Fellowship in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT)
The EFCT Certification Fellowship at the PSM Center for Relationships is designed for licensed therapists who are already in practice and want to deepen their EFCT skills while working toward ICEEFT Certified Therapist status. Fellows continue to see couples in their own practice throughout the year, bringing that clinical work into supervision as the foundation of their training experience.
The fellowship provides individual supervision with tape review, twice monthly group supervision with a cohort of fellow clinicians, and optional didactic training. The focus is on developing real depth in the EFCT model — not just meeting certification requirements, but becoming a more skilled, confident couple therapist. Fellows who complete the program will have fulfilled the supervision requirements to apply for ICEEFT EFCT Therapist Certification.
About PSM
Psychology Specialists of Maine (PSM) is a private outpatient group practice providing behavioral healthcare for adults. Our team of psychologists provides postdoctoral clinical supervision and therapy for adult individuals, couples, and groups. Our psychologists are skilled scientist-practitioners with experience as clinicians, supervisors, and scholars in broad areas of specialization. Our offices are located in Brunswick, Portland, and Bangor.
Mission
Our mission is to learn, grow, and inspire others to believe in themselves and to live to their fullest potential.
Vision
We serve to foster the infinite potential and greatness in each and every team member, trainee, and client. We aim to promote mental health and well-being by emphasizing individual strengths, empowerment, and the centrality of relationships.
Values
Everyone has strengths of great value. We do hard things because challenges lead to growth and change. We all need to be seen, valued, and experience belonging in order to thrive. Connected, secure relationships are central to our well-being.
EFCT Fellowship Training Program
Goals and Objectives of the Fellowship Program
Deepen fellows’ clinical skill in EFCT, with particular attention to Stage 1 and Stage 2 interventions and the EFT Tango
Provide high-quality, individually tailored supervision using evidence-based approaches that support professional growth
Fellows will participate as facilitators of bi-annual Hold Me Tight workshops, as well as other workshops and groups, to gain expertise in psychoeducation and dissemination of information to the public.
Support fellows in identifying and preparing certification-quality video submissions through ongoing tape review
Build community among clinicians at a similar stage of EFCT development through group supervision and peer consultation
Prepare fellows to apply for ICEEFT EFCT Therapist Certification upon completion of the program.
Position Details
Our 12-month EFCT Fellowship position begins the Tuesday after Labor Day.
Individual Supervision (8 sessions)
Fellows participate in 8 individual supervision sessions over the course of the year, each one hour in length. Supervision is conducted by Andrea Medaris, PsyD, a certified EFCT Supervisor. Sessions center on video review of the fellow’s own clinical work and address both skill deepening and certification tape selection and preparation. Individual supervision will be conducted via telehealth.
Group Supervision (twice monthly)
Fellows participate in biweekly group supervision with their cohort. Group supervision provides an opportunity to present clinical work, receive feedback, and learn from colleagues’ cases. Hours during which a fellow is presenting their own work count toward the ICEEFT individual supervision requirement (up to 4 hours).
Optional Didactics
Monthly topic-focused sessions are offered throughout the year on clinical themes relevant to EFCT practice, such as Stage 2 deepening, working with specific attachment presentations, enactments, and related topics. Didactic sessions are optional and offered as a supplement to supervision.
A Note on Certification
Completing the fellowship fulfills the supervision hour requirements to apply for ICEEFT EFCT Therapist Certification. However, certification itself is not guaranteed by program completion. Eligibility to submit a certification application depends on the fellow having obtained suitable certification tapes during the training year and on the supervisor’s clinical assessment of readiness. The fellowship supervisor, as the certifying supervisor, makes this determination on an individual basis.
Fellows are encouraged to complete ICEEFT Core Skills Training prior to or concurrently with the fellowship, so that all certification requirements are met by the end of the training year.
Applicant Qualifications
Applicants must be fully licensed mental health professionals (psychologist, LCSW, LCPC, LMFT, or equivalent) who are currently seeing couples in their independent practice. To be eligible, applicants must have completed an ICEEFT Externship prior to beginning the fellowship. Fellows are also strongly encouraged to complete Core Skills I and II either prior to the fellowship or concurrently with it.
Ideal candidates will have a strong desire to develop depth in the EFCT model, a capacity for self-reflection, and an active couples caseload that will support meaningful supervision work throughout the year. Fellows maintain their own client records, carry their own malpractice insurance, and are responsible for all aspects of their independent clinical practice.
Fee
The program fee is $2,400 for the full year, which includes 8 individual supervision sessions, 24 group supervision sessions, and participation in 2 weekend Hold Me Tight workshops. It also allows access to optional didactics. Fellows may receive up to 48 Continuing Eduction credits for didactics and workshops over the year.