S1 Ep 17: Breaking Down the Tango. Move 3 in Stage 2

The Supervision Tapes w/ Sarah McConnell

Navigating Family Dynamics and Therapist Self-Care in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)In this insightful episode, Michael Preston and EFT trainer Sarah McConnell explore the nuances of working with family systems, shifting from couple to family therapy, and maintaining therapist resilience. This conversation offers practical frameworks and reflections for therapists seeking to deepen their understanding and effectiveness in EFT.Main Topics: * Transitioning from couples to family therapy: hierarchy vs. equality * Stages of EFFT and their focus on caregiver availability and child blocks * Validating behaviors in family sessions: tracking and understanding responses * Managing self-awareness and self-care as a therapist in complex sessions * Simplifying EFT process for ongoing growth and managing messy sessions * Recognizing and working with pursuer and withdrawer cycles * Building secure attachment through responsive caregiving * Resources and upcoming trainings in EFT and EFFT models * Sarah shares her perspective on shifting from couple to family models and the importance of understanding stages in EFFT * Discussion on how attachment principles underpin family work, emphasizing caregiver availability * Techniques for validating different behaviors and keeping the focus on process during family sessions * Practical advice for therapists to stay grounded and self-compassionate when sessions become complicated * The significance of ongoing practice, reflection, and community engagement in mastering EFT skills To Learn more about Joining the EFT Deliberate Practice Group that will start in JULY, Go to: www.michaelprestonlpc.com/tango To learn about working with Sarah McConnell visit: https://www.beftcentre.org/ As always to work with EFT Trainers Michael Barnett or Dr. Silvina Irwin visit their websites: www.MichaelBarnettlpc.com www.DrSilvinaIrