*Note: If we do not reach a minimum number of registrants by December 1st, we will change this training to a virtual platform. You will be notified in advance.

Location & Dates

3120 Fairview Park Drive
Falls Church, VA 20191

Dates & Times:
January 15, 2026   9am - 6pm EST
January 16, 2026   9am - 2pm EST

Please email [email protected] to apply for equity scholarships.

Continuing Education Units: Click Here
CEUs have been approved for all disciplines. If you purchase CEUs, your CEU certificate will be mailed to you approximately 6-8 weeks after the completion of the training series. CEUs are purchased and managed directly through TRIEFT - [email protected].

Broken Bonds

Healing Relationship Betrayals with Emotionally Focused Therapy

About Our Program:

A frequent presenting problem in couples therapy is some form of relationship betrayal: sexual, emotional, financial or other serious deceptions and the broken bonds resulting from the fractured trust. Even experienced therapists can feel overwhelmed guiding the bumpy process from crisis to repair.

This workshop addresses the core stages of betrayal recovery using the Attachment Injury Resolution Model (AIRM) to help couples work through the injury of a betrayal using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).

The format provides opportunity for moment-to-moment discussion of the therapy process in betrayal repair, as well as clarity in clinical decision-making. There will be ample time for video demonstrations illustrating key moments in the process of Attachment Injury Resolution and therapist practices necessary for restoring safety, developing a coherent narrative for the betrayal event, and renewing intimate bonds.

Key Points:

  • Conceptualize issues related to breach of trust as a type of "attachment injury" where a fundamental rupture of trust inhibits one or both partner's ability to move forward in this relationship.
  • Provide practical direction in treating relational betrayals and the clinical management of highly reactive couples.
  • Review the steps and stages of EFT as an empirically supported approach with a particular focus on recovery from relational betrayal.
  • Examine key moments in the change process of resolving attachment injuries through video case demonstration, live consultation and discussion.

Cancellation Policy:

You may cancel your registration anytime before December 15, 2025, a nonrefundable fee of $75 will be withheld from your refund for processing and administrative fees. Any cancellations after December 15, 2025 will incur a $150 nonrefundable fee. Email [email protected] to cancel and request a refund.


Trainers

Lisa Palmer-Olsen & Jim Furrow

Dr. Lisa J Palmer-Olsen

Dr. Lisa J. Palmer-Olsen, Psy.D. is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in San Diego, California for over twenty years. She is also a Certified International Emotionally Focused Therapy Trainer and AAMFT approved Supervisor. Dr. Palmer-Olsen’s primary clinical and research interests are in the area of family systems and high conflict couple work, specifically with clients dealing with trauma and attachment related injuries. As a founder and Co-Director for Renova San Diego Inc, a non-profit 501(c)(3) based out of San Diego, she is committed to providing quality San Diego services accessible to all who seek it. Dr. Palmer-Olsen is passionate about providing affordable, high caliber training to mental health clinicians around the world. Dr. Palmer-Olsen completed her dissertation research on how to train and teach Emotionally Focused Therapy to professionals. Lisa was trained directly by the founder of the EFT model Dr. Susan Johnson.

Jim Furrow

James Furrow, Ph.D., is leader and contributor to the practice of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with couples and families. Together with EFT originator, Dr. Susan Johnson, Jim co-authored Emotionally Focused Family Therapy; Becoming an EFT Therapist: The Workbook and The EFT Casebook. He is also co-authored Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy for Dummies, a practical resource for couples and therapists seeking an everyday understanding of EFT principles and practices. Formerly Jim served as the Evelyn and Frank Freed Professor of Marital and Family Therapy at Fuller Graduate School of Psychology, where he trained psychologists and marital and family and conducted research on adolescent risk and resilience. He is a clinical fellow and an approved supervisor of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, a member of the National Council on Family Relations, and a Certified Family Life Educator. He co-founded the Los Angeles Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy, where he served as Executive Director before relocating to the Seattle area. Jim is an ICEEFT certified EFT therapist, supervisor, and trainer.