Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Meets Sex Therapy Through The Attachment Lens (4.5 CE Hours)
$200.00
Presented by: Mike Moran, PhD, LCSW, CST-S and Kimberly Castelo, PhD, LMFT-S, CST-S
4.5 CE Hours
Distance Learning – Recorded workshop available via video on demand
AASECT Category: Sex Therapy, Section C.
Description
This 4-hour course, Using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with Clients and Understanding its Theory, introduces clinicians to the foundational principles and practical applications of EFT. Drawing from Dr. Sue Johnson’s model, the course explores how EFT provides a non-pathologizing, experiential, and humanistic approach to working with individuals and couples. Participants will learn to see the “cycle” as the problem, not the partners, and discover how EFT can transform reactive patterns into moments of connection.
Through a combination of lecture, case examples, and interactive discussion, participants will examine the three stages and nine steps of EFT, including alliance-building, cycle de-escalation, withdrawer re-engagement, blamer softening, and consolidation. Special attention is given to consent, validation, and enactments as interventions, as well as the EFT Tango — the step-by-step process of deepening emotional experience.
Attendees will leave with a framework for conceptualizing client struggles through an attachment lens, strategies for mapping negative cycles, and skills for facilitating new emotional experiences in session. This course is ideal for therapists seeking a clear, structured, yet compassionate way to help clients foster secure attachment bonds and co-regulation in their relationships.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Describe the three stages and nine steps of EFT.
- Identify negative interactional cycles and externalize them as the problem.
- Apply RISSSC and validation to access underlying emotions.
- Facilitate enactments and softening moments using the EFT Tango.
- Recognize indicators that a couple is ready to move to Stage 2.
Activity Schedule
Hour 1: Introduction, EFT theory, humanistic framework, attachment lens
Hour 2: Stage 1 – Assessment & Cycle De-escalation, mapping cycles, validation practice
Hour 3: Stage 2 – Withdrawer Re-engagement & Blamer Softening, EFT Tango interventions
Hour 4: Stage 3 – Consolidation, troubleshooting stuck points, Q&A, integration exercises
Speaker Bios
Michael Moran, PhD, LCSW, CST-S is the Founder and Director of The Center for Relational Fulfillment in New York, NY where he specializes at the intersection of relational and sexual challenges. He is a Certified Emotionally Focused Couple Therapist (EFT) & Supervisor as well as an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor. He was Sr. Faculty in the Sex Therapy division at The Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy (ICP), has taught graduate courses in Marriage and Family therapy and LGBTQ Issues in Contemporary Society at Rutgers University and was interviewed by Esther Perel on her “Sessions” platform on the integration of EFT and sex therapy. Additionally, he is currently a PhD candidate in Clinical Sexology at Modern Sex Therapy Institute. Mike presents internationally training therapists to effectively address sexual issues in couples therapy and gives workshops to couples geared to generate greater relational and erotic satisfaction. His website is www.fulfilledcouples.com.
Dr. Kimberly Castelo specializes in sex and attachment. Dr. Castelo is certified and is a supervisor in all the EFT modalities and as a Sex Therapist. She brings a wealth of experience, practical interventions and invaluable information about the power of attachment in sex therapy. Over the years she has heard sex therapists say – “I love attachment, but I am not sure how it fits into sex therapy” OR “I love attachment work, but not sure how to bring up sex!” Attachment theory joined with sex therapy can foster the secondary change we are hoping occurs with our clients regardless of their presenting concern! Kimberly will help you learn and thrive as you become a Certified Sex Attachment Therapist (CAST). Let’s begin to learn to hear the heart (attachment longing) of our clients.
Class originally recorded: 1/1/2026
Social workers completing this course receive 4.5 clinical continuing education credits.
MSTI is an approved CE organizational provider for IBOSP, AASECT, and ASWB. Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is part of the Advanced Mental Health Training Institute. The Advanced Mental Health Training Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No.6901. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Advanced Mental Health Training Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
MSTI is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for Psychologists. The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (MSTI), provider #1787, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: [1/7/22-1/7/26].
Attendees must attend the entire course and complete a course evaluation to be eligible for CE credit
For Live Courses: To obtain CE credits, attendees must attend the entire course and complete an evaluation to receive credit.
For asynchronous/recorded courses, Attendees must pass the multiple choice posttest with a minimum score of 80% in 3 attempts to be eligible for CE credit.
Certificates of completion can be downloaded immediately upon course completion.