July 08, 2026

EP 112: Working with Complex Cases in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) | Featuring EFT Trainer Kathryn DeBruin

44 minutes

Welcome to We Heart Therapy, your destination for training, clinical conversations, and inspiration for Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) therapists around the world.

In this episode, Dr. Belle, PhD, LMFT, ICEEFT Certified EFT/EFIT/EFFT Supervisor & Therapist and EFT Community Leader for Southern NV EFT, sits down with Kathryn DeBruin, ICEEFT Certified EFT Trainer, originally with the San Diego Center for EFT, now practicing and training in Utah, and a pioneer in helping develop the South African EFT community.

Together, they explore one of the most important topics for developing EFT therapists:

How do we effectively work with more complex cases in Emotionally Focused Therapy?

As therapists grow in their EFT journey, they inevitably encounter clients whose presentations require greater flexibility, deeper attunement, and a more nuanced understanding of attachment science. In this rich clinical discussion, Kathryn shares decades of experience helping therapists navigate these challenging moments while staying grounded in the EFT model.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✨ What makes a case "complex" in EFT

✨ How to stay anchored in the attachment model when sessions become difficult

✨ Working with trauma, high conflict, and complicated relationship dynamics

✨ Common challenges therapists encounter—and how to navigate them effectively

✨ Clinical wisdom for maintaining emotional presence under pressure

✨ How complexity can become an opportunity for deeper healing and secure attachment

Whether you're new to EFT or an experienced Certified EFT Therapist/Supervisor, this conversation offers practical guidance, thoughtful reflection, and clinical pearls that can immediately enhance your work with couples and individuals.

If you're committed to growing as an attachment-based therapist, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

---

🔗 Learn Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

*Become trained or certified through the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT):*

https://iceeft.com

🔗 Learn More About Kathryn DeBruin Kathryn DeBruin's Website: https://kathryndebruin.com/

Kathryn DeBruin's Podcast: The Family Express https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

🔗 Connect with Dr. Belle & We Heart Therapy *Dr. Belle / Practice Website* https://www.DrBelle.com

https://www.LasVegasMarriageCounselin...

❤️ *Southern NV EFT* https://www.snveft.com

❤️ *Dr. Belle / We Heart Therapy* https://www.WeHeartTherapy.com

---

👍 *If you enjoyed this conversation:*

Like this video

Subscribe to *We Heart Therapy*

Share it with fellow EFT therapists and supervisors

Leave a comment with your biggest takeaway or questions about working with complex cases in EFT

Our mission is to bring you conversations with leading EFT Trainers and clinicians from around the world to help you become a more confident, effective, and emotionally engaged therapist. Thank you for being part of the We Heart Therapy community!

#EmotionallyFocusedTherapy #EFT #ICEEFT #EFTTherapist #CouplesTherapy #AttachmentTheory #ComplexTrauma #TherapistTraining #ClinicalSupervision #KathrynDeBruin #WeHeartTherapy #DrBelle #EFIT #EFFT #MentalHealthProfessionals

...more

View all episodes

By wehearttherapy

4.5

5555 ratings