What is EFT Supervision?
EFT Supervision is a journey into transformation where YOU as the therapist get to be the focus and be supported, no longer alone!
In Graduate School, when we learned counseling and participated in “supervision”, it was generally focused on cases … in other words, “Case Consultation”, where we were asked to bring cases and the focus was on the client. EFT Supervisor Sandy Jardine wisely notes that format is like “fire-fighting,” where we focus on the fire at hand and put it out.
But that is NOT EFT Supervision. EFT Supervision is a journey into transformation where YOU as the therapist get to be the focus, you get supported, you get invested in. And that means this journey holds so many more possibilities for how you can grow, stretch, and evolve! That’s exciting!
The ACES Model of EFT Supervision developed by ICEEFT uses the acronym “ACES” to describe the types of areas we might discuss in our times together:
A - Alliance (meaning OUR relationship and you feeling safe in our collaboration!) and Assessment (of where you are at on your EFT journey and how I can support you; that includes reviewing videos of your work since the only way any of us knows what we are actually doing in sessions is when we watch videos of our own work. (Here is a great video on watching your EFT videos on your own prior to your supervision session.) Sue Johnson developed EFT through observation of her videos, and it is no less important for therapists and supervisors alike to watch videos of our work too! If you need help on how to record videos of your sessions (with client permission first always!), click here.) I encourage you to limit yourself to one video clip of 10-15 minutes’ length for each session so you can focus on what feels truly most important for you that hour. That will give us time to process at a deeper level through the “C” and “E”, etc., components of EFT supervision.
C - Conceptual (learning the model and concepts of Emotionally Focused Therapy) This is where we process some specific focus which emerged in the video clip (and the session from which it came) and tie in the related EFT concept(s) to help expand and deepen your EFT toolbox. After we process the conceptual dimension, the next step in EFT supervision, is to try it on! After all, EFT is an Experiential therapy and we never really know if we “get it” until we can “do it” experientially. So, we take the next step of moving to the “E” in EFT Supervision ….
E - Experiential - This is where we get to “play” and experiment in a no-risk sort of way, experientially trying on the concepts live-time together, such as through role-plays. This is the fun part! Trying on different words and ways of being in a safe supervisory context helps solidify the learnings in your brain and body in a deeper way so you can go back to your clients with greater confidence.
S - Self-of-the-Therapist - There may be times when an internal block comes up (after all, we ARE all humans with our own vulnerabilities and raw spots) and so in supervision we could make space to, in a supportive manner, go in to explore it, for the purpose of helping it shift in your work with clients. This might feel a little like therapy at moments, but it is different, because after we explore the block, we then bring the new awareness of the block back to helping you re-enter the therapy situations that triggered the block but now do those situations differently. (See the below video with EFT Trainer Kathryn de Bruin to explore this more in depth!) For Self-of-the-Therapist work, EFT Supervisors use what we call the HEARTS model:
Here & Now access to emotion/block/reactivity
Explore block (like in Tango Move 1)
Access Emotion below block (like in Tango Move 2)
Respond/resonate from Secure Supervisor
Track back & transform the emotion (e.g. roleplay)
Synthesize experiences (Tango Moves 4-5: process, integrate/validate)
How does that sound and feel to you reading those descriptions of EFT Supervision? I can testify that in my own receiving of EFT Supervision I have felt SEEN, validated, supported, and SAFE in a very deep way. It has been so refreshing to feel that while I was concerned about the case and my clients’ care, someone was seeing ME, concerned about ME and how I was doing and what I was needing. Those are all rare and special gifts. I have felt like my EFT Supervisors “have my back” and I am not alone in those deep and tricky places of journeying with clients’ hearts and most important relationships. If you feel like you would like that too, I’d be honored to have a conversation to see if what I offer would feel like a good fit for you.
Certified EFT Trainer Elana Katz on what it is like learning EFT and developing your skills in the model
Becoming an EFT Therapist (Learning EFT)
EFT Trainer Kathryn de Bruin on Self of the Therapist Issues
Listen to these Podcasts on the topic of “Self of the Therapist” from The Leading Edge Podcast with EFT Trainers Drs. James Hawkins and Ryan Rana! (Click on the images below to listen.)
EFT Trainer Lieven Migerode and EFT Supervisor Jef Slootmaeckers have kindly made available their video "EFIT in Supervision--a Story". Lieven and Jef write: “In this clip we narrate a story of a supervision process, and we interrupt the telling of the story to reflect on the process. In this clip we elaborate on how we try to do growth oriented supervision and show how EFIT can be really helpful in this process.”
This video provides a beautiful example to supervisees of the safety that EFT supervision can have. And it offers lovely modeling to EFT supervisors of what we are invited into through providing EFT (vs. other) supervision.
And if you are wanting additional options for possible ICEEFT approved EFT Supervisors, feel free to check out the ICEEFT website’s list of supervisors or ask me for recommendations. Through videoconferencing technology (like HIPAA compliant, encrypted forms of Zoom), EFT therapists can have access to quality EFT Supervisors from around the country. While I would be honored to journey with you, the most important thing is that you get your need met and reach your EFT goals!
As stated on the ICEEFT website:
“the words “supervisor” and “supervision” are used expressly for the purpose of training in the EFT model, and do not imply / constitute any ethical / legal responsibility for cases discussed. For all intents and purposes, a Certified EFT Supervisor is an EFT consultant. All therapists receiving such supervision / consultation are wholly responsible for the therapy they provide and they are also responsible for receiving appropriate supervision, as required, by their respective governing and/or licensing authorities. ICEEFT requires that every effort be made to protect the confidentiality of the client. Any web-based sharing of information or encryption of sessions must be done in accordance with the standards of the professional college of the supervisor. ICEEFT is not responsible for supervisor’s actions in this regard.” - https://iceeft.com/road-to-certification/ (2020).