From Grief to Connection: Integrating EFIT Processing into EFT Couples Work

Presentation Title

From Grief to Connection: Integrating EFIT Processing into EFT Couples Work

• Topic: Grief work, emotional deepening, and the integration of individual work within couple therapy
• Format: Experiential and practical, with clinical video demonstration and interactive discussion

CEUs
Certificate of Attendance: 3 hours
**Counts towards CEUs for AzBBHE.**

Abstract

This workshop brings together two central EFT themes: the power of emotionally focused individual work within couple sessions, and the healing journey of grief.

We will explore how focusing on one partner’s emotional process—even when the content is not explicitly relational—can lead to renewed connection within the couple. Drawing from a single clinical session, we will follow the therapist's use of grief work to facilitate emotional deepening and relational movement.

The workshop begins with a brief theoretical overview of EFT approaches to grief and emotional blocks. It then transitions into a clinically grounded learning experience through guided viewing of three video segments from one couple therapy session:

1. Supporting a client struggling to access grief and overwhelmed by anxiety
2. The turning point—touching the core pain and reconnecting with the lost loved one
3. Re-integrating the individual work into the couple frame, leading to a powerful moment of partner responsiveness and healing

This format allows participants to learn by observing real-time interventions and clinical reflections. Practice, and participate actively in a Q&A discussion.

Designed for both beginning and experienced EFT therapists, the workshop offers hands-on tools for grief work, emotional deepening, and navigating common therapeutic blocks in emotionally charged processes.

This workshop was delivered with great success at the EFT conference in Israel, and ideas from it were also presented on The Leading Edge podcast (Episode 118) hosted by James Hawkins and Ryan Rana.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Describe how emotionally focused individual work can be integrated into EFT couple sessions
2. Apply EFT interventions for grief work, including accessing emotion and reconnecting with the lost attachment figure
3. Identify and address emotional blocks (e.g., anxiety, numbness) that often arise in grief processing

Content Level

Beginner to Advanced

Presenter Bio

Dr. Tal Padeh is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified EFT therapist, supervisor, and trainer. She is a founding member and current leader of the EFT Israel Center. Dr. Padeh brings extensive experience in individual, couple, and family therapy, helping clients strengthen emotional bonds and resolve relational challenges. She teaches EFT, supervises therapists, and leads national professional initiatives. Her full-time practice is based in Jerusalem and online. In addition to EFT, she has training in AEDP, Schema Therapy, and psychoanalytic approaches. Dr. Padeh has led projects expanding EFT into trauma work and public mental health.