1st Edition

Workouts for Stepping into Emotionally Focused Therapy Exercises to Strengthen Your Practice

By Lorrie L. Brubacher Copyright 2025
    238 Pages
    by Routledge

    238 Pages
    by Routledge

    Workouts for Stepping into Emotionally Focused Therapy is a companion to Stepping into Emotionally Focused Therapy: Key Ingredients of Change (2nd ed.). Inspired by Deliberate Practice, it is filled with exercises called workouts first with couples (EFCT), followed by a series of workouts in that same skill or move with individuals (EFIT).

    The workouts are more than skill-drills. They are clear, tangible ways for the reader-practitioner to become emotionally engaged within self and in attunement with each client scenario and to strengthen their EFT muscles with the practice of each of these EFT ingredients of change. Part 1 includes workouts of ten micro-skills across a wide range of client scenarios, including diversity of racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, religious, neurodiversity, and other contextual diversity. Workouts with the five moves of the EFT Tango, from beginning of therapy to the completion of Stage 2 change, first with a couple and then with an individual, make up Part 2. The reader-practitioner has opportunity in Part 3 to apply the macro-intervention to Stages 1 and 2 change in their own lives, to explore barriers to following and deepening emotions, and to utilize a series of antidotes for typical EFT therapist challenges and goal-setting.

    Containing practical handles for the new clinician or graduate student wanting to integrate EFT into their practice, it is also stimulating and relevant for seasoned therapists and counselors seeking to sharpen EFT skills and develop confidence in the model with both couples and individuals.

    Introduction

    Part 1 EFT Micro-Skill Workouts

    Part 2 EFT Tango Workouts

    Part 2.1 Introducing the EFT Tango with Case Examples

    Part 2.2 EFCT Tango Workouts with Mei Ling and Aki

    Part 2.3 EFIT Tango Workouts with Samir

    Part 3 Self-of-the-Therapist Workouts

    Part 3.1 Journaling Workouts with the EFT Tango

    Part 3.2 Reflection Workouts on Lingering with and Following Emotion

    Part 3.3 Workout to Set Leaning Goals: Antidotes to Common EFT Challenges

    Biography

    Lorrie L. Brubacher, MEd, Director of the Carolina Center for EFT, adjunct at UNCG, Greensboro, NC, has authored many EFT training videos, articles, and chapters. She trains in EFT internationally.

     “Workouts for Stepping into Emotionally Focused Therapy: Exercises to Strengthen Your Practice is the guide for clinicians practicing EFT. Brubacher is a gifted writer who beautifully details the most relevant micro and macro skills while prioritizing culture and context. Each workout broadens and builds, bringing EFT to life in the reader’s own words. A remarkably unique resource for every EFT therapist!” 

    Kathryn Rheem, Ed.D., LMFT, EFT Trainer, co-founder of the EFT Café, co-director of WBCEFT, co-author The Emotionally Focused Therapy Workbook for Relationship Loss: Healing Heartbreak Session by Session

     

    "In this excellent new book, Brubacher provides Micro-Skill Workouts for mastering key skills in EFT. The text is clear, well-organized, accessible, and highly effective. Very highly recommended for both EFT trainees and certified therapists who wish to take their EFCT and EFIT skills to a new level!” 

    Dr Tony Rousmaniere, Program Director, Sentio University Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Author/Editor, Essentials of Deliberate Practice APA Book Series, President-elect, Division 29 of the American Psychological Association (Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy)

     

    "In Workouts for Stepping into EFT, Lorrie Brubacher helps therapists, from apprentices to the most experienced, learn all the nuances of applying EFT to both individual and couple therapy. With her gentle guidance, the reader is invited to focus on the core micro and macro interventions of EFT. As they further develop their understanding of each intervention’s purpose, they can practice applying it and draw inspiration from Emily - a fictive therapist - to help them expand their repertoire, discover and solidify their strengths, and integrate the model conceptually and experientially - so they can find their own voice as EFT therapists. This book is a must-have for anyone wanting to master the art of EFT.”

    Dr Caroline Gasparetto, Certified EFT Therapist and Supervisor, Co-Founder of EFT Québec – collective winners of the ICEEFT North American John Douglas Award for 2023, for significant contributions to the growth of EFT, Lecturer at Université de Sherbrooke