Holding Hearts: Applying Emotionally Focused Therapy to Couples and Individuals in Relationship Distress – A Workshop for New Couples Therapists
April 17 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Holding Hearts: Applying Emotionally Focused Therapy to Couples and Individuals in Relationship Distress – A Workshop for New Couples Therapists
Friday, April 17, 2026
Registration 8:30am Program 9am to 12pm
Presented By: Erica Liebman, Psy.D., MA, MEd
Location: Online Workshop
***Deadline to register is April 15, 2026 at 9am***
3 CE Credits
This workshop invites therapists who want to deepen their understanding of relationships, whether by working directly with couples or by applying couple theory to individual therapy. Together, we’ll survey the most used approaches such as the Gottman Method and psychoanalytic perspectives, with a major focus on Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). Participants will learn the reasoning behind EFT, the key “tango moves” of Stage 1, and practical concepts that can be used right away when new to couple work. We’ll also consider how couple therapy frameworks can illuminate and support work with individuals experiencing relationship distress.
Objectives:
1.Describe at least two types of the major couple therapy theories
2.Explain how attachment theory underlies Emotion Focused Therapy
3.Understand the basic stage 1 tango moves to utilize throughout a couple therapy session
4.Apply at least two couple therapy interventions to an individual therapy case
Dr. Erica Liebman is a clinical psychologist based in Center City, Philadelphia, where she leads The Therapy Practice Philly. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her doctorate from Widener University. In addition to her private practice, Dr. Liebman conducts psychological assessments for veterans.
She has particular expertise in men’s mental health, serving on the board of APA Division 51: Men and Masculinities, where she contributes to initiatives that raise awareness and expand training opportunities in graduate programs.
Alongside her advocacy for men, Dr. Liebman works extensively with couples. She has completed both the Core Skills training and Externship at the Philadelphia Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy (PCEFT) and integrates Gottman Level 1 techniques with a psychoanalytic couple framework to help partners reconnect and deepen emotional intimacy in their relationships.
PSCP: The Psychology Network is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PSCP: The Psychology network maintains responsibility for this program and its content.