Prior to a career in the field of mental health, George spent 20 years as a NYC Firefighter and NYC Police Officer. George received his M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Iona College, where he graduated at the top of his class. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Queens College. His experience as a FDNY Peer Counselor, particularly following the events of 9/11, sparked his passion to help those impacted by trauma.
He is a certified Trainer/Supervisor/Therapist in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and founder of the New York Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy where he serves as President. He is a Supervisor with the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT) and teaches classes at the Ackerman Institute for the Family in Manhattan. He is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist currently practicing in Connecticut and New York. George is the director of training at the Greenwich Center for Hope & Renewal in Connecticut and is on the Board of the Porter Cason Institute at Tulane University in New Orleans.
George brings a unique and varied experience to his practice. Whether he is providing marriage therapy to Wall Street executives, leading a conference for the United States Military or equipping therapists from around the globe, his ability to inspire is far-reaching. George is also committed to bringing EFT to underprivileged populations and pushing the leading edge of effective therapy.
“EFFT Essentials” (equivalent to EFFT Levels 1 and 2) is a training in the EFT for Families (EFFT) path. There are also equivalent courses in EFT for Couples (EFCT) and EFT for Individuals (EFIT) paths.
Beginning in 2024, the Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) Essentials training consolidates the previous Level 1 and Level 2 trainings into a comprehensive 4-day (24hr) program. This training provides a thorough understanding of the EFFT model within an attachment science framework. Through theoretical instruction and experiential exercises, participants are guided to apply the model to families, aiding their development into proficient EFFT therapists.
This program invites participants to explore the principles and interventions of Emotionally Focused Therapy in family settings. It presents a clear framework for understanding family emotional processing and change, based on the empirically-validated EFFT model.
Participants will learn to:
The EFFT Essentials training is designed as a professional development opportunity to equip mental health professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge for effective EFFT practice. Through theoretical teachings, practical exercises, and collaborative learning, this program aims to deepen understanding and application of the EFFT model, enabling participants to positively impact the mental health and well-being of the families they serve.
ICEEFT recommends taking Fundamentals of EFT prior to this course. There are no prerequisites for EFFT Essentials.
EFFT Level 1 + EFFT Level 2 are equivalent to EFFT Essentials. Note: During 2024, EFFT Levels 1&2 will be replaced by EFFT Essentials. Unless you plan on taking EFFT Levels 1 & 2 in quick succession, we strongly recommend that therapists enroll in an EFFT Essentials course.
EFFT Consultation follows EFFT Essentials (or EFIT Level 2).
Required Readings: Emotionally Focused Family Therapy: Restoring Connection and Promoting Resilience by James L. Furrow, Gail Palmer, Susan M. Johnson, George Faller, Lisa Palmer-Olsen, 2019. Routledge offers this publication in paperback, hardcover or eBook.
Recommended Readings:
Attachment Theory in Practice: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with Individuals, Couples, and Families by Susan M. Johnson, 2019. Guildford Press.
Becoming an Emotionally Focused Therapist: The Workbook, 2nd edition, by James L. Furrow, Susan M. Johnson, Brent Bradley, Lorrie L. Brubacher, T. Leanne Campbell, Veronica Kallos-Lilly, Gail Palmer, Kathryn Rheem, Scott R. Woolley, 2022. Routledge.
This will be run in 4 x 2 day workshops led by Sandra Taylor – ICEEFT Certified EFT Trainers.
Core Skills training is completed following the Externship and is one of the requirements towards EFT certification.
Dates:
Cost: From £1300 Early Bird for all 4 modules.
Venue: online
This course is being organised by Consera Relationship Wellness, for more information go to the webpage or contact Sarah McConnell sarahmcconn@gmail.com
Click here to go to the booking form.
All BEFT members are invited and booking is via Eventbrite [click here for tickets].
We will gather together at 6 p.m. and then have two sessions:
We consider ourselves to be a group constantly learning about Neurodiversity and EFT and we invite you to explore with us as we reflect on questions such as “How might we need to adjust our EFT practice when working with Neurodiverse clients” and “What do we need to be aware of in working with Neurodiverse clients”. We’ll start with a short set of ideas about how we understand Neurodiversity and then use a reflecting team to talk through questions such as those above. We’ll then open the floor to participants and explore their questions and ideas together as a group.
Presenters: Fiona Pusey, Seerit Khan, Judy James, Tracey Williams, Sarah McConnell
How much I know me impacts how much I get to know you, and understand my impact on you.
Bring your curiosity and explore with us our unique identity in the context of the Social Graces and Intersectionality.
Starting with a short presentation, following with sharing in small groups and a brief reflection in the large group.
Presenters: Janine Murray, Sophie Parry-Williams, Sandra Taylor
Following the sessions we will have some closing time together.
The opening and closing time will be led by Michael and Kate.
All BEFT members are invited and booking is via Eventbrite [click here]. You are asked to make a donation of between £5 and £20 and all proceeds will go to the running costs of the BEFT Centre. Events such as this enable us to continue to have free membership for BEFT Centre members.
Run by Sandra Taylor and Robert Allan – ICEEFT Certified EFT Trainers
London, Great Britain
This four day course is the foundation of the training required towards becoming a Certified EFT therapist.
This will be the first Externship focused on same gender relationships and is open to all in our gender, sex/sexuality and relationship diversity.
Date: Monday 27th – Thursday 30th June 2022
Cost: Early Bird £700, Standard fee £800, some reduced fee places to widen participation are available – see website for details.
Venue: Central London
Click here to go to website for more details.
7th EFT international Summer school via ZOOM
‘It’s Never too Late’ – Love, Survival and Healing in Families and Relationships’
1-3 July – EFT-Newcomers cohort
6-9 July – EFT-Trained cohort
Happy Festive Season LUCKY DEAL – Ends Midnight 31 January!
Core Skills – London 2022
This will be run in 2 x 4 day workshops run by Helene Igwebuike and Sandra Taylor – ICEEFT Certified EFT Trainers
Core Skills training is completed following the Externship and is one of the requirements towards EFT certification.
Dates:
Cost: From £1650 Early Bird for all 4 modules.
Venue: Central London
This course is being organised by Consera Relationship Wellness, for more information go to the webpage or contact Sarah McConnell sarahmcconn@gmail.com
Click here to go to the booking form.
Transitions: Despair, Disruption and Opportunities8 October 2022
9:30am – 4:30pm
Resource for London
Click here for more information.
London, Great Britain
Date: Monday 14th – Thursday 17th November 2022
Venue: central London
Click here to go to website for more details.
This course is being organised by AcRE EFT Training Ltd. and administration is being done Sarah McConnell, email her at sarahmcconn@gmail.com
BEFT Centre is an approved affiliate of ICEEFT (International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy).