Training | Ohio EFT

4-Day Externship in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy with Dr. James Hawkins

4 Day EFT Externship Training

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 8:30am - 5pm

Thursday, August 6, 2026 9:00am - 5pm

Friday, August 7, 2026 9:00am - 5pm

Saturday, August 8, 2026 9:00am - 5pm

Location: The Ohio State University - Hamilton Hall

1645 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210

About This Workshop.

An Externship in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy® is an immersive four-day training experience foundational for therapists aiming to specialize in EFCT. This Externship has been created for therapists who want to learn how to counsel their couple clients. Led by certified trainers, it offers a comprehensive introduction to the EFCT model, focusing on the science of attachment and the systematic approach to couple therapy. This training is crucial for therapists because it equips them with the necessary skills to foster secure, resilient relationships in therapy. It’s the first step in formal EFCT training, opening the door to advanced practice and certification and enhancing therapists’ efficacy and confidence in their clinical work with couples.

This training is open to Psychologists, Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Professional Counselors, Mental Health Counselors, and second year graduate students studying in one of these licensure track professions. EFT Externship is a beginners level course and is the first step towards certification in EFT.

EFT trainings are designed for mental health professionals, therapists, counsellors and trainees. Prospective attendees are required to declare their professional designation upon registration.

Objectives

Agenda

F.A.Q.

Are there any prerequisites?

There are no prerequisites for an EFCT Externship. ICEEFT recommends taking Fundamentals of EFT before this course. EFCT Core Skills follows an Externship.

What is the cost?

Early Bird Rate (Before May 1st, 2026) - $995

Regular Rate (After May 1 2025) - $1195

Student Scholarship Rate $750

Repeat Attendee Rate $800

Diversity Scholarship applications are available. Email wendy@infinitetransformationscounsling.com for more information.

What are the cancelation & refund policies?

A $100 administrative fee will be charged for all cancellations. Refunds for course fees (minus the $100.00 administrative fee) will be issued for requests made up to 60 days prior to the start date of the course (June 6, 2026). Cancellation requests made up to 45 days prior to the start date of the course (June 21, 2026) will be offered a 50% refund (minus a $100.00 administrative fee). No refunds will be offered within 44 days from the start date of the course. For questions or concerns, contact christie@marriedlifecounseling.com

Are CE credits available?

26 Continuing Education credits are available for this event for an additional fee. Must be present to receive CEs. Credits are provided through National Marriage Seminars of America.

Satisfactory Completion

Participants must have paid registration fees, signed in, attended the entire seminar, and signed out in order to receive a certificate. Failure to sign in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available.

National Marriage Seminars of America is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. National Marriage Seminars of America maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Counselors/Marriage and Family Therapists/Mental Health Counselors Nearly all Professional Counselors, MFT & Mental Health Counselors, and LCSW (in some states) boards accept APA. Check with your board to be sure.

Please note: Licensing Boards occasionally change their regulations. We attempt to stay on top of the most recent changes. If you have questions about a course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly for a definitive answer.

To maintain our integrity as a business, we believe that NMSOA CE must embody the qualities of the presenters. We believe in creating a CE environment that enhances clinical growth. We pursue this goal by creating a learning environment that allows for flexible learning schedules along with quality presentations at an affordable cost.

Please note: Discount coupons do not apply to CE purchases.

Meet the Trainer

Trainer for the 4 day EFT Externship

EFT Trainer

Dr. James Hawkins

Dr. James Hawkins, Ph.D., LPC—also known as Doc Hawk—is a Licensed Counselor with over 12 years of experience and a certified trainer, supervisor, and therapist with the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT). He holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling and a Ph.D. in Psychology and Counseling.
Dr. Hawkins serves as Clinical Coordinator at a non-profit counseling practice in Northwest Arkansas, where he specializes in helping individuals, couples, and families navigate relational distress. He is also the founder of Healing Conversations, a training initiative designed to equip organizations and communities to engage in productive conversations about race.
An active voice in the therapy community, James co-hosts two podcasts: The Leading Edge in Emotionally Focused Therapy and The Leading Edge: Transforming Leadership Through Attachment Science. He is a faculty member of Success in Vulnerability, an online training program that supports EFT therapists and supervisors in deepening their clinical practice.
Known for his warmth, expertise, and passion, Doc Hawk is dedicated to promoting emotional and relational health in both clinical and community settings. He lives in Northwest Arkansas with his wife, Nicola, and their five daughters.