your clients of the anonymous follow-up session "Increasing Connection" that will be held live on Wednesday, January 9th, 3:0pm PST / 6:00pm EST. In this webinar Sheila will discuss strategies to deepen feelings of love and connection in adult partnerships. Participants will also learn ways to effectively communicate and maintain connection, even in the midst of arguments or conflict. *same link as above*

 

3. Click here for a great read for parents/caregivers and a list of 12 strategies (some of which are emotion-focused) to help kids manage emotions.

 

Clinician Resources:

 

1. New EFFT webinar series now open for registration! We are absolutely delighted to be offering a new series of by-donation clinician webinars on various EFFT-related topics. Check out our amazing line-up for Winter/Spring 2019!

EFFT for Somatic Symptoms
January 30, 2019 - 9am-10amPST/12pm-1pmEST

Relationship Repair, Sharing the Burden and Relieving Self-Blame
February 27, 2019 - 9am-10amPST/12pm-1pmEST

EFFT Clinician Block Chair-Work
March 8, 2019 - 9am-10amPST/12pm-1pmEST

Chair-work to Process Client Resistance to Caregiver Involvement
April 17, 2019 - 9am-10amPST/12pm-1pmEST

Integrating EFFT within Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
May, 2019 - 9am-10amPST/12pm-1pmEST

 

2. I will be offering group consultation on all things EFFT in January and February. Limited spaces available (via secure Zoom) and all levels are welcome. Participation in these groups can be active or passive and video review is welcome. Stay for the entire session or drop-in. Click here for more information or to register. 

 

3. Have you some training in EFFT but still feel a little clunky or unsure? Watch this awesome video by EFFTer Kristin Edstrom who talks about "moving from skill to stance". Relevant for clinicians of course but also for caregivers! #wereinthistogether

 

4. Free information session January 24th! Are you trained in EFFT, or interested in getting trained, and wondering what the certification buzz is all about? Join IIEFFT Board Member Natasha Files for an online, one-hour information session to learn more about the Institute, the certification process, and whether it's the right path for you. *Reminder - you do not need to be certified to practice the tools and techniques of EFFT*

 

ED-specific Resources:

 

Do you have clients in the GTA? EFFTer Lindi Lazarus will be leading a fantastic group session next month:

 

Introduction To EFFT for parents and caregivers of loved ones with an eating disorder

This psychoeducational and skill building workshop will introduce caregivers to the principles and practices of Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). EFFT supports caregivers to become active agents in their child’s healing. Learn to support your child’s emotions, improve your relationship and set appropriate boundaries – at any age! 

 

When: Tuesday February 5th, 2019 from 9:30am -12:00 pm 

Where: Sheena’s Place (87 Spadina Road, Toronto, ON M5R 2T1)  

Facilitator: Lindi Lazarus, MSW, RSW

Register here: https://sheenasplace.org/register/

 

ED+EFFT Supervision - 4x a year:

 

Join me and other EFFT trainers for ED-specific EFFT supervision through The Eating Disorder Association of Canada. Next one is February 26 at 2pmEST - open to EDAC members. Non-members can attend the first supervision for free and membership is less than the cost of a regular hour of supervision (so great value). As a member you will have access to these supervisions and other benefits throughout the year, including access to many other SIG group meetings on FBT, ED Nutrition, and EDs in Private Practice. To join me next month, simply use this link to connect via video: https://zoom.us/j/211742853

 

Thanks all and have a great week!

 

Adele

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December 2018 Edition

The word 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. - Carl Jung

 

Ok – seriously – how is it already December?! It has been an incredibly busy month with over 200 new EFFTers trained in Canada and the USA. Welcome! We are excited to have you join our growing community. Next month – Chile y Mexico. There is still time to register for these completely bilingual training events. Venga amigos!

 

Caregiver Resources:

 

Happy Holidays! We are excited to share with you another FREE caregiver resource! Thanks to Natasha Files -  parents and caregivers now have 24/7 access to a new EFFT video introducing information and skills to respond to their loved one’s anger in a way that is compassionate and productive. Please share this resource widely with those who you feel might benefit from this awesome resource!

 

I would also like to remind you to check out this new video titled: “Why We Want You!" which outlines the many rationales for increased caregiver involvement in  the  treatment of mental health issues across the lifespan -  plus a review of the most common caregiver concerns related to such involvement. We’ve already heard from some of you that you’ve been using it as a pre-session primer and we couldn’t be happier about that! The best part - it’s only 20 minutes long :)

 

Thanks also to Beth Ayn Stansfield for sharing this awesome website which includes strategies and scripts to support friends and family to start potentially uncomfortable yet empathetic conversations with their loved one. Seize the awkward! As you can tell it’s a resource that combines humor and support – my favorite kind!

 

I feel like every other month I am sharing a resource for Aha! Parenting. I just love their work so much.  Here is a fantastic article written for parents re: alternatives to discipline. Go Laura (again)! P.S. If anyone knows her personally – would you tell her I’m one of her biggest fans! :D

 

Clinician Resources:

 

The MHF team has been busy editing videos to increase the offerings available to those clinicians interested in learning more about EFFT or benefiting from a refresher. Click here for a dozen or so videos for your use, with more to come (the only thing we ask for is a donation :). Thanks to the facilitators and as always, feel free to organize peer supervision around them and/or share with your colleagues who you think might also benefit from these resources.

 

Triggers… Triggers can be so sneaky in that they can really feel “external”, rather than connected to an internal system of vulnerability. Here is a resource developed by the Gottmans to help clients move from : “You made me feel…” to “I felt…”. I’ve decided that I’m going to keep it on hand to support clients to practice pivoting from an other-orientation to a more internal one. Hope you like it!

 

Free information session! Are you trained in EFFT, or interested in getting trained, and wondering what the certification buzz is all about? Join IIEFFT Board Member Natasha FIles for an online, one-hour information session to learn more about the Institute, the certification process, and whether it's the right path for you.

 

ED-practitioners:

 

Have you heard of Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani’s new book? I had the privilege of writing a review for its release and it is *so good*.  I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s a must-have for anyone affected by ED and it fits nicely within EFFT.

 

You may also want to check out Dr. Timothy Brewerton’s new article on trauma-informed care and practice for eating disorders. A very worthwhile read. Click here for the abstract and if you are interested in the full-text you can request access via his ResearchGate profile here.

 

Finally - there is still time to register for our free EFFT clinician webinar this month! Last one for 2018 and it will be a great one! 

Integrating EFFT into outpatient eating disorder programs across the lifespan: A journey of successes and challenges

Tuesday December 11th 9am PST / 12pm EST:

Presenter: Elspeth Humphreys, MSW, RSW

Hosted by Natasha Files, MSW, RSW

Click here to register

New Online Trainings

 

We are so excited to report that the first series of online EFFT trainings were a success and so we’ve scheduled 2 more series for the New Year and registration is now open. These trainings were developed for individuals new to EFFT as well as those EFFTers interested in a review of the concepts, tools and techniques and/or updates. Once again, the offerings include:

 

“Teaching Emotion Coaching to Caregivers”

(the new and improved 2-step model)

and

“Identifying and Working Through Problematic Patterns of Parenting”

 

These trainings also meet criteria for certification and recertification and can be found here. A great alternative for those who can't afford to travel or the extended time off work.

 

Featured Advanced in-person trainings

 

Advanced trainings in EFFT in Langley, BC, Toronto, ON and Denver, CO!

 

Do you have 2 days of in-person EFFT training? If so – join us to take your learning to the next level.  Among other content, you will learn a new therapeutic technique to transform client resistance to caregiver involvement as well as new applications of the relationship repair intervention. Don’t worry if you feel rusty or like you lack preparation – one of the other benefits of this advanced training is consolidating what you’ve learned in your earlier training. 

 

EFFT Career / Education Opportunity

 

Interested in immersing yourself in EFFT as a post-doc, in your supervised practice or as a career? Contact Dr. Mirisse Foroughe to learn more about opportunities in Toronto, Ontario.

 

Food for Thought

 

Did you know that loneliness is an incredibly strong health risk? More so than smoking 15 cigarettes a day! This touching new article describes the need to "treat" it as a serious condition.  The holidays are just around the corner and this is a time of increased vulnerability for those who feel disconnected from the world – for whatever reason. As an act of social advocacy – I encourage you to reach out to someone who you think could benefit from a chat over tea or a FaceTime date. If everyone who reads this newsletter commits to doing so – we could make a huge difference!

