Emotion Focused Therapy
Training Program
HiEFT provides a comprehensive training program in Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) for individuals as well as specialized workshops (masterclasses) for the application of EFT to specific psychological problems.
Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) is a research-based humanistic approach that considers emotions to be central to human functioning and therapeutic change. It is an integrative approach that incorporates elements from person-centered therapy, gestalt therapy, focusing, existential and narrative therapy. It was originally developed by Dr. Leslie Greenberg in collaboration with Dr. Robert Elliott and Dr. Laura Rice, through their systematic studies of how people change in treatment. Since then, many research studies have supported its effectiveness in a number of psychological problems. The growing popularity of EFT and the growing research base have made it an important approach to psychotherapy.
Training Program
The training program is based on the standards and requirements of the International Society for Emotion-Focused Therapy. The training is certified by ISEFT. Since the academic year 2025-2026 the program is delivered entirely in Greek.
Training objectives
The training program aims to provide participants with:
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The theoretical basis for understanding emotions and their role in mental health and treatment
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Experiential practice of the skills required to work with emotions in their practice
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Opportunities for professional development through learning highly effective therapeutic interventions that can be applied in any therapeutic approach
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Training in a wide range of experiential response modes that enhance interpersonal therapeutic effectiveness
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Opportunities for personal development through understanding and processing their own emotional processes
Program structure
The full program consists of levels 1 and 2, which are mandatory for those who want to be certified as EFT therapists for individuals.
Level 1 is an intensive four day program. Participants will be taught the essential theory about Emotion Focused Therapy, the role of emotions and how we work with them. They will also be trained in the skills necessary to work with emotions.
Level 2 is a continuation of level 1 and consists of four modules. The first module teaches advanced empathic responses while the remaining modules delve into markers and therapeutic tasks as well as EFT case formulation. Participants are also trained in new therapeutic markers and tasks and learn how to apply the approach to complex situations.
All workshops are experiential and provide participants with in-depth skills training through a combination of brief lectures, video demonstrations, live demonstrations, case discussions and supervised small group practice. The workshops are delivered by certified EFT trainers.
Participation
The training program is for mental health professionals (psychotherapists, psychologists, mental health counsellors, social workers, psychiatrists) who have already been trained in a therapeutic approach or for therapists in training who are in their final years of studies. Graduates of postgraduate programs in counselling or clinical psychology are also eligible to attend.
In addition, for those who are interested in becoming certified as EFT therapists it is necessary to either have:
1) License to practice as a psychologist together with a diploma in psychotherapy training or at least 4 years of clinical experience after their bachelor in psychology or
2) The European Certificate of Psychotherapy by the European Association of Psychotherapy.
Certification
Levels 1 & 2 are the didactic part of the EFT certification process.
To complete the certification process, a total of at least 60 hours of clinical practice applying the principles and interventions of EFT (empathy, emotional deepening, tasks and case formulation) with at least two clients is required. In addition, 16 hours of individual supervision and assessment of EFT skills based on two video-recorded sessions (with two different clients) using active therapeutic tasks are required. The video-taped sessions need to be accompanied by a short case formulation based on the EFT model. You can find out more about the certification criteria here.
Certification is provided by the International Society of Emotion-Focused Therapy (ISEFT).
TRAINING PROGRAM WORKSHOPS for 2025-2026
Introduction to Emotion Focused Therapy
September 25-28, 2025, in person only. Hours 10:00 - 17:30.
Module A: Advanced empathic attunement
5-6 December 2025, in person and online*. Hours 10:00 - 17:30.
Module B: Case formulation & relational difficulties
23-24 January 2025, in person and online*. Hours 10:00 - 17:30.
Module C: Focusing and reprocessing tasks
20-21 March 2025, in person and online*. Hours 10:00 - 17:30.
Module D: Chair work and compassionate self-soothing
22-23 May 2025, in person and online*. Hours 10:00 - 17:30.
* Online attendance will only be possible if enough participants are registered in order to create small practice groups. Participants will have to choose a fixed mode of attendance (face-to-face or online) and the possibility to change will be given only in extremely urgent situations that would not allow for a different mode of attendance (e.g. in case of serious illness). If the number of participants opting for online attendance exceeds 70% of the total number of participants, the level 2 seminars will be conducted entirely online.
Trainer: Agathi Lakioti Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist - Psychotherapist, certified EFT trainer by ISEFT
Cost
The cost for the complete program is 1.800 euros (the price includes VAT 24%).
There is the possibility of a 10% discount if the participant pays the total cost (final cost 1.620 euros).
Cancellation policy
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If you cancel participation 30 days or more prior to the workshop date you will be refunded the participation fee minus 25 euros for administration costs.
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If you cancel less than 30 days prior to the workshop date you will receive a credit, which you can use for a future workshop.
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If you do not notify us in advance of the workshop date you will not receive a refund or credit.
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You may transfer your registration to another individual at no extra cost. In this case, you need to notify us of the name of the person.
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The organizers reserve the right to cancel the workshop due to instructor illness, extreme weather, under - enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a workshop is cancelled, the participation fee will be refunded in full.
Registration procedure
To enroll in the Emotion-Focused Therapy specialization program, the following are required:
1) Completion of the application form
2) Send your CV to the email: info@hieft.gr.
3) Personal interview with the scientific coordinator of the program
Applications for the specialisation programme will be open until 30/6.
Interviews will be conducted during July 2025.
The opportunity to attend only level 1 or individual level 2 seminars will be offered only if there are places available. Priority will be given to those who wish to attend the integrated specialisation programme.
Applications for level one will open on July 1st.
The Institute is recognized by the International Society for Emotion Focused Therapy
(ISEFT)
