From Withdraw to Reach: Navigating Shame in the EFT Process

September 18, 2026 | 12 noon to 1pm CT | 1.0 CE credit hours

Live, interactive, and virtual (via Zoom)

**Registration for the live course closes on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 5pm CT**

CE/CEU credits included: 1.0 (see below for approval details). You must attend at least 90% of the live webinar to receive continuing education credits, and attendance is monitored (partial credit not awarded).

Format: Live virtual workshop via Zoom. If you are interested in the on-demand version of this course, click here

Investment: $19

• Or purchase all live 10 EFT webinars (scheduled in 2026) for $169 (click here)

Presenter: Dave Jackson, PhD, LP (see bio below)

Abstract:

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples is an evidence-based approach to couples therapy with strong evidence indicating that it significantly improves relationship satisfaction and reduces conflict for couples (Beasley & Ager, 2019). At the same time, there are numerous nuances to learn when practicing effective EFT with couples. In this webinar, we will explore how each partner's moves in the cycle have typically been developed to guard against the exposure of shame. Accordingly, we need to develop methods to notice and close-validate shame that occurs in Stage 1 during couples therapy. Once the safety of de-escalation has been achieved, we need to access primary emotions as a way to explore negative view of self, with an expectation that shame often lies at the core of this negative view of self. The presenter will stress that the apex of EFT, the Stage 7 “reach”, mostly involves the sharing of shame and will discuss ways this can be navigated within couples therapy. Participants will leave this webinar with a better understanding of how to navigate shame within EFT couples therapy. This is an intermediate-level webinar that is appropriate for licensed mental health professionals and students in mental health graduate training programs.

Objectives*:

1. Describe how shame is at the core of Stage 2 work
2. Explain how EFT deals with shame in Stage 1

Non-Discrimination:

HPC and ATAGF do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, military status, sexual orientation, or age.

Conflict of Interest Statements:

There is no known commercial support for this program, nor are there any relationships between the CE sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could be construed as conflicts of interests. Dr. Jackson is the co-owner of Assessment & Therapy Associates of Grand Forks, PLLC (one of the course co-sponsors). There is also no commercial support or benefits for endorsement of products (e.g., books, training, drugs).

The presenter will inform participants of the utility and validity of content discussed (including the basis for statements about utility/validity), as well as limitations of the approach and the most common and severe risks, if any, associated with program content.

Requests for Accommodations:

HPC and ATAGF are committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in all aspects of its continuing education activities. Participants with special needs should contact program organizers so reasonable accommodations can be made.

To request accommodations, contact ATAGF's Director of Continuing Education, Erin Haugen, PhD, LP, CMPC, at [email protected].