 

Featured EFFT Clinician

 

I am just so delighted to feature Dr. Amanda Stillar this month! From a former student – to a collaborator on most of the EFFT research -  and now a full-fledged psychologist with a private practice of her own in Edmonton Alberta. Amanda is a total star with a heart of gold. Here's more info on her practice:

 

Dr. Amanda Stillar treats a number of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and trauma. Dr. Stillar is an advanced EFFT therapist, supervisor, and trainer. She offers individual and group supervision and training to mental health professionals in Alberta. For more information visit her website - www.stillarpsychological.com

 

Finally….thank YOU all for the incredible work that you do on behalf of our most vulnerable. I wish you all the happiest of holidays and we shall reconnect in the New Year!

 

Sincerely,

 

Adele

--------------------------

November 2018 Edition

It is only when compassion is present that people allow themselves to see the truth." A.H. Almaas

 

I am happy to share that last month, Sheila Paluzzi, Natasha Files and I got together for our annual MHF retreat and this year's focus was to prepare and create new caregiver and clinician resources related to EFFT. It was invigorating (and fun!) and it reminded each of us why we love to do the work we do. We hope that you and your clients benefit from the offerings we will disseminate in the coming months. We developed new resources for caregivers, couples and clinicians, as well as new training tools.

 

That said, a review of our personal expenses related to our efforts to offer no-cost resources to clients and caregivers also revealed that our operations are not financially sustainable. So - if you feel called to support our efforts via a donation, every little bit counts. We thank you in advance!

 

NEW Caregiver Resources!

 

1. Our first resource to be shared was developed for caregivers, and you may find it useful in your clinical practice. It is a 20-minute video that provides an overview of EFFT and the rationale for caregiver involvement, including common reservations and concerns caregivers may have. We hope it will serve as a primer for caregivers unsure of the appropriateness of their engagement or who worry about "making things worse" by taking an active role in their loved one's healing.

 

2. Our second resource is a 1 hour+ video for caregivers supporting a loved one with an eating disorder. It goes through emotion coaching for meal support/symptom interruption, plus a bit on blocks too. Thanks to EDFNL for helping to make it happen!

 

As always, please share these videos widely if you feel they are in alignment with your work and keep an eye out for more goodies next month...

 

FREE workshop: Emotion-Focused School Support

 

Join me for a workshop on Emotion-Focused School Support November 7th from 5pm-830pm in Waterloo, Ontario. This workshop is open to parents, caregivers and educators from Waterloo Region and is free of charge. Register via email to: judy.aitcheson@wcdsb.ca

 

Webinar for Couples

Learn about the negative cycles of interaction that exist in our relationships that lead to feelings of disconnection. This webinar content is influenced by Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples (both Greenberg and Johnson models). Wednesday November 14th @ 9amPST / 12pmEST by Sheila Paluzzi MSW, RSW - FREE.

Self-Love

 

Self-love is such an important ingredient for wellness. More than ever, I try to couple delving into the pain with the cultivation of self-compassion. This poem is a fantastic reminder of what it all means AND what it looks like. A great resource for all clients. Kristin Neff also shares her incredible self-compassion meditations (freely) here. I've integrated them within sessions or as optional homework in-between sessions. 

 

Clinician Resources

 

a. While Katherine, Shari and were book-writing, we also took time to carefully review and update some of the tools used in EFFT. This month you will find the updated Caregiver Traps Scale (for general mental health) as well as the Clinician Traps Scale. Among other uses, the Caregiver Traps Scale can be completed by caregivers at assessment and throughout treatment to identify possible treatment road-blocks (and to brainstorm solutions), while the Clinician Traps Scale can be used for general or case-specific supervision. The validation study we conducted on the Caregiver Traps Scale for Eating Disorders is under review for publication and so I hope to share that before long as well!

 

b. Clinician burn-out is a real thing. Having suffered a few times myself, I can attest to the impact that it can have on our personal and professional lives. This article does a great job of discussing the different variables that correlate with burn-out in health professionals. 

 

"The first of these characteristics, “activation,” is the extent to which a person is motivated by his or her work and feels it is meaningful. The second, “decompression,” is the degree to which one can withdraw, recharge and enjoy life outside of work." 

 

1. Finding meaning...so important... From Viktor Frankl's book to the latest research on finding meaning in life: "People who have a sense of meaning in life, also report feeling more happy, more satisfied with their lives, less depressed and anxious, and more satisfied with their jobs." 

 

What can you do to make your work more meaningful? Set a goal! Maybe it's to volunteer your time to a cause or focus a portion of your clinical work on serving under-resources populations. Find something that fits for you and go for it. 

 

2. With respect to decompression, in my opinion, the ability to disconnect from work is intimately related to emotion processing in that when things are hard, if you talk about it in a way that is productive, the emotions associated with the events will run their course. To view a webinar on Emotion-Focused Healthcare that Dr. Ashley Miller and I recently recorded, click here. You may also be interested in this newly uploaded video on Emotion-Focused Self-Care, which includes strategies and experiential activities to support you and your colleagues to avoid or manage burn-out. I would suggest organizing a peer-supervision around it to actively build in this needed focus within your practice.

 

EFFT Research

 

October was a great month for sharing new research and ideas in the context of EFFT for eating disorders. A number of us EFFTers presented at the Eating Disorder Association of Canada's Annual Conference.

 

Drs. Gina Dimitropoulos, Renee Rienecke and I presented on Emotion-Focused Family-Based Treatment for AN (FBT+E) for families struggling with early weight gain;

 

Patricia Nash, Cathy Skinner and I presented on long-term outcomes of the 2-day caregiver workshop (6 months and 3 years later); and

 

Drs. Shari Mayman and Katherine Henderson presented on C-Care - a model based on EFFT for the comprehensive treatment of eating disorders and substance misuse. In fact, they will be sharing their model in the context of a webinar tomorrow! For more information or to register, click here.

 

Here is a great article comparing Attachment-Based Family Therapy (many similarities!) and individual EFT (one of our sister therapies). The authors explored whether imaginal or real interactions between child and parent had differential effects on outcomes. To summarize – EFT created more emotional processing, ABFT led to greater decreases in attachment avoidance – but otherwise, results were similar with respect to decreasing anger, attachment anxiety, and psychological symptoms. Really cool study (thanks Allen for sharing), especially if you are an EFFT therapist without access to a caregiver... You can take on their role or bring them into session imaginally with an empty chair :)

 

If you are interested in learning more about EFFT research, or you are involved or hope to be involved in EFFT research in the future, connect with Dr. Allen Sabey to join the Special Interest Group.

 

Trainings - EFFT

 

ONLINE: We have THREE online trainings coming up later this month and both meet criteria toward certification. The 1st training (Nov 8) will teach you to teach caregivers the skill of emotion coaching using the simplified two-step model, including common traps. The 2nd (Nov 9) will review the EFFT conceptualization of problematic patterns of parenting and offer tools and techniques to promote change, including the review of a therapeutic activity to manage challenging or conflictual co-parenting dynamics. The 3rd (Nov 26) involves an opportunity to obtain in-depth training (and video-supervision if desired) on the use of the caregiver block chair-work intervention.

 

IN-PERSON: I'm also excited to feature two upcoming trainings in Santiago, Chile and Monterrey, Mexico! Both will take place in January 2019 which make them a perfect opportunity for an educational getaway :) The trainings will be offered in English with moment-to-moment Spanish translation (in-ear) if needed. 

 

Click here for more information or to register for any of these (and other) offerings available in the coming months..

 

International Institute for EFFT

 

2nd call! We are seeking 5-7 more volunteers to join the Associate Board of the IIEFFT! Meetings are four times a year although you don't need to attend each one. Your role will be to advise the IIEFFT Board and provide feedback on initiative, policies, procedures, etc. Meetings are scheduled for Nov 7, Jan 25, April 17, and July 19 at 8am PT / 11am ET. If interested, please write to Dr. Allen Sabey. Your input will be extremely valued as we evolve and grow.

 

We're also creating an updated peer supervision network. If you are interested in joining the peer supervision directory to connect with like-minded others to discuss cases or practice skills (in-person or via video), please email: connect@efftinternational.org with the following information in the format below:

 

Name:

Discipline: (Psychology; Social Work; Nursing; Dietetics, etc) 

City, Country:

Time Zone:

Particular area of interest: (examples: eating disorders; child protection; addictions; general mental health; 2-day caregiver workshop; adult mental health, etc)

Email:

 

If you are working towards certification, this is also an excellent way to meet the Clinician Block Chair-work criteria.

 

Hope you are well and wishing you all a great week!

 

Sincerely,

 

Adele

--------------------------------------------------

October 2018 Edition

It’s not what happened, it’s what happens now... And that's a good thing for survivors of intergenerational trauma.

 

Happy Tuesday! Here is the October EFFT Newsletter. 

 

Clinician and Caregiver Resources:

 

a. Here is a link for a wonderful video on the Repair of Early Trauma, narrated by a child, and using a bottom-up approach. A wonderful resource by Beacon House in the UK.

 

b. Anyone who works with parents and caregivers needs to read this!  Thanks to Ashley Skinner MSW, RSM, I now want to buy Superhero capes for all of our caregiver-clients!

 

c. Fraser Health Eating Disorder Program in BC has received grant monies for the creation of a monthly EFFT newsletter. The first edition was just released and it was AWESOME. Click here to sign up for the next instalments! 11 more to come :)

 

d. At a recent training in Virginia (Stay Strong!), a participant asked me to conceptualize the Stages of Change (Prochaska & DiClemente) from an EFFT lens. It was a great question and one that really made me think. So - on the flight back - Dr. Elizabeth Easton and I came up with the following based on the research on fear/shame and low self-efficacy with emotion processing. We think it can be a great resource to better understand low motivation in clients and caregivers (even clinicians hesitant to try out new approaches :). 

 

"I resist treatment because I am terrified and I can't manage that feeling. Please help me to regulate my fear so that I can approach that which will be healing."

 

International Institute for EFFT:

 

a. We are seeking volunteers to join the Associate Board of the IIEFFT! We are hoping to recruit up to 20 members to attend meetings four times a year to advise the IIEFFT Board and provide feedback on initiative, policies, procedures, etc. Meetings are scheduled for Nov 7, Jan 25, April 17, and July 19 at 8am PT / 11am ET. If interested, please write to Dr. Allen Sabey. We are seeking representation from different provinces/states/countries where EFFT is practiced. Associate Board members need not attend every meeting but your input will be extremely valued as we evolve and grow.

 

b. We're also creating an updated peer supervision network. If you are interested in joining the peer supervision directory to connect with like-minded others in your area or via video-meetings, please email: connect@efftinternational.org with the following information in the format below:

 

Name:

Discipline: (Psychology; Social Work; Nursing; Dietetics, etc) 

City, Country:

Time Zone:

Particular area of interest: (examples: eating disorders; child protection; addictions; general mental health; 2-day caregiver workshop; adult mental health, etc)

Email:

 

Once populated, we will share the Directory so that folks can mix and match to practice tools/techniques together or simply to engage in case discussion and consultation with others who share the same or similar framework. If you are working towards certification, this is also an excellent way to meet the Clinician Block Chair-work criteria.

 

Upcoming Trainings:

 

a. This month’s featured EFFT clinician training is taking place early November in Stratford, Ontario, hosted by Mission Empowerment! Click here for more details and to register! New material is included for those with prior experience.

 

b. Can't make Stratford? Join one of our in-person core or advanced training in Canada, the USA, Chile and Mexico. No prior family therapy experience is required. Click here for more information on upcoming offerings.

 

c. Unable to travel? Join a video-based (live) clinician training on parent block chair-work. We just finished our first one and it was great! Other offerings will present a structured framework to teach emotion coaching to caregivers and another will focus identifying and processing problematic patterns of caregiving, including co-parenting blame. Same link as above.

 

Each of these training options (including video) meet criteria towards certification with IIEFFT.

 

Free web-based training opportunities:

 

a. As you may be aware, MHF is offering a series of free/by donation EFFT consultation webinars to improve access to clinician training and consultation opportunities. Our next offering is titled: "EFFT – Moving from Skill to Stance" and it highlights the journey from learning the mechanics of EFFT to embodying its principles from both the caregiver and clinician's perspectives.

Tuesday October 23rd 9am PST / 12pm EST

Presenter: Kristin Edstrom, MA, RCC

Hosted by Dr. Adele Lafrance, C.Psych

We’ve heard that some teams have organized peer supervision and professional development sessions around them and encourage others to do the same. Click here to register for this / other upcoming webinars and stay tuned for more offerings in the New Year.

 

b. I also challenge you to forward these opportunities to colleagues who work in remote or hard-to-serve areas in the event they can be useful to them. We also invite you to pass along the caregiver videos - most of which can be found here.

 

c. I was recently interviewed by podcaster Tabitha Farrar - eating disorder advocate extraordinaire. Feel free to listen to our conversation about caregiver and clinician blocks. 

 

Research:

 

a. Are you interested in joining the EFFT Research Special Interest Group? Anyone interested in research, planning to engage in research or already involved in research related to EFFT are invited to join by contacting Dr. Allen Sabey at: asabey@family-institute.org 

 

Reminders:

 

a. Fall can be a tough time for our most vulnerable. Don't forget about our upcoming caregiver webinar on the Healing Power of Anger. Anger is often the guardian of fear, shame and self-blame and if we can equip parents and caregivers with effective strategies we can create a buffer for children/teens in pain. We have over 100 participants (yay!) and spots for about 20 more. The webinar runs next week.

 

b. We also have an instructional video available 'round the clock for caregivers supporting a loved one with an eating disorder. This free ED resource provides caregivers with education and skills to respond to common scenarios like: “I won't eat that”, “I don't want help” & "I feel fat" in a way that is loving and productive. Please help to spread the word to help connect those who need the extra support. 

 

c. Do you know of a colleague who may be interested in this newsletter? Feel fee to provide this link for sign-up: http://www.mentalhealthfoundations.ca/clinician-sign-up-form

 

A final thought for a little laugh found/shared by Dr. Laura Connors:

Emotions are like vomit. You can only hold it in for so long before it all just comes out ... and by that time it’s pretty messy. :D

 

Have a great week!

 

Adele

-------------------------------------------------

September 2018 Edition

“September smiled at her wonderful friends in all their colors and bright eyes and gentle ways." - Catherynne M. Valente

 

How lucky I feel to be in Colorado for fall foliage! Hope you are well and that you are transitioning easily into this new season. Here are some updates, resources and opportunities in case they are helpful to you / your practice!

 

Research:

 

a. A new EFFT article is out! Brief Emotion Focused Family Therapy: An Intervention for Parents of Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Issues.

 

Thanks to Dr. Mirisse Foroughe for her leadership on this project. A study of this size involves so much work and so much dedication. It also requires the support of many volunteers. Thanks to the team at Kindercare and every one of the co-authors for bringing this study to press. 

 

Abstract: This study evaluated the 2-day intensive modality of Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). The intervention attempts to prepare parents to take a primary role in their child's recovery from a range of mental health issues. One hundred and twenty-four parents completed the intervention and provided data a week prior to intervention, post-intervention and at 4-month follow-up. Results include significantly reduced parent blocks and increased parental self-efficacy in relation to involvement in their child's recovery, as well as significant improvement in child symptomatology. The findings confirm positive results from an earlier pilot study involving eating disorders and demonstrate the potential for EFFT as an intervention for a range of clinical problems in children and youth.

 

b. You might also enjoy this juicy research article titled : Anger can help: Clinical Representation of Three Pathways of Anger. I am just so obsessed with the healing power of anger. Did you know that the bodily felt sense of anger is opposite from those associated with anxiety, shame and depressed mood? If you can support the rising up of healthy, vulnerable anger using EFFT techniques (and teach caregivers to do the same), it can transform these maladaptive emotional states. Remember that “neurons that fire together, wire together” and so we can use emotions to transform other emotions. #myfavouritetopic

 

Resources:

 

a. A must-read... Throughout the development of EFFT, I've focused almost exclusively on the "negative" emotions. And so I decided to start to research the cultivation of joy and other "broadening" emotions. This article is simple and yet the message is so important: Celebrate everything! Today - along with my co-authors Katherine and Shari - I celebrate having submitted the first official draft of the EFFT Clinician's Manual to the APA. What. A. Relief. (but also excited to share the finished product)

 

"These moments of celebration make us pause and be mindful, and that boosts our well-being. According to social psychology researcher Fred Bryant and others, when we stop to savor the good stuff, we buffer ourselves against the bad and build resilience—and even mini-celebrations can plump up the positive emotions which make it easier to manage the daily challenges that cause major stress.

 

b. And because I'm obsessed with transforming our relationship and comfort with anger, here is another amazing resource from Aha! Parenting: Ten Tips to Help Your Child with Anger. If you are interested in more, don't forget to register for the FREE caregiver webinar we will be hosting on Oct 5th titled: Harness the Healing Power of Your Loved One's Anger.

