EVENT REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Sign up for our email newsletter so you get notified about all of our events.
Sign up for our email newsletter so you get notified about all of our events.
Identifying Abuse Dynamics in Individual and Couple Therapy: Clinical Detection, Ethical Decision-Making, and Attachment-Informed Intervention
DATE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th & FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18th, 2026
TIME
4:00PM - 6:30 PM Eastern Time (U.S. & CAN)
1:00PM - 3:30PM Pacific Time (U.S. & CAN)
LOCATION
LIVE ONLINE VIA ZOOM
This training will be recorded and available for 30 days review to registered participants!
MEET THE PRESENTERS
DATE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th & FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18th, 2026
TIME
4:00PM - 6:30 PM Eastern Time (U.S. & CAN)
1:00PM - 3:30PM Pacific Time (U.S. & CAN)
LOCATION
LIVE ONLINE VIA ZOOM
This training will be recorded and available for 30 days review to registered participants!
MEET THE PRESENTERS
Dr. Katie Kjelsaas, Clinical Psychologist, ICEEFT Certified EFT Supervisor
Dr. Katie is an Australia-based Clinical Psychologist, ICEEFT Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist and Supervisor, and AHPRA-approved Clinical Supervisor dedicated to helping individuals and therapists create deeper, more meaningful connections in their lives and work. Known for her warm, insightful, and grounded approach, she combines clinical expertise with practical guidance to support lasting personal and professional growth. Drawing from attachment science, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and years of clinical experience, Dr. Katie provides supervision and training that help therapists strengthen their confidence, sharpen their clinical skills, and develop sustainable, values-aligned practices. Her work is process-oriented, relational, and deeply attuned to the realities of modern therapeutic practice, integrating clinical excellence with authenticity, purpose, and professional sustainability. Whether supporting therapists in the early stages of practice, refining advanced relational skills, or navigating the complexities of private practice and professional identity, Dr. Katie offers individual supervision, group consultation, and training experiences designed to foster clarity, competence, and meaningful growth.
Dr. Katie is an Australia-based Clinical Psychologist, ICEEFT Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist and Supervisor, and AHPRA-approved Clinical Supervisor dedicated to helping individuals and therapists create deeper, more meaningful connections in their lives and work. Known for her warm, insightful, and grounded approach, she combines clinical expertise with practical guidance to support lasting personal and professional growth. Drawing from attachment science, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and years of clinical experience, Dr. Katie provides supervision and training that help therapists strengthen their confidence, sharpen their clinical skills, and develop sustainable, values-aligned practices. Her work is process-oriented, relational, and deeply attuned to the realities of modern therapeutic practice, integrating clinical excellence with authenticity, purpose, and professional sustainability. Whether supporting therapists in the early stages of practice, refining advanced relational skills, or navigating the complexities of private practice and professional identity, Dr. Katie offers individual supervision, group consultation, and training experiences designed to foster clarity, competence, and meaningful growth.
Krasi Kirova, Clinical Psychologist, IPV Expert
Krasi is an Australia-based Clinical Psychologist with extensive expertise in family violence, coercive control, complex trauma, and post-separation abuse. She has worked across diverse clinical settings, including private practice, university health services, and psychiatric inpatient programs, where she co-facilitated trauma recovery groups supporting individuals with complex mental health and trauma presentations.
Deeply committed to empowering women impacted by emotional and psychological abuse, Krasi specializes in helping clients recognize and recover from coercive and controlling relationship dynamics. She also facilitates psychoeducational workshops for women navigating emotional abuse and post-separation challenges, offering practical insight, validation, and trauma-informed support. In addition to her clinical work, Krasi is a sought-after speaker and regularly appears on The Divorce Course Podcast, where she shares expert perspectives on emotional abuse, coercive control, and recovery after abusive relationships. Krasi holds an Honours degree from The University of Auckland and a Master’s degree in Psychology (Counselling) from Monash University.
Krasi is an Australia-based Clinical Psychologist with extensive expertise in family violence, coercive control, complex trauma, and post-separation abuse. She has worked across diverse clinical settings, including private practice, university health services, and psychiatric inpatient programs, where she co-facilitated trauma recovery groups supporting individuals with complex mental health and trauma presentations.
