Credit Available - See Credits tab below.
Total Credits: 1.0 including 1.0 A.P.A.
Description:
Each faculty member will present basic principles for their model to help the audience understand the strengths of the model: EFT and PACT.
The essential features of EFT- a client centered alliance, a focus on emotion regulation and balance, the creation of self and system change, and the key interventions and corrective moments that have been shown to lead to predictable lasting change in love.
PACT was developed out of exciting, cutting-edge research in three areas: developmental neuroscience, biology of human arousal, and attachment theory. PACT focuses strongly on moment-to-moment shifts in the face, body, and voice, and asks partners to pay close attention to these while they interact. The goal is secure functioning.
Educational Objectives:
*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*
Outline:
Introduction to EFT and Personal Anecdotes
Speaker 2 introduces herself at the Milton H. Erickson Foundation’s couples conference.
Shares a humorous story about a couple mistaking EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) for “tapping” therapy.
Her son jokes EFT means “Extremely Funny Therapy” and avoids psychology.
Will present without slides, focusing on EFT’s conversational style.
Influences of Carl Rogers and Salvador Minuchin
EFT blends Carl Rogers’ emphasis on inner experience with Minuchin’s systemic, feedback-focused work.
Rogers: Help people order and express inner feelings.
Minuchin: Observe relationship dynamics and patterns.
Adds Bowlby’s attachment theory as the emotional backbone.
John Bowlby's Framework and Emotional Isolation
Bowlby: Attachment is a survival system; love keeps us close and safe.
Emotional isolation is a major threat to mental health.
Loneliness is rising and poses a public health concern.
Therapy should foster bonding and connection.
EFT's Focus on Corrective Emotional Experiences
EFT changes couples through emotional—not cognitive—experiences.
Emotional safety and secure attachment are core.
Attachment science gives a roadmap for working with couples.
Goal: Help partners feel secure and bonded.
The Role of Emotion in EFT
EFT works actively with emotion to shift relational dynamics.
Helps couples stop negative cycles and reconnect.
Key question in bonding conversations: “Are you there for me?”
The EFT Tango and Systematic Interventions
EFT is like tango dancing—attuned, improvisational, emotional.
Requires therapist presence and responsiveness.
EFT follows a clear, systematic model.
Training is available through externships and online resources.
The Importance of Safety and Alliance in Therapy
Therapist must create a safe, emotionally supportive space.
Focus on co-regulation: partners become each other’s resource.
New language around dependency is encouraged.
Stan Tatkin's Introduction and Agreement with Sue Johnson
Stan Tatkin agrees with Sue Johnson and adds his own insights.
Draws from Virginia Satir and stresses “radical loyalty” in couples.
Couples need principles to prevent harm in their interactions.
The Concept of Secure Functioning in PACT
Tatkin’s PACT approach emphasizes “secure functioning” (mutual safety/fairness), not just secure attachment.
Builds on arousal regulation, interactive regulation, and developmental neuroscience.
Uses psychodramatic and strategic interventions in sessions.
The Role of Social Justice in Therapy
Emphasizes fairness, justice, and equality in relationships.
Micro expressions and body cues offer emotional insight.
Focus on creating experiences rather than giving interpretations.
The Polytheoretical Approach of PACT
PACT draws from multiple disciplines: neurobiology, attachment, developmental psychology.
Studying infant attachment helps inform adult dynamics.
Reiterates the importance of fairness and co-regulation in therapy.
1.0 credits available.
The Milton H. Erickson Foundation, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Milton H. Erickson Foundation, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
THE MILTON H. ERICKSON FOUNDATION Policy on Disclosure
The Milton H. Erickson Foundation is proud of the conferences and other
educational opportunities it sponsors, taking care that the conduct of
these activities conforms to the standards and principles of behavioral
and medical sciences, thus ensuring balance, independence, objectivity
and scientific rigor in all individually sponsored or jointly sponsored educational
activities.
All faculty members participating in a sponsored activity, and those who
review and therefore are in control of content, are requested to disclose
any relevant financial relationship prior to the CME activity, including but
not limited to specific commercial interests, financial remuneration received
by faculty member or spouse, and what role or activity was performed
for this remuneration. If a conflict of interest exists as a result of
a financial relationship it will be resolved prior to the activity. A faculty
member will not be allowed to present if the conflict is not or cannot be
resolved.
Sue Johnson - EFT with Couples (2.8 MB) | Available after Purchase |
Sue Johnson - Attachment (183.1 KB) | Available after Purchase |
Stan Tatkin - Neuroscience Behind Doing the Right Thing (740.3 KB) | Available after Purchase |
Stan Tatkin - 2 Theories (530 KB) | Available after Purchase |
Stan Tatkin - PACT and Personality Disorders (676.2 KB) | Available after Purchase |
Stan Tatkin - PACT Intro 1 (887.3 KB) | Available after Purchase |
Stan Tatkin - PACT Intro 2 (730.3 KB) | Available after Purchase |
Dr. Sue Johnson is an author, clinical psychologist, researcher, professor, popular presenter and speaker and a leading innovator in the field of couple therapy and adult attachment. Sue is the primary developer of Emotionally Focused Couples and Family Therapy (EFT), which has demonstrated its effectiveness in over 30 years of peer-reviewed clinical research.
Sue Johnson is founding Director of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy and Distinguished Research Professor at Alliant University in San Diego, California, as well as Professor Emeritus, Clinical Psychology, at the University of Ottawa, Canada.
Stan Tatkin, PsyD, MFT, is a clinician, researcher, teacher, and developer of A Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT®). He has a clinical practice in Calabasas, CA, where he has specialized for the last 15 years in working with couples and individuals who wish to be in relationships. He and his wife, Tracey Boldemann-Tatkin, developed the PACT Institute for the purpose of training other psychotherapists to use this method in their clinical practice.