 

c. Remember last month when I gave a shout out to fellow EFTer Sarah Thompson and her beautifully-written blog on emotions? Well thanks to you, I saw that I forgot to include the actual link. Mea culpa! Here it is for real this time!  Her blog is a great primer for clients to learn about themselves and their emotional style. There are entries that touch upon super-feeling and emotion coaching too.

 

Supervision and Training:

 

a. Our featured trainings are in Kamloops, BC this October with Natasha Files (sponsored by the BC Association for Social Workers) and with me in Austin TX in early November (hosted by Austin Therapy for Girls). Join us!

 

b. Join us for one of our live trainings by video:

Emotion Coaching for Caregivers

November 8, 2018 - 3 hours (starts 9amPST/12pmEST)

Facilitated by: Natasha Files, MSW, RSW

 

Identifying and Working Through Problematic Parenting Patterns

November 9, 2018 - 3 hours (starts 9amPST/12pmEST)

Facilitated by: Dr. Adele Lafrance, C.Psych

 

$99 CAD + GST

Zoom Technology (HIPAA compliant)

Click here and scroll done for more information and to register.

 

c. By donation - Clinician Webinar: Our October offering features Kristin Edstrom who will share her experiences (and her clients!) moving from skill to stance with respect to EFFT interventions. 

 

EFFT – Moving from Skill to Stance

Tuesday October 23rd 9am PST / 12pm EST

Presenter: Kristin Edstrom, MA, RCC

Hosted by Dr. Adele Lafrance, C.Psych

 

Click here to register for this by-donation training webinar or others.

 

d. Are you interested in learning about the facilitation of group therapy? If so, I strongly recommend this training through the Toronto Institute of Group Studies. It will be high quality there is no doubt. Click here for details.

 

That's all for this month! Hope this newsletter is helpful to you and feel free to send along any feedback or recommendations. Those clinicians wishing to sign up to receive this newsletter, can do so here. All the best,

 

Adele

-------------------------------------------------

August 2018 Edition

August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time.―Sylvia Plath

Dear Adele,

 

I  hope this email finds you well (or that you are on holiday :). Here are some updates, resources and opportunities in case they are helpful to you / your practice!

 

Resources:

a. Fellow EFTer Sarah Thompson writes an awesome blog on various topics related to emotion in the every-day and in the context of trauma. Not only is she a skilled writer, she is a great person too! Her blog is a great primer for clients to learn about themselves and their emotional style. There are entries that touch upon super-feeling and emotion coaching too.

 

b. Different lines of research show that trauma can impact generations. This study adds to that body of knowledge.

 

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/parents-who-had-severe-trauma-stresses-in-childhood-more-likely-to-have-kids-with-behavioral-health-problems

 

There is no sense in blaming parents for their child's issues. It's like blaming them for having been exposed to trauma. Thankfully, we can support parents and kids to end the cycle and remind them that resilience also travels across generations.

 

c. Not really a resource - but a must-read! Go Brazil! Amazing initiative to transform poverty through love. So touching.

 

Parent Block Chair-Work Group Supervision:

Be brave! Learn from others and benefit from individualized feedback too. Following this group supervision, your confidence in supporting parents and caregivers with this powerful technique will no doubt increase. Each participant will have the opportunity to share a segment of video using this technique via secure and encrypted screen sharing technology (no transmission of data is required). And remember - because this is supervision/training, your video does not have to be "good" :). Take the leap and join us! Facilitated by: Dr. Adele Lafrance, C.Psych

 

September 28, 2018 - 3 hours (starts 9amPST/12pmEST) - WAIT-LIST ONLY

November 26, 2018 - 3 hours (starts 9amPST/12pmEST) - Open for registration today

(scroll down for online trainings)

 

Featured EFFT Trainings:

 

a. Our first featured training is in Calgary, Alberta this Fall. Join Natasha Files and Keri Sullivan for this 3-day event October 10-12, 2018! Click here for more information or to register.

 

b. Alison Bell will also be offering a 1-day EFFT training for school counsellors in Surrey, BC later this month. Click here for more information. 

 

c. Save the Date for a learning holiday! I will be leading 3-day trainings in Santiago, Chile January 10-12 (contact for Dr. Carolina Lopez for more information) and in Monterrey, Mexico January 16-18, 2019  (contact Dr. Eva Trujillo for more information). Both trainings are hosted by members of the Hispanic/Latino chapter of the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED). The training content will relate to EFFT and general mental health and will apply to a variety of presenting problems, including eating disorders. The AED HLA are also leading the translation of Spanish materials which will be available by then (muchas gracias!). Stay tuned for details!

 

c. Notice of Erratum (or oops! I made a mistake! :) In the last newsletter, our Fall Denver, CO training was featured. In the description, I highlighted that thanks to our sponsor, lunch and dinner would be provided. Rather, breakfast and lunch will be provided, although there will be a group dinner for those interested in connecting over an informal meal. For more info, click here.

 

d. Additional in-person training opportunities throughout North America are listed here. If you struggle to access in-person training, online trainings recognized by the IIEFFT are also available (scroll down to the bottom). 

 

Advocacy For Caregivers - Eating Disorders

 

The national online Caregivers Needs Assessment Survey is a joint effort initiated by NIED, the Eating Disorders Association of Canada (EDAC), the Eating Disorders Foundation of Canada (EDFC) and the National Eating Disorders Information Centre (NEDIC).

 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NIED2018 

 

The survey was designed to provide greater insight into the social and economic impact of caring for a person affected by an Eating Disorder. Please share widely among your contacts to support this initiative. These organizations are fierce advocates for caregivers - your efforts will be worthwhile!

 

New Offerings for Clinicians - By Donation

 

As announced in the last newsletter, we are excited to announce a new series of EFFT clinician webinars for the Fall led by experienced practitioners. The first in the series is:

EFFT for Gifted Super-Feelers

Tuesday September 18th 9am PST / 12pm EST

Presenter: Alison Bell, MA, RCC

Hosted by Natasha Files, MSW, RSW

 

No prior training or experience with EFFT is required. Click here for more information for these and other by-donation webinars.

EFFT Research

 

On behalf of the International Institute for EFFT, Dr. Allen Sabey has generously offered to lead the EFFT Research Special Interest Group for interested clinicians and researchers. You do not have to be involved in active research to join. The objective of the SIG is to share ideas, resources, materials, etc among those conducting or interested in supporting EFFT research. If you would like to join the group, simply email Allen at asabey@family-institute.org to be included. Meetings will occur quarterly and Zoom recordings will be made available to SIG members.

 

Featured EFFT Therapist:

 

This month's featured EFFT Advanced Therapist is Patricia Nash. Patricia is a counselor and Program Facilitator with the Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. Patricia and colleagues have co-facilitated 40 EFFT caregiver workshops to over 400 carers, and counting. She is also actively involved in researching short-term outcomes of the model. Patricia and her colleagues at the Foundation are quite literally changing the way caregivers of adolescent and adults with ED are supported. She is nothing short of an inspiration. To learn more about the Foundation, click here.

 

That's all folks! Hope this newsletter is helpful to you and feel free to send along any feedback or recommendations. Those clinicians wishing to sign up to receive this newsletter, can do so here. All the best,

 

Adele

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July 2018 Edition

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it. 

Russel Baker

 

Hope everyone is well! Here is the July EFFT Newsletter.

 

Seeking your input! Have you attended both a training in EFFT facilitated by Dr. Adele Lafrance AND a training in Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (a la Sue Johnson) in the past 2 years? We are working with our colleagues from the Emotionally Focused Family Therapy world to write a paper to 1. show our support for one another's work, models, etc as well as  2. describe the similarities and differences in our approaches.  We would love your help with this important project! Simply respond to this email if you can!

 

Also - the EFFT clinician manual is almost done! Our final draft is due to the APA at the end of August and fingers crossed for a Fall publication. Thanks to our volunteers Tamara Davidson, Sarah Penney and Jiabao Gao for their help in this last leg of the project! Invaluable...

 

NEW no-cost EFFT consultation webinars for clinicians and caregivers:

 

a. We are excited to announce a new series of EFFT clinician webinars for the Fall led by experienced practitioners. Registration is by donation (any amount!) and no prior training or experience with EFFT is required. Click here for more information and to register.

