Healing Addiction with EFT for couples
Healing Addiction from the Inside Out
Join us for this 2-day workshop and learn how to apply EFT to the treatment of addiction. Together, we’ll explore how EFT can help us move beyond stabilization and toward healing the deeper shame, pain, and attachment wounds that often underlie addiction processes and the attempts to regulate, soothe, or escape from overwhelming emotional experiences.
About the trainer
Michael Barnett, LPCC Certified EFT Trainer
Michael Barnett is a licensed clinical psychotherapist in both California and Georgia with over 30 years of clinical experience.
Michael is an ICEEFT (International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy) certified supervisor and trainer in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT) and founded the Atlanta Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy in 2008 which he directed for over 15 years. He is currently co-director of the EFT Center of Los Angeles which remains committed to clinical excellence, prioritizing relationship, and a deep commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity within the community and beyond. Michael has earnestly endeavored to use the therapeutic relationship as a vehicle for not only improving the current lives of his clients, but to engage with them through support, care, and clinical experience in order to offer healing for the deepest emotional and personal wounds that have often been present since childhood.
Michael specializes in applying EFT and attachment processes to the intersecting complexities of trauma and addiction. He has written and published the EFT and Addiction Workbook (New Harbinger Press) for people interested in transforming their relationship with addiction. In addition to his writing, training, and clinical work in these areas Michael also conducted a 3-year research project incorporating EFT into inpatient addiction treatment protocols at a leading alcohol and drug treatment center in Atlanta. Michael has taught EFT throughout the United States and abroad, facilitating trainings for EFT therapist and supervisor certification. Michael offers presentations, trainings, and workshops at the foremost psychotherapy and addiction symposia across the country as well as addresses therapy associations and group practices as a consultant.
Using life experience, clinical competence, and compassion Michael presents the EFT model to diverse audiences and populations. He has been described by others as a warm, knowledgeable, and approachable person and therapist. Whenever he gets the chance, he enjoys immersing himself in time with family and friends, playing guitar, meditation, exercise, and if he is lucky, losing himself in the majesty of nature.
About this workshop
Through a combination of presentations, videotapes, and exercises, participants will learn to integrate the core principles of attachment theory and EFT into the addiction treatment process, using an attachment-based lens to understand the emotional and relational dynamics that fuel addiction processes. Participants will learn how to help couples identify, work through, and heal the triggers and interactional patterns that keep addiction cycles in place, while fostering greater emotional accessibility, responsiveness, and secure connection.
Learning objectives:
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Describe an attachment-based understanding of the impact of addiction on the brain and relationships.
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Identify therapist biases in working with clients on the addictive continuum
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Discuss cultural influences on our current opinions on addiction
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Discuss the role of trauma in the development of addictive behaviors.
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Describe EFT Assessment Skills when a client presents with behaviors on the addictive continuum
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Discuss how to determine if EFT is indicated when addiction or possible addiction surfaces in treatment.
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Describe the systemic elements to addictive processes (i.e. how they effect a couple’s cycle)
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Practice placing addiction and addictive processes into a couple’s negative cycle.
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Explain the impact of addiction on emotional regulation and processing specific to EFT work.
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Practice EFT skills that are tailored to work with the emotion regulation abilities of clients on the addictive continuum
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Describe the role of shame on the clinical presentation in working with couples on the addictive continuum
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Discuss how Stage 2 EFT processes can effectively heal the emotional pain that substances historically were used to dull.
Our bilingual format allows participants to attend in the original language of the trainer (English) or to attend to an optional simultaneous French translation channel!
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This training will be recognized for Continuing Education by l'Ordre des Psychologues du Québec (OPQ). A certificate of participation including the OPQ recognition number will be given to participants.
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US-based therapists: 12 Continuing Education credits by Alliant will be available to purchase.
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Inclusion and accessibility are at the heart of our values. We strive to increase inclusion and accessibility both linguistically, by creating varied learning opportunities for French-speaking communities, and financially. Among our initiatives, we will offer 6 equity rate scholarships for this training (including 2 reserved for Quebec residents and 2 for students), to encourage the participation of therapists from marginalized communities.
REGISTRATION DETAILS
DATES: April 9-10, 2027
EVENT TIME: 10am-5:30pm Eastern Time
PLACE: Online live
PREREQUISITE: Externship or equivalent
COST: Early bird (effective until December 11, 2026): $600CAD
Regular: $650CAD txs included
Special rates
Equity rate (students & members of underrepresented communities): $550CAD txs included*
Supervisors: $550CAD txs included
EFT Quebec members: $550CAD txs included
*maximum of 6 equity & student rates available, including 2 reserved for Quebec residents. For all special rates, fill out the form and email us at eftquebec@gmail.com to receive payment instructions.
* For confidentiality reasons, no recordings will be made. Trainers reserve the right to adjust lunch and break times without notice. Please ensure that you are available from start to finish on each training day.