Presenters: George Faller, LMFT; Ryan Rana, PhD, LMFT — ICEEFT Certified Trainers
Format: Didactic teaching, video, experiential reflection
Session: Afternoon — May 11
Modality: EFCT
Level: Intermediate–Advanced

Cost: Included in the Summit ticket

Overview:
Defensive strategies often intensify during couples therapy, yet these moments can become pathways to vulnerability and bonding. This workshop demonstrates how EFT therapists can anticipate, validate, and pivot with defenses to support emotional engagement. Participants will learn how to transform reactivity and withdrawal into responsiveness and connection.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand defenses through an attachment lens
• Intervene in ways that honor adaptive protection while fostering vulnerability
• Strengthen attuned responsiveness to transform defensive moments into bonding opportunities