EFFT for Gifted Super-Feelers

Tuesday September 18th 9am PST / 12pm EST

Presenter: Alison Bell, MA, RCC

Hosted by Natasha Files, MSW, RSW

 

EFFT – Moving from Skill to Stance

Tuesday October 23rd 9am PST / 12pm EST

Presenter: Kristin Edstrom, MA, RCC

Hosted by Dr. Adele Lafrance, C.Psych

 

EFFT for Concurrent Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorders

Friday November 2nd 9am PST / 12pm EST 

Presenters: Dr. Katherine Henderson, C.Psych &  Dr. Shari Mayman C.Psych

Hosted by Sheila Paluzzi, MSW, RSW

 

Integrating EFFT into Outpatient ED Programs Across the Lifespan:
A Journey of Successes and Challenges

Tuesday December 11th 9am PST / 12pm EST:

Presenter: Elspeth Humphreys, MSW, RSW

Hosted by Natasha Files, MSW, RSW

Unfortunately, recordings will not be emailed after the fact and so please plan to attend these live events! 

 

b. I would also like to thank the many volunteers who led the amazing EFFT-inspired webinars this past year. In total, we welcomed over 1000 registrants from around the globe. Thank you for the time you spent preparing the material and navigating the technology to make it happen! 

 

c. After having recorded the clinician webinar on the Healing Power of Anger last Fall, I received several requests for an adaptation for caregivers. Good news! Natasha Files has volunteered to offer a live caregiver webinar entitled: "Harnessing the Healing Power of Your Loved One's Anger" on October 5th at 9am PST / 12pm EST. Please spread the word by sharing this link within your network: 

 

http://www.mentalhealthfoundations.ca/caregiver-webinar-anger

 

This webinar will provide caregivers with a new framework and specific skills to respond to anger in a connecting way in order to harness its healing power. Strategies will also be shared for those whose loved one's anger is easily accessible (read: overflowing) or beneath the surface (read: not sure if it's even there!). A live Q&A will allow for some personalized content as well. Registration for this webinar is FREE.

 

Resources:

 

a. Another great primer for clients (and for us too!) can be found here. This Youtube video is entitled: "You aren't at the mercy of your emotions -- your brain creates them". Thanks Dr. Allen Sabey for the recommendation. 

 

b. "Be like Larry". Colleague Larry Dahmer from Sudbury, Ontario sent this pic. I always recommend clinicians keep a copy on hand (or taped on their office wall) to introduce the concept of caregiver blocks (even as they emerge in session) in a way that is compassionate and non-blaming. Here's the original again just in case :)

 

Featured EFFT Trainings:

 

a. This month's featured training is in Denver, Colorado this Fall. Thanks to our sponsor, registration includes CE credits AND lunch and dinner each day. Located in Cherry Creek - there is also great access to shops and museums. Join us for this 3-day event October 24-26, 2018! Click here for more information or to register.

 

b. ED-clinicians! You may also be interested in a FREE training workshop in Richmond, Virginia on EFFT. Participants will learn a framework & acquire tools and techniques to increase positive caregiver involvement in treatment across the lifespan.  

 

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stay-strong-va-presents-a-clinical-workshop-with-dr-adele-lafrance-tickets-46638226190?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

 

c. Additional in-person training opportunities throughout North America are listed here. If you struggle to access in-person training, online trainings recognized by the IIEFFT are also available (scroll down to the bottom). 

 

Featured EFFT Therapist:

 

This month's featured EFFT Therapist is Kristin Edstrom. Kristin is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in Kelowna, BC. Kristin shares that both her personal and professional lives have been transformed through the implementation of EFFT:

 

"What I love about EFFT is how many people are impacted by and benefit from the approach. I had parents of a teen contact me as they wanted me to see their daughter for her "issues around anxiety". When I mentioned to them that I actually wanted to see them, they reluctantly agreed to come in for some support. When I met with them they told me they had a large family, and so in the end, instead of one child benefiting from a one hour counselling session with me, the whole family (including grandchildren!) are benefiting from these two parents being equipped with the tools that we as clinicians can so easily teach them to support the people they love most."

 

In addition to using EFFT in her private practice work, Kristin has been certified to lead EFFT caregiver workshops. You can learn more about Kristin at edstromcounselling.ca

 

The International Institute for EFFT has launched:

 

a. As you may be aware, we officially launched the IIEFFT! If you are interested in certifying as an EFFT clinician (for non-therapists), therapist or advanced therapist, click here for more information. Please note, you do not need to be certified to practice EFFT. I always encourage training participants to go out and try the tools and techniques, even integrate them into their preferred modality, and this remains my stance :). That said, I believe the standards allow for a structured pathway toward increased confidence and competence. Sincere thanks to the volunteer Board members who made this happen.

 

b. For those interested in EFFT referral sources, the IIEFFT website also includes a Directory of certified practitioners, many of whom offer video-services to caregivers using a secure and encrypted platform. This list is provided as a public service and includes the names and contact information of those who choose to participate in this certification process. We hope the Directory will be helpful to you!

 

c. Finally, if you believe you already meet certification requirements / equivalents based on previous training and supervision, email the Institute at connect@efftinternational.org with details for consideration for auto-certification. This grandparenting process closes July 23rd, 2018.

 

Job Opportunity for an EFFT Psychologist

 

From Dr. Jillian Haydicky in British Columbia, Canada:

 

Want to work in a flexible, supportive and EFFT-friendly environment? The Wishing Star: Lapointe Developmental Clinic might be the perfect fit. We are seeking a Registered Psychologist to join our thriving multi-disciplinary team environment on a full-or part-time basis. We are looking for a clinician who is comfortable using an integrative, developmentally-informed and family-centred approach with children, adolescents and parents. For more information or to apply, visit http://www.drvanessalapointe.com/careers/

 

That's all folks! Hope this newsletter is helpful to you and feel free to send along any feedback or recommendations. Those clinicians wishing to sign up to receive this newsletter, can do so here. All the best,

 

Adele

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June 2018 Edition

It is the month of June, The month of leaves and roses, When pleasant sights salute the eyes and pleasant scents the noses. Nathaniel Parker Willis

 

Happy Monday! I am pleased to share with you this month's EFFT Newsletter. So many exciting developments, including new resources and training dates for Fall/Winter (including online options!)

 

Resources:

 

Are you interested in a refresher for parent block chair-work? Check out this previously recorded webinar facilitated by Dr. Allen Sabey and I. You can also access the latest chair-work script here.

 

Here's a great read on the value of discipline over punishment. Enjoy!

 

As you may know, I am committed to help caregivers to reduce self-blame. Here is a very interesting article on self-blame in parents/caregivers of children struggling with mental health issues. Here is another article exploring the perceived function of self-blame in parents of infants with perinatal complications. So many parallels and may explain in part why self-blame can be so sticky.

 

Finally, check out this brand new video developed by the EFT/EFFT team in Norway! About self-criticism and its antidotes (assertive anger and self-compassion)… Love their work and a great resource for clients.

 

Low-cost and no-cost web-based training opportunities: 

 

a. ONLINE CLINICIAN TRAINING opportunities are finally here! By popular demand, we will be offering 3-hour live trainings on various EFFT-related topics. Fall offerings include:

 

Emotion Coaching for Caregivers

November 8, 2018 - 3 hours (starts 9amPST/12pmEST)

Facilitated by: Natasha Files, MSW, RSW

 

Identifying and Working Through Problematic Parenting Patterns

November 9, 2018 - 3 hours (starts 9amPST/12pmEST)

Facilitated by: Dr. Adele Lafrance, C.Psych

 

They will meet criteria for certification requirements (coming June 18!) and will include a Q & A period. Join to learn about the model for the first time or for a refresher.

 

I will also be offering an advanced training on parent block chair-work. Please note: there is a 6-person limit to enrolment to allow for depth of learning and individualized review of participant video. Prior EFFT training required.

 

Parent Block Chair-Work – Video Supervision & Training

September 28, 2018 - 3 hours (starts 9amPST/12pmEST)

Facilitated by: Dr. Adele Lafrance, C.Psych

 

Click here for more information and to register for these offerings (scroll down).

 

b. Are you a member of the Eating Disorder Association of Canada? If so – you can access a free EFFT consultation lead by Dr. Adele Lafrance and Alison Bell on June 25 12pmEST. Simply respond to this email to register. If you're not a member, consider registering for these and other benefits.

 

c. Last call to register to attend the final EFFT-related webinars from the series  "In my Experience..." June offerings include:

 

June 6th at 9amPST / 12pmEST *new date*

EFFT and Dr. Gordon Neufeld's Attachment-Based Developmental Approach

Presenter: Jennifer Pearson MA, RP

Host: Natasha Files, MSW, RSW

 

Date: June 19th at 9amPST / 12pmEST

Adapting EFFT for Foster and Adoptive Families

Presenter: Lois Ells MSW, RSW

Host: Natasha Files MSW, RSW

 

And don't forget the last MHF webinar of the season hosted by our very own Sheila Paluzzi. An opportunity to build self-care into your day!