Deeply committed to empowering women impacted by emotional and psychological abuse, Krasi specializes in helping clients recognize and recover from coercive and controlling relationship dynamics. She also facilitates psychoeducational workshops for women navigating emotional abuse and post-separation challenges, offering practical insight, validation, and trauma-informed support. In addition to her clinical work, Krasi is a sought-after speaker and regularly appears on The Divorce Course Podcast, where she shares expert perspectives on emotional abuse, coercive control, and recovery after abusive relationships. Krasi holds an Honours degree from The University of Auckland and a Master’s degree in Psychology (Counselling) from Monash University.
DESCRIPTION
Emotional and psychological abuse often unfolds in ways that are subtle, complex, and easily misinterpreted within clinical settings particularly when viewed solely through an attachment or relational lens. This advanced training helps therapists accurately recognize abuse dynamics that may be obscured by presenting concerns such as conflict, disconnection, or distress, especially when clients have not explicitly disclosed harm.
Participants will develop a clear, clinically grounded understanding of emotional and psychological abuse, including how it presents in both individual and couple therapy. This workshop highlights commonly missed indicators and explores covert forms of harm such as subtle coercive control, gaslighting, chronic intimidation, manipulation, and other nuanced relational dynamics that can be mistaken for mutual patterns or attachment-based distress.
In addition to detection, this training emphasizes ethical and clinically sound responses. Therapists will learn how to navigate complex decision-making with care and discernment, guided by best practice recommendations, while maintaining client safety and professional integrity. The course also focuses on thoughtfully integrating an abuse-aware framework into attachment-based and emotionally focused therapy models without reinforcing harmful dynamics or overlooking power imbalances.
Whether you work with individuals, couples, or both, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge, practical tools, and clinical confidence to recognize abuse early, respond appropriately, and take informed steps to safeguard both your clients and your professional practice.
Emotional and psychological abuse often unfolds in ways that are subtle, complex, and easily misinterpreted within clinical settings particularly when viewed solely through an attachment or relational lens. This advanced training helps therapists accurately recognize abuse dynamics that may be obscured by presenting concerns such as conflict, disconnection, or distress, especially when clients have not explicitly disclosed harm.
Participants will develop a clear, clinically grounded understanding of emotional and psychological abuse, including how it presents in both individual and couple therapy. This workshop highlights commonly missed indicators and explores covert forms of harm such as subtle coercive control, gaslighting, chronic intimidation, manipulation, and other nuanced relational dynamics that can be mistaken for mutual patterns or attachment-based distress.
In addition to detection, this training emphasizes ethical and clinically sound responses. Therapists will learn how to navigate complex decision-making with care and discernment, guided by best practice recommendations, while maintaining client safety and professional integrity. The course also focuses on thoughtfully integrating an abuse-aware framework into attachment-based and emotionally focused therapy models without reinforcing harmful dynamics or overlooking power imbalances.
Whether you work with individuals, couples, or both, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge, practical tools, and clinical confidence to recognize abuse early, respond appropriately, and take informed steps to safeguard both your clients and your professional practice.
Program Objectives:
- Distinguish between the key forms of emotional and psychological abuse, including coercive control, gaslighting, intimidation, and subtle relational harm, as they present in individual and couple therapy.
- Identify early and often-overlooked clinical indicators of abuse dynamics, including cases where clients have not explicitly disclosed harm.
- Describe ethical decision-making frameworks for responding appropriately to suspected or identified abuse, in accordance with professional best practice guidelines.
- Explain how to maintain an abuse-informed perspective in attachment-based and emotionally focused therapy approaches, with attention to power dynamics and client safety.
