Focused support for your tapes and case write-up — so you’re not staring at the application in dread, alone.
You’ve done the trainings. You’ve logged supervision hours. You’ve recorded sessions.
And now you’re face-to-face with the ICEEFT application ...choosing clips, naming Tango moves, writing your case conceptualization ....and it feels… overwhelming.
The EFCT Certification Application Studio is a short-term, high-focus container where we work together on the most stressful parts of the process: selecting, refining, and packaging your tapes and case write-up so you can submit with more clarity and less panic.
You’ll be the first to know when Application Studio spots open and get access to founding pricing.
The Application Studio is designed for EFCT / couples therapists who:
Have completed (or nearly completed) their Externship, Core Skills, and required supervision hours.
Have been taping sessions, but feel unsure which clips actually show what the board wants to see.
Are struggling to identify clear Stage 1 and Stage 2 moments and how to frame them in Tango language.
Feel stuck or anxious about the case conceptualization and how to put their work into words without sounding robotic or “wrong.”
Don’t want to waste a $600 application fee on a rushed or confusing submission (or stay frozen at the “almost ready” stage for another year.)
What it is and what it isn't.
The Application Studio is a short-term, done-with-you preparation container focused entirely on your:
Video tapes (clip selection + refinement)
Written materials (case conceptualization, summaries, and required descriptions)
Think of it as the place you go when you’ve done the groundwork and now need help shaping it into a coherent, board-ready application — without losing your voice or your sanity.
This is not:
A full EFCT training or general supervision group
A long-term commitment or membership
A guarantee of certification (no one can offer that)
It is a space where we:
Slow down your tapes together
Name what you’re already doing well
Identify what’s missing or unclear
Help you decide what to submit, how to describe it, and how to feel more solid about hitting “send.”
Format:
A blend of 1:1 calls and asynchronous tape review / written feedback
What’s included (example):
🔎 Tape review & selection support
You’ll submit a set amount of recorded material (we’ll define this clearly before you enroll).
I’ll review key segments and help you identify potential Stage 1 and Stage 2 clips that best show required skills and Tango moves.
💬 2–3 focused 1:1 sessions
Session 1: Clarify your couples, cases, and timeline; map out which tapes to use and what to look for.
Session 2: Review candidate clips, refine choices, and clarify how they demonstrate Tango, Stages, and key interventions.
Session 3: Final pass on your application narrative and plan for any last edits before submission.
📝 Feedback on your written materials
High-level comments and suggestions on your case conceptualization and written responses so they sound like you really know your stuff while clearly reflecting EFCT concepts and requirements.
Timeline (example):
Roughly 4–8 weeks, depending on how much of your material is already drafted and how quickly you want to move.
Choosing your best couples and sessions for submission
We’ll look at your cases and identify which couples and sessions give you the highest chance of showcasing both Stage 1 and Stage 2 work.
Finding and refining your clips
Together we’ll:
Spot moments where you’re already using the Tango effectively
Identify where things are fuzzy or underdeveloped
Decide which segments best represent your skills and growth
Clarifying your Tango and process language
You’ll get help naming what you’re doing in a way that aligns with EFCT theory without turning your work into jargon soup.
Strengthening your case conceptualization
We’ll ensure your write-up:
Actually fits what’s happening in the tapes
Clearly reflects attachment, cycle, and emotion
Feels coherent and authentic, not like a test you’re doomed to fail
Creating a calm, cohesive submission plan
You’ll leave with clarity on:
Which clips to use (or refine)
How they meet requirements
What still needs polishing
When and how you’ll finish your written pieces
Selected tape segments that you feel reasonably confident using for your submission (or a clear plan for what you still need to record).
A deeper understanding of where your tapes do and don’t show the Tango, Stage 1 work, and Stage 2 work — and how to talk about that.
A drafted and refined case conceptualization that matches your actual work and aligns with EFCT concepts.
A realistic submission timeline you can follow, instead of an endless “someday” feeling.
Less dread and more groundedness about paying the $600 application fee because you know your materials have been thoughtfully prepared.
The felt sense that you’re no longer wrestling with this alone in your office after hours.
I’m Stephanie Cox, MS, LMHC, a Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist and EFCT Supervisor Candidate.
When I was preparing my own application, I remember:
Rewatching tapes late at night and thinking, “Is this even Stage 2?”
Worrying that my writing sounded either too casual or too stiff and academic.
Feeling like if I messed this up, I’d be throwing $600+ and months of emotional energy into the void.
I became certified in about 17 months, in part because I:
Got very clear about what the board was looking for
Learned how to see my work through a Tango and attachment lens
Stopped trying to be perfect and focused on being coherent and genuine
Had my own fantastic supervisor guiding me
Now, some of my favorite work is helping other therapists:
See the strengths that are already present in their tapes
Understand where and how to grow
Translate their in-the-room work into language that makes sense to reviewers without losing their heart
My approach is:
Non-shaming and collaborative (you are not “failing” this model)
Grounded in EFCT theory and the reality of imperfect therapy sessions
Focused on making this process kinder, clearer, and more doable
FAQ section
A: No. It’s helpful if you have some recordings already, but part of our work can be deciding what still needs to be recorded and how to plan for those sessions. The Studio is great for both “I have too many tapes and don’t know what to choose” and “I have some, but I’m not sure they’re enough.”
A: I wish I could, but no one can honestly guarantee that. What I can offer is experienced eyes, structured support, and a thoughtful process to improve the clarity and coherence of your submission and help you feel more grounded about what you’re sending in.
A: The Studio is primarily focused on reviewing and shaping your tapes and written materials, not on meeting general supervision hour requirements. However, our face-to-face learning can count towards hours. (If you still need supervision hours, that’s where the Certification Supervision Pod is a better fit. You’re welcome to participate in both at different points in your journey.)
A: Final pricing will go to the waitlist first, but you can expect it to be a premium, short-term support container — a higher investment than a single consult call, but significantly less than what most people spend on months or years of spinning in circles.
A: That’s okay. The Studio can help you figure out how close you are, what’s missing, and what your realistic next steps are. You don’t have to have a submission date set to benefit.
A: You’ll get a confirmation email, and then I’ll keep you updated as I finalize the exact structure, pricing, and timeline. When enrollment opens, the waitlist gets first access and the lowest pricing I’ll offer for this container.