 

Emotion-Focused Care for Clinicians

June 22, 2018 9PST/12PST

 

Click here to register for these events.

 

Upcoming Trainings:

Our training schedule for Fall and Winter is shaping up! See below for new dates for Fall 2018 and Winter 2019 (public listings only). New material is being introduced at each level and no prior family therapy experience is required.

 

Canada

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)

Sault Ste Marie, ON

October 1-3, 2018

Click here for details

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)

Calgary, AB

October 10-12, 2018

Click here for details

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (2-day)

Stratford, On

November 5 & 6, 2018

Click here for details

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (2-day)

Greater Vancouver Area (Langley), BC

February 18 & 19, 2019

Click here for details

 

Advanced Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)

Greater Vancouver Area (Langley), BC

February 20 - 22, 2019

Click here for details

 

United States

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy for Eating Disorders (1.5 hours)

*this session is open to caregivers and clinicians*

Richmond, VA

September 7, 2018

Click here for details

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy for Eating Disorders (1-day)

Richmond, VA

September 8, 2018

Click here for details

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)

Denver, CO

Fall, 2018

Details coming soon

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (3-day)

Austin, TX

Fall, 2018

Details coming soon

 

Increasing Caregiver Involvement and Decreasing Problematic

Behaviors in Treatment: Lessons Learned from EFFT (1-day)

Louisville, Kentucky

November 15, 2018

Click here for details (AAMFT Conference Institute 109)

 

Hope to see you there!

 

Featured EFFT Therapist

 

This month's featured psychotherapist is Lindi Lazarus, MSW, RSW from Toronto, ON, Canada. Lindi has extensive training and supervision in EFFT. She applies the model to help improve the mental health trajectory of children/adolescents and families. She co-facilitates caregiver workshops as well as offering private services in-person and via secure video. For more info on Lindi's offerings, click here.

 

That’s all for this month! Hope everyone is well!

 

Sincerely,

 

Adele

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May 2018 Edition

May, more than any other month of the year, wants us to feel most alive.

Fennel Hudson

Spring has sprung! And that means the launch of the International Institute for EFFT is around the corner. The Board has been working busily to prepare, including incorporating the great feedback we’ve received… We're almost there!

 

In the meantime, here are a few other tidbits for you all:

 

1. A new revision of one of my favourite handouts is here. A compassionate conceptualization of problematic patterns of caregiving is depicted using the EFFT model. Always so very important to understand the roots of the caregivers' struggles in order to offer support where it is needed most...at the emotional level... It can also be used with individual clients and couples.  Thanks Dr. Allen Sabey for the updated pic! 

 

2. Job opportunity for EFFT Psychologist in Ottawa, Ontario with Anchor Psychologial Services (Drs. Shari Mayman and Katherine Henderson):

 

Anchor Psychological Services is seeking associate psychologists to meet the demands of our growing practice. Located centrally (Westboro) in Ottawa, Ontario, we are a private psychology practice providing assessment and treatment to children, adolescents, adults, and families. Team members provide services from a variety of evidence-based modalities, including but not limited to CBT, DBT, and EFT. We are also at the forefront of the development and implementation of EFFT (Emotion-Focused Family Therapy), and maintain a sub-specialty in the assessment and comprehensive treatment of eating disorders across the lifespan. Full-time and part-time positions may be available, as is supervision for individuals completing their supervised practice hours with the College of Psychologists of Ontario.

 

For more information please connect with Rimi Datta, Office Manager: admin@anchorpsychology.ca

 

3. Congratulations Dr. Laura Connors for being recognized with an Allied Health Preceptor Award for her work. This award by the IWK in Halifax recognizes the outstanding contributions to learning and professional practice at the IWK Health Centre. Dr. Connors is active in clinical care, supervision and training in EFFT. Way to go Laura!

 

4. An EFFTer in BC offered this anecdote and link. Enjoy!

 

“My mom and dad had given my daughter Lily the book “Girls Who Code” which was written by Reshma Saujani. When I was reading the back cover I saw she did a Ted Talk so Lily and I listened to it together. When it was done, I asked Lily what she took away from it and she said, “That it’s better to be brave than to be perfect.” It’s so, so good.”

 

https://www.ted.com/talks/reshma_saujani_teach_girls_bravery_not_perfection/up-next

 

5. Many individuals are seeking research support for the use of EFFT and EFFT-related concepts fro various clinical settings. Here's an awesome paper on the universality of emotion coaching in community and educational contexts that I just loved. Hope it's helpful to you too!

 

6. Are you a member of the Eating Disorder Association of Canada? If so - you can register for participation in the EFFT for ED Special Interest Group. Next meetings are being held May 28th at 12pmEST and June 25th at 12pmEST. Simply respond to this email for call-in information. Not a member? Consider joining for access to this and other resources. You’ll also be supporting a great organization committed to improving the research and practice of ED across Canada.

 

7. By popular demand! Here is the link for the webinar on the Healing Power of Anger. If you are a clinician and weren't able to tune in, you can access it here at no cost. We’ve also had great success offering it as a caregiver resource for parents and caregivers engaged in EFFT services.

 

8. Do you have 4-6 days of EFFT training? Are you interested in becoming a 2-day caregiver workshop facilitator? The certification protocol can be found here. Join the many EFFTers worldwide bringing this service to caregivers in need.

 

9. Interested in training? New training dates for 2018/2019 in Canada and the US will be set next week during our yearly planning meeting. Stay tuned!

 

10. And finally... a few of my recent/fave links you might also find helpful:

 

a. Really cool perspective on the value of parental ignorance. Say what?

https://www.vincegowmon.com/when-kids-long-for-your-ignorance-more-than-your-knowledge/

 

b. Hilarious depiction of meal-time crisis negotiation...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiJRNaC_Ftg (Thanks Dr. Elizabeth Easton!)

 

c. Love, love, love the movie "Inside Out" and in particular this scene that shows the healing power of crawling into the dark cave (as opposed to the bright side)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT6FdhKriB8. I am the only one who tears up watching this cartoon?! #superfeeler 

 

That's all folks! Sending good wishes your way!

 

Adele

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April 2018 Edition

“The world is its own magic.” 

― Shunryu Suzuki

 

1. First off - I'm happy to welcome over 100 new EFFTers this month from various sectors across North America. What a pleasure it's been for us to work with so many wonderful clinicians, and we are excited to share that we were able to offer 7 pro bono clinician training spots through Mental Health Foundations. Welcome everyone!

 

2. Announcing a new web-based resource! Inspired by EFFT principles, click here to access the Eating Disorder webinar for caregivers to learn scripts to respond to “I won't eat that”, “I don't want help” & "I feel fat" in a way that is loving and productive. Feel to share widely!

 

3. French-speaking EFFTers - we have a new print resource for you. Click here for a French version of the latest Emotion Coaching handout thanks to fellow EFTer Dr. Solange Cook-Darzens. Merci!

 

4. We made it in the Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy (Springer Link)! Thanks to Dr. Allen Sabey for taking the lead on the entry. You can access it here.

 

5. How NOT to apologize... Hilarious video courtesy of "Friends" and Drs. Shari Mayman and Katherine Henderson. On the flip-side - here is a great video on the effects of a sincere apologize a la Modern Family! And one more :) Several people have forwarded this one along - a great TED talk by Susan David on emotional courage (I've heard her book is good too). Enjoy!

 

6. Along with colleagues, we are recruiting participants aged 18-30 to complete a survey to examine shared risk factors for obesity and disordered eating. To conduct this study successfully we need a wide range of participants with and without weight or eating problems to complete an online questionnaire. Please consider participating and passing this link along to your contacts. We greatly appreciate your support!

 

Study link: https://deakinsurveys.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_23kBVtppGqH2hoN?inst=quebec 

 

7. Featured EFFT web-based consultations this month:

Emotion-Focused Healthcare *tomorrow*

April 17, 2018 9PST/12PST

Presenters: Adele Lafrance PhD, C.Psych & Dr. Ashley Miller MDCM,FRCPC

*Open to all hospital staff (admin and healthcare)

Experiential Supervision using Clinician Block Chair-work (video demonstration)

May 24, 2018 9PST/12PST

Presenter: Natasha Files

 

Click here to register for these and other offerings.

