Emotionally focused therapy (EFT): what it’s like and how to find a certified EFT therapist

What EFT is

The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) describes EFT as a humanistic approach to psychotherapy that draws mainly on attachment theory. It comes in three forms:

How long EFT takes

ICEEFT says couples EFT is a short-term, structured approach of 8 to 20 sessions, mapped into three stages. It notes that family EFT often moves quickly. ICEEFT doesn’t publish a session range for individual or family EFT, so ask the therapist.

What “certified in EFT” means

ICEEFT certifies therapists separately in each form: couples, individuals or families.

• A course isn’t certification. ICEEFT says a therapist who took an EFT course can say so, but can’t say they’re certified in EFT.
• A certified EFT therapist has completed at least 40 hours of core EFT training and at least 8 hours of supervision, according to ICEEFT. For couples certification, that includes an introductory externship of 24 or more hours and a core skills training.
• Applicants also need at least three years of post-degree clinical experience, a full license in their state, and two recorded session segments for review.
• Higher levels include certified supervisors and certified trainers.

Where to find an EFT therapist

ICEEFT’s Find a Therapist directory (directory.iceeft.com) lists therapists who’ve completed at least an EFT externship. You can search by state, city or ZIP code and filter by online or in-person sessions, language, faith and form of EFT. ICEEFT says it doesn’t verify therapists’ licenses or credentials and encourages users to check with licensing boards, so check the license yourself. Our fit guide explains how.

Regional EFT groups. ICEEFT lists local EFT communities and centres, which can point you to trained therapists nearby:

Hold Me Tight workshops. ICEEFT also runs Hold Me Tight, a two-day educational workshop for couples based on EFT. It isn’t therapy. Check ICEEFT’s events page for dates.

Questions to ask an EFT therapist

ICEEFT doesn’t publish a list for clients, so here are practical ones:

• “Are you ICEEFT certified, and in which form: couples, individuals or families?”
• “If you aren’t certified yet, where are you in training, and do you have an EFT supervisor?”
• “How many sessions do you usually expect?”
• “Do you see couples online?”

For couples therapy in general, including when it isn’t safe, see our couples counseling guide.

Cost and format

ICEEFT says to contact individual therapists about insurance and fees. EFT is offered in person and online. Insurance often doesn’t cover couples therapy focused on the relationship itself; our insurance guide explains why, and our EAP guide covers free sessions that sometimes include couples.

Finding EFT therapists on LunahUP

LunahUP doesn’t have an EFT filter yet. Marriage and family therapists are the largest group trained for couples work; as of November 4, 2026, LunahUP lists 1,070 in Tennessee. Search your city by provider type, then check ICEEFT’s directory for each therapist’s EFT training.

The short version

• EFT is an attachment-based therapy for couples, individuals and families.
• Couples EFT usually takes 8 to 20 sessions in three stages.
• A course isn’t certification. Certified EFT therapists have at least 40 hours of core training plus supervision.
• ICEEFT’s directory lists trained therapists but doesn’t verify licenses.
• Each of our four states has an ICEEFT regional EFT group.