SCHEDULE
*NOTE THAT TIMES ARE IN EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME (EDT) ZONE, U.S/CAN
DAY 1
4P-520P
Overview, Defining Safety, Presenter Intros
Definitions, patterns, imbalance, control, recognizing abuse
"Eggshells" film clip
3 D's of abuse - Disrespect, Disempower, Distort
[15 Min Break]
535P-630P
Identifying Abuse in Individual Therapy
- Assessment
- Most common abuse behaviors
- AUS study highlights
- Abuse progression
- Emotional abuse impact
- Injury vs. harm
Group Exercise & Discussion, Q & A
DAY 2
4P-520P
Assessment In Couple Therapy & Initial Sessions
Couple session film clip viewing & discussion
DV-Alert: Recognize, Respond, Refer
Uncomfortable…Unsure…Perpetrator Support…Questions
Ethics around multiple relationships in CT
[15 Min Break]
535P-6P
HOW – Supporting Clients in Individual and Couple Therapy w/ Abuse Patterns
- Directive Stance
- Therapist Communicating Plan
- Client Resistance/Therapist Challenging
Therapist Risk Management
Post-Separation Abuse
Recovery
6P-630P
Review and sharing training highlights
Q&A
Resources
TARGET AUDIENCE
Mental Health Professionals, Social Workers, Psychologists; must be licensed (or licensed-eligible) mental health professional
LEVEL
Intermediate
PRE-REQUISITE
Recommended but not required - Basic EFT training
CEs
4.5 CEs WILL BE AVAILABLE AND INCLUDED IN YOUR REGISTRATION FEE FOR THE FOLLOWING PROFESSIONS ONLY THROUGH CE-CLASSES.COM
Certificates are awarded online after completion of the workshop. Participants print their own certificate after registering at CE-Classes.com, entering a keycode, and completing an evaluation form. Licensed Professionals should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. You, the participant, are ultimately responsible for verifying this information with your state board. For further information or questions about CEs, please contact CE-Classes.com.
Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. You may also check CE-classes.com website to see if you r state and license is listed. You are ultimately responsible for verifying all information about CEs on this website and the CE-classes.com website with your state's licensing board.
Ada Assistance: This workshop is compliant with the American Disabilities Act. Please contact us at [email protected] if special accommodations are required at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the training.
CE Grievance Policy: CE-Classes.com and The South Florida Community for EFT seeks to ensure equitable treatment of every person and to make every attempt to resolve grievances in a fair manner. Please submit a written grievance to [email protected] and be sure to include your full name and contact number. Grievances will receive, to the best of our ability, corrective action in order to prevent further problems.
There is no commercial support or conflicts of interest for this program.
Certificates are awarded online after completion of the workshop. Participants print their own certificate after registering at CE-Classes.com, entering a keycode, and completing an evaluation form. Licensed Professionals should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. You, the participant, are ultimately responsible for verifying this information with your state board. For further information or questions about CEs, please contact CE-Classes.com.
- The American Psychological Association (APA) CE-Classes.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE-Classes.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
- California Board of Behavioral Sciences. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences, BBS, recognizes relevant course work/training that has been approved by nationally recognized certifying bodies, such as APA, to satisfy renewal requirements.
- California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) Provider Number OS-12-174-0627 Expires 06-2027
- California Board of Registered Nursing. CEP 15647 Expires 11/30/2026.
- Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling Provider #852 BAP-Expires 3/31/2027
- Florida Board of Nursing (CE Provider #: 50-4896) Expires 10/31/2026 Do not send certificates to the Florida Board of Nursing. You must keep this certificate for 4 years.
- Florida Certification Board
- Illinois - CE-Classes.com is a registered social work CE sponsor by the State of Illinois. License 159.001607 Expires 11/30/2026
- Massachusetts Authorization Number: (TBD)
- New York Mental Health Practitioners Board CE-Classes.com, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0260
- New York Psychology Board CE-Classes.com, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0211
- New York Social Work Board – CE-Classes.com is recognized by the New York State Education
Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0120. - Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board - Approval from a state licensing board for counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists is accepted by the OH CSWMFTB.
- Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure (LPCs, LMFTs and LBCs)
- South Carolina - CE-Classes.com is approved by the S.C. Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapist, Addiction Counselors, and Psycho-Educational Specialists (#4696).
- Texas Board of Social Work Examiners – CE-Classes.com meets the requirements for acceptable continuing education. Effective 1/1/24, at least half of the 30 hours must be obtained from a provider listed in 801.261(f). This course meets that requirement.
- Texas Board of Professional Counselors – CE-Classes.com meets the requirements for acceptable continuing education. Effective 1/1/24, at least half of the 30 hours must be obtained from a provider listed in 801.261(f). This course meets that requirement.
- Texas Board of Marriage & Family Therapists – CE-Classes.com meets the requirements for acceptable continuing education. Effective 1/1/24, at least half of the 30 hours must be obtained from a provider listed in 801.261(f). This course meets that requirement.
- This course is NOT available for NBCC credit
- This course does not offer ASWB ACE credit to social workers. However our state board approvals may be accepted for license renewal. Check with your state board.
Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. You may also check CE-classes.com website to see if you r state and license is listed. You are ultimately responsible for verifying all information about CEs on this website and the CE-classes.com website with your state's licensing board.