 

Upcoming Trainings

 

As some of you know, some of my travel has been affected by unforeseen issues related to US immigration. I sincerely apologize to those inconvenienced! And sincere thanks to Natasha Files and so many others for stepping in to support those affected. Below are updated training opportunities that are open to the public with new dates to be announced in BC, Ontario and Newfoundland (core and Advanced).

 

April 23, 24 & 25, 2018

London, UK - with Jennifer Danby and Natasha Files

Click here for details.

 

May 16, 17 & 18, 2018

Chicago, IL - with Dr. Adele Lafrance and Dr. Allen Sabey

Click here for details

 

November 5 & 6, 2018

Stratford, On - with Dr. Adele Lafrance

Click here for details

 

***Also - please note that Dr. Mirisse Foroughe will be offering a 3-day introductory training in EFT for children and families, including concepts from EFFT and EFST, through the York Psychology Clinic in Toronto this June. More information can be found here. I highly recommend this training.

 

Interested in certification? We are approaching launch date! Individuals will be able to certify as an EFFT clinician (for nurses, dieticians, child and youth counsellors, pastoral staff, etc), EFFT therapist or advanced EFFT therapist. The therapist designations are for those authorized to practice psychotherapy. We are excited to continue supporting the evolution and growth of this model and we look forward to formalizing these pathways. For more information, please visit the International Institute for EFFT here. The official launch will be announced via this newsletter and other social media channels.

 

News or resources to share? I'd love to hear from you! Simply respond to this email.

 

All the best!

 

Adele

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February 2018 Edition

There is always in February some one day, at least, when one smells the yet distant, but surely coming, summer. - Gertrude Jekyll

 

Happy Monday Adele! Here is the February EFFT Newsletter.

 

Low-cost or no-cost online clinician opportunities:

 

a. We are excited to announce a new series of EFFT webinars for the Winter and Spring. Registration is by donation (any amount!) and all proceeds go to the ongoing development of resources for caregivers and clinicians. No prior training or experience with EFFT is required. Click here for more information and to register.

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy: Parent Block Chair-Work

March 5, 2018 9PST/12EST

Presenter: Allen Sabey, PhD, LMFT & Adele Lafrance, PhD, C.Psych

 

Emotion-Focused Healthcare

April 17, 2018 9PST/12PST

Presenter: Adele Lafrance, PhD, C.Psych

(this webinar is geared for administrative, nursing and medical staff)

 

Experiential Supervision using Clinician Block Chair-Work

May 24, 2018 9PST/12PST

Presenter: Natasha Files, MSW, RSW

 

Emotion-Focused Self-Care for Clinicians

June 23, 2018 9PST/12PST

Presenter: Sheila Paluzzi, MSW, RSW

 

b. We are so pleased that so many clinicians and educators were able to join the Emotion-Focused School Support webinar last week. Over a hundred live participants! If you weren't able to join and are interested in learning about this modality, you can access the recording here.

 

c. As you may be aware, we are also offering a series of free EFFT consultation webinars entitled: "In My Experience" lead by skilled EFFTers. These events are live and include a Q & A. Our February offerings include:

 

The Sandwich Generation – Experiences Using EFFT with Aging Parents

February 8th at 9amPST / 12pmEST

 

Analyse comparative d’un cas d’anxiété généralisée selon les perspectives psychodynamique,cognitive-comportementale et centrée sur les émotions

February 28th at 9amPST / 12pmEST

 

Click here and scroll down to register for these or other upcoming webinars.

 

d. Are you a member of the Eating Disorder Association of Canada? If so – you can access free EFFT consultations lead by Dr. Adele Lafrance on February 27 - 1pmEST & March 21 - 1pmEST. Simply respond to this email to register.

New Webinar for Parents / Caregivers of a loved one with an ED:

 

In recognition of Eating Disorder Awareness Month, Mental Health Foundations is offering a webinar for parents and caregivers supporting a loved one with an ED. The content is inspired by the 2-day ED caregiver workshop. Registration is by donation. Click here for more information and to join (maximum of 100 registrants).

 

Resources:

 

a. Are you in need of a 1-page handout to describe EFFT for clients or even colleagues? We’ve put one together for these purposes. Feel free to use, or even revise, as you see fit. Here it is.

 

b. Thanks to the generosity of Jiabao Gao, we will now have parent materials available in Chinese! Here are links to the Super-Feeler handout and the Validation of Anger handout. Please share and use freely. Also - thanks to Dr. Selina Leung, there is now an EFFT parenting manual to go along with the caregiver workshop. If you are interested in this resource, please connect with her via email  selinaholeung@gmail.com  or by web:  www.iefta.com. If you are proficient in any of these languages: French, Spanish or Punjabi, and have an interest in supporting the translation of caregiver materials, we’d love to hear from you!

 

c. A few years ago, fellow EFTer Antonio Pascual-Leone and colleagues published the following paper: Problem Anger in Psychotherapy: An Emotion-Focused Perspective on Hate, Rage and Rejecting Anger. I highly recommend this excellent read!

 

d. Aha! Parenting has done it again. Check out this great post – but with a twist!  Read it as if it had to do with your co-parent, spouse or partner.  Love it! And multi-purpose :)

 

e. Another great article on the collective responsibility of individual mental health. It takes a village and we’re all part of the solution. #strongertogether

 

“What if trauma also results from a shortcoming on the part of society to support families in thriving? If society helped informed teachers and parents meet children’s basic human needs for attachment and connection, would we produce fewer traumatized adults?”

 

Do you know of a colleague who may be interested in this newsletter? Feel fee to provide this link for sign-up: http://www.mentalhealthfoundations.ca/clinician-sign-up-form

Featured Workshops:

 

a. This month’s featured EFFT caregiver workshop is taking place early February in Ottawa, Ontario in Canada. and facilitated by Drs. Katherine Henderson and Shari Mayman (who are also co-authors on the EFFT clinician manual). It is designed to help all caregivers manage their child’s difficult behaviours and emotions, across the lifespan. Click here for details

 

If you are offering trainings and/or caregiver workshops and would like this information included on our websites, please email Sheila Paluzzi with a web link to your website / registration page.

 

b. Are you a woman interested in a personal development opportunity to support deep and meaningful change in your life? Consider this inaugural Healing Retreat for Women led by one of our MHF team members (and EFFTer) Sheila Paluzzi and held in Northern Ontario, Canada:

 

Friday, May 4 - Sunday, May 6, 2018 @ Stokely Creek Lodge, Goulais River, Ontario. Click here for more information or to register. 

 

Upcoming Trainings:

 

Join one of our core or advanced trainings in Canada, the USA and the UK. New material is being introduced at each level and no prior family therapy experience is required.

 

Canada

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy

Vancouver, BC

March 8 & 9, 2018

Click here for details (only 15 spaces remain)

 

*NEW* Advanced Emotion-Focused Family Therapy

Vancouver, BC

March 12 - 14, 2018

Click here for details (only 9 spaces remain)

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy

Calgary, AB

April 5 & 6, 2018

Click here for details 

 

United States

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy

Denver, CO

April 12 & 13, 2018

Click here for details.

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy

Chicago, IL

May 16, 17 & 18, 2018

Click here for details

 

United Kingdom

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy

London, UK

April 23, 24 & 25, 2018

Click here for details

 

Sincerely,

 

Adele

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January 2018 Edition 

I hope this email finds you well and that you had a lovely holiday. I am pleased to share with you big news about EFFT certification, training opportunities and new and updated resources for your use.

 

Launch of the International Institute for EFFT and EFFT Certification

 

I am so very excited to announce the launch of the International Institute for Emotion-Focused Family Therapy.  Among other foci, the Institute will offer EFFT certification. Certification pathways will be available for clinicians (nurses, dietitians, etc.) and psychotherapists committed to the practice of EFFT. An expedited pathway will also be available for those clinicians and psychotherapists with prior training, experience and supervision. Certified practitioners will be provided with access to advanced resources and included in a directory on the Institute’s website to direct potential referrals. Applications will be available for submission this Spring.

 

For preliminary review of certification standards, please visit: www.efftinternational.org. We welcome your feedback as we finalize these processes.

