Attachment in Action: Combining Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with EMDR for traumatised couples and individuals

LIVE ONLINE | 17 September 2025 | 3.00pm – 6.00pm AEST | 3 CPD hours

Emotionally Focussed Therapy (EFT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) have both accumulated a substantial and robust evidence base over the past few decades and are now used to address a broad range of clinical issues affecting both individuals and couples.

Mark Snelling will first explore the foundational principles of each modality, drawing from Attachment Theory, Systemic Practice, Interpersonal Neurobiology and EMDR’s Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. He will then consider how increasing numbers of therapists are blending EFT and EMDR to form a powerful and effective trauma treatment.

The training will provide both a theoretical understanding of both models as well as a detailed examination of the particular techniques and skills needed to guide clients towards meaningful change and recovery.

Program Outline  

• Introduction to both EFT and EMDR, including their origins, evolution and broadening clinical adaptations.
• The development of EFT from a purely couple therapy to an intervention for individuals and its particular benefits for trauma clients.
• Phases of treatment in both modalities and how they can be combined.
• How this approach fosters and deepens the therapist’s own capacity to attune to their inner processes and those of their clients.

Come learn about….

• How to help couples and individuals identify and understand their repeating negative patterns of interaction and build secure attachment with others and themselves.
• The EFT micro-skills involved in helping clients identify and process the underlying core emotions that are driving their negative patterns.
• The clinical choice-points where EMDR can be used to process blocks and maintain momentum in the progress of treatment.