Ada Assistance: This workshop is compliant with the American Disabilities Act. Please contact us at [email protected] if special accommodations are required at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the training.
CE Grievance Policy: CE-Classes.com and The South Florida Community for EFT seeks to ensure equitable treatment of every person and to make every attempt to resolve grievances in a fair manner. Please submit a written grievance to [email protected] and be sure to include your full name and contact number. Grievances will receive, to the best of our ability, corrective action in order to prevent further problems.
There is no commercial support or conflicts of interest for this program.
REGISTRATION FEES
$185 early sign up by 8/15/26
$210 regular rate
CE's are included in your registration fee courtesy of our co-sponsor CE-classes.com.
*Note to SFCEFT members only: reach out for your special registration link
F.A.Q
Q. Will this training be recorded?
A. YES, this is a LIVE ONLINE interactive training and will be recorded for those registered to review for 30 days post-training.
Q. Can I attend if I will miss some portions due to conflicts, emergencies, etc.?
A. YES, you may attend what you can, we are happy to have you. Just note that you will not be eligible for CEs if you miss portions of this training. No exceptions. You may review the training as often as you wish for 30 days after the event.
Q. Are CEs available?
A. YES, 4.5CEs are included in your registration for licensed professionals attending the training in it's entirety. You will receive details post-training for instructions to obtain your CE certificate via CE-Classes.com.
Q. What if I sign up but then I can't attend?
A. The refund policy is below.
Q. What if I sign up and you cancel the event?
A. We will offer to refund you 100% of the registration fee if we cancel the event for any reason other than an "Act of G-d" or nature as your registration will be transferred to a later scheduled date. See the cancellation policy below for more details.
Q. Will this training be recorded?
A. YES, this is a LIVE ONLINE interactive training and will be recorded for those registered to review for 30 days post-training.
Q. Can I attend if I will miss some portions due to conflicts, emergencies, etc.?
A. YES, you may attend what you can, we are happy to have you. Just note that you will not be eligible for CEs if you miss portions of this training. No exceptions. You may review the training as often as you wish for 30 days after the event.
Q. Are CEs available?
A. YES, 4.5CEs are included in your registration for licensed professionals attending the training in it's entirety. You will receive details post-training for instructions to obtain your CE certificate via CE-Classes.com.
Q. What if I sign up but then I can't attend?
A. The refund policy is below.
Q. What if I sign up and you cancel the event?
A. We will offer to refund you 100% of the registration fee if we cancel the event for any reason other than an "Act of G-d" or nature as your registration will be transferred to a later scheduled date. See the cancellation policy below for more details.
CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY*
Less than 10 days notice - 50% refund
11+ days notice, full refund minus $30 administrative fee
* Registration refund amounts are based on our fixed costs and contractual obligations. When you enroll, it is with the understanding that you will attend. If an "Act of G-d" or nature requires SFCEFT to cancel or postpone this event, we will apply your fee to the make-up date. If we cannot secure a make up date, you will receive a full refund. For in-person trainings, hotel and airfare refunds will be subject to your contractual agreement directly with any hotel, car rental company, airline, etc.. If you request a refund for any reason, it will be provided to you minus the administrative fee. If you qualify for a scholarship, due to limited spots, please notify us as soon as possible if you are unable to attend so that a spot can open up for someone else. All refunds must be requested in writing via email to [email protected].
QUESTIONS/CONTACT*
[email protected]
*Any inquiries regarding training details, registration, payment, refunds, website issues, etc.
Less than 10 days notice - 50% refund
11+ days notice, full refund minus $30 administrative fee
* Registration refund amounts are based on our fixed costs and contractual obligations. When you enroll, it is with the understanding that you will attend. If an "Act of G-d" or nature requires SFCEFT to cancel or postpone this event, we will apply your fee to the make-up date. If we cannot secure a make up date, you will receive a full refund. For in-person trainings, hotel and airfare refunds will be subject to your contractual agreement directly with any hotel, car rental company, airline, etc.. If you request a refund for any reason, it will be provided to you minus the administrative fee. If you qualify for a scholarship, due to limited spots, please notify us as soon as possible if you are unable to attend so that a spot can open up for someone else. All refunds must be requested in writing via email to [email protected].
QUESTIONS/CONTACT*
[email protected]
*Any inquiries regarding training details, registration, payment, refunds, website issues, etc.