 

Free Supervision

 

a. As you may be aware, we are offering a series of free EFFT consultation webinars entitled:" In My Experience" lead by experienced EFFTers. These events are live and include a Q & A. Our January offerings include:

 

January 16th at 9amPST / 12pm EST

Integrating EFFT in FBT for ED - Part I

Presenter: Caralynne MacLean MCP, RCC

Host: Sheila Paluzzi MSW, RSM 

 

January 26th at 9amPST / 12pm EST

EFFT: Short-term Applications

Presenter: Sheila Paluzzi MSW, RSW

 

January 30th at 9amPST / 12pm EST

Emotion-Focused School Support

Presenter: Dr. Adele Lafrance C.Psych

*this webinar is geared for both clinicians and school personnel

 

Click here to register for these or other upcoming webinars and consider donating to support the ongoing development and offering of these clinical opportunities.

 

b. Did you miss Natasha Files webinar on clinician blocks? You can access a recording of it here to brush up on or learn about the various methods for maintaining awareness of potential problematic reactions. We’re all human after all!

 

c. Are you a member of the Eating Disorder Association of Canada? If so – you can access free EFFT consultations lead by Dr. Adele Lafrance on January 18 - 1pmEST,

February 27 - 1pmEST & March 21 - 1pmEST. Simply respond to this email to register.

 

Upcoming Trainings

 

Join one of our core or advanced trainings in Canada, the USA and the UK. New material is being introduced at each level and no prior family therapy experience is required.

 

Canada

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy

Vancouver, BC

March 8 & 9, 2018

Click here for details

 

*NEW* Advanced Emotion-Focused Family Therapy

Vancouver, BC

March 12 - 14, 2018

Click here for details 

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy

Calgary, AB

April 5 & 6, 2018

Click here for details 

United States

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy

Denver, CO

April 12 & 13, 2018

Click here for details.

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy

Chicago, IL

May 16, 17 & 18, 2018

Click here for details

 

United Kingdom

 

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy

London, UK

April 23, 24 & 25, 2018

Click here for details

Caregiver Workshops

 

Caregiver workshops may be available in your area. Our featured caregiver workshop is taking place in Maple Ridge, BC this January. A limited number of clinician training spots are available. For more information or to register, click here.

 

If you are offering trainings and/or caregiver workshops and would like this information included on our websites, please email Sheila Paluzzi with a web link to your website / registration page.

 

Resources

 

a. Have you attended an EFFT training and do you use the parent block chair-work in your practice? Here is the updated script for your records. It’s the one featured in the APA video and the parent-block research study. We do recommend some training prior to use.

 

b. Interesting read by fellow EFTer Jessica Borelli on raising boys capable of expressing vulnerability:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-importance-of-fostering-emotional-diversity-in-boys/

 

c. A great perspective piece on the emotional life of toddlers and the myth of the terrible twos!

 

“There is more of an awareness that when we say the “terrible twos” we’re really talking about the adult experience rather than the child’s.

 

https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/12/the-myth-of-the-terrible-twos/548282/?utm_source=atlfb

 

d. Have you or your organization developed EFFT-related materials for you clients? Willing to share? We’d love to pass them along for others to use. Better together!

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November 2017 Edition

Good morning Adele!

 

Please see below for EFFT-related news and  updates.

 

1. BIG NEWS! We at MHF are excited to announce a new clinician webinar series for 2018 entitled: In My Experience with EFFT… So grateful to the many EFFT clinicians (with lots of EFFT training, supervision and clinical experience!) who are volunteering to offer a dozen free webinars this coming year. A sample of topics include:

 

Integrating EFFT in FBT for ED

EFFT in Acute Crisis Settings

Emotion-Focused School Support (open to clinicians AND educators)

End-of-Life: Crossing the Bridge with Family Caregivers

 

Click here for a complete list of offerings and to register for these live events. We also invite you to consider making a donation to off-set operating costs specifically related to our free offerings. We thank you in advance for your support!

 

2. We completed our first Advanced EFFT training last month! It was a wonderful event and we are excited to announce that we’ve scheduled another in Vancouver in the Spring. For a listing of all MHF-sponsored EFFT trainings in North America, click here

 

3. Interested in a review of EFFT parent block interventions? Thanks to Natasha Files for hosting a live webinar on the various methods to support parents to increase awareness and move through the experience of blocks. And remember – there is wisdom in every parent (and clinician) block! Let that wisdom inform the “how”! To access this recorded webinar, click here.

 

You can also view the latest webinar that Dr. Allen Sabey and I facilitated on parent block chair-work here. Due to the sensitive nature of the content, this webinar will only be available for 30 days. Take advantage of the opportunity to become introduced to the technique or brush up on your skills.

 

4. Check out this great blog entry by Courtney Morton, LCSW from ERC in Texas. A great read for parents supporting a child with an ED. Thanks Courtney!

 

5. Gaming addiction? Is it a thing? Click here for a story on the psychology of problematic gaming, including a section where I talk about behavior coaching and the need for human connection.

 

6. Are you a member of the Eating Disorder Association of Canada? If so - you can register for participation in the EFFT for ED Special Interest Group. Next meetings are being held November 29th at 1pmEST and December 20th at 1pmEST. Simply respond to this email for call-in information. Not a member? Consider joining for access to this and other resources. You’ll also be supporting a great organization committed to improving the research and practice of ED across Canada.

 

EFSS News and Updates

 

1. I had the honour of presenting on Emotion-Focused School Support alongside Dr. Ross Greene (Explosive Child; Lost at School, etc) at the New England School-Based Mental Health conference in Boston last week. I was so pleased to meet fellow EFT and EFFTers there. Next stop – Calgary in the Fall of 2018. Keep an eye out for the official announcement through Dr. Greene’s not-for-profit organization Lives in the Balance

 

2. Help us to spread the word to teachers and support staff! Feel free to pass along the information for our free webinar on EFSS - January 30th at 9amPST/12pmEST. Click here for details.

 

3. Are you a graduate student or professional in a school setting with expertise in conducting research? Interested in supporting the evidence base for EFSS? Let us know so that we can connect you with others interested in the same. Better together!

 

4. Thanks to Dr. Laura Connors for this excellent school-based resource through one of my favorite sites: Aha Parenting. Enjoy!

 

Have a resource to share or an idea for a future newsletter. Simply respond to this email – I’d love to hear from you!

 

Sincerely,

 

Adele
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October 2017 Edition

Fall is upon us! This month's newsletter features EFFT in the media, information on trainings and new resources for parents and clinicians. But first off....

 

Welcome!

 

We are excited to introduce MHF's newest member - Jenna Fletcher. Jenna is a Registered Psychotherapist and Yoga Teacher based in Ottawa, Canada. She is passionate about embodied healing, that is restoring health in mind, body, emotion, relationship, and spirit. She is also committed to our mission of bringing low- and no-cost resources to parents and clinicians. Welcome Jenna!

 

The Healing Power of Anger 

 

We are pleased to share that our first online clinician training / consultation on EFFT and the Healing Power of Anger was a success. Thanks to all those who participated from across the globe (and for your feedback!). If you are a clinician and weren't able to tune in, you can access it here at no cost. 

 

EFFT in the news...

 

Congratulations to the Fraser Health ED Program! They were honoured with an Innovator Award for their commitment to bringing EFFT to their program - and across the lifespan! Check it out here

 

We've been featured! Invited by the "Conversation", I wrote a piece on parent blocks in the context of ED that was published and picked up by the National Post. Check it out here.

 

Trainings

 

Save the date! 3-day training coming to Calgary April 4-6, 2018. Details to follow!

 

Our upcoming 2-day in Vancouver is *sold out*! We have 5 remaining spots available in our advanced. Click here for details or to register. Minimum of two days of previous training required.

 

On the east coast? Check out a new 3-day being facilitated this month by Drs. Cheryl Aubie and Laura Connors. Click here for more information on this training and others, including in Denver, Colorado and Chicago, Illinois.

 

What to say to a loved one who refuses to engage?

 

Thanks to the MHF team for working to put together a new hand-out for parents on the validation of silence. If you’ve been to a training recently, you’ve likely learned to validate silence.  And as you will know, we encourage all therapists to coach parents to learn to do the same. Now we’ve got a parent-version of the handout to support this process. As always - your feedback is welcome during this test phase (after which we will make it available on the website).

 

EFFT Parenting Video Series

 

We also encourage you to share the free link to our online parenting video series based on the 2-day EFFT caregiver workshop. Clinicians have shared that they've used this resource as a primer for upcoming clients, including for those on their wait-lists. And of course it can serve as a booster for any caregiver working to embody the principles. Thanks again to Natasha for making it happen! It's a vulnerable thing!

 

Finally, if you are interested in helping to increase the accessibility of professional resources for individuals, caregivers and clinicians - I'd love to hear from you!

 

Sincerely,

 

Adele

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