Michelle is deeply committed to continuous learning. She actively supports multiple iterations of both online and in-person Core Skills and Externship trainings. Dedicated to professional growth, Michelle regularly engages in EFT peer support groups, seeks case consultations, and stays informed about the latest research and best practices. As an approved supervisor in Arizona and an EFT Supervisor-in-Training, she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her work. Michelle knows how lonely it can be in this work of being there for others. Let Michelle join you on your journey to become the best therapist you can be for your clients.
EFT Supervision
Supervision is a critical component in the journey to becoming a certified Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) therapist. It provides a structured and supportive environment where candidates can deepen their understanding of EFT principles, refine their therapeutic skills, and receive guidance on applying the model effectively with clients. Supervision typically involves reviewing session recordings, discussing clinical challenges, and receiving constructive feedback from an ICEEFT-approved supervisor. This process ensures that therapists develop competence in key EFT interventions, such as accessing and deepening emotions, restructuring interactions, and creating change events. By engaging in supervision, candidates gain the confidence and expertise necessary to provide high-quality, evidence-based therapy while meeting the rigorous standards for certification.
Why become an EFT certified therapist? Read the research.
We should not be on this journey alone! EFT supervision follows the ACES model to focus on and offer support in 4 main areas:
Alliance
The alliance between supervisor and supervisee (we can only learn if we feel safe!).
Conceptual
Your conceptual understanding of the EFT model (e.g. steps and stages of EFT, the EFT tango, tracking the negative cycle, holding the attachment frame).
Experiential
Your ability to “feel” the concepts of the EFT model and apply it in an experiential way (e.g., attunement, using RISSSSC, using your own emotional reactions to guide your interventions, your ability to evoke emotion).
Self-of-the-therapist
The human parts of you that can get triggered in session and can interrupt your ability to attune or stay focused on the EFT model.
What does an hour of EFT supervision look like?
- Touch base about how you are doing (as therapist and human)
- Collaboratively choose an area of focus
- Review of video recorded session
- Discussion and role-plays
- Set a goal
What does a safe supervisor do?
- Welcome all parts of you
- Ask for regular feedback
- Will help you grow without shaming
- Will point out, highlight, and celebrate your strengths and successes
- Will actively address ruptures and invite repair
Why is it important that my supervisor is certified by ICEEFT?
- ICEEFT certified supervisors (and supervisors-in-training) undergo a rigorous process of training and evaluation in order to ensure their knowledge of the EFT model and their ability to support supervisees using the ACES model of supervision.
- The ACES model of EFT supervision is research based (Palmer-Olsen, Gold, and Woolley, 2011) and is considered the best model for EFT supervision.
When is the best time to start EFT supervision?
- As soon as you’ve completed the externship, are seeing couples and recording your work, you are ready for supervision!
- Some therapists, such as those who received EFT training in graduate school, have had enough exposure to EFT to benefit from EFT supervision prior to taking the externship.
- A great time to start EFT supervision is following core-skills, since by then, you have been exposed to the main concepts of the EFT model and have had experience video-recording your sessions (a requirement in order to complete core skills)
- You will get the most out of EFT supervision when you have had enough prior exposure to the EFT model that the supervision can focus on strengthening your existing conceptual and experiential abilities, rather than having a primarily didactic focus.
Why EFT supervision?
- Great next step after either of the core trainings in EFT (externship and/or core skills)
- ACES model of supervision is empirically based
- Safe place to consult about EFT cases
- Identify, develop and celebrate your strengths
- Identify and help you with learning gaps, challenges and blocks
- Help you take care of YOU (Self of the Therapist)
- Help you work toward certification
Credit to: https://www.eftqc.com/eft-supervision for explaining this process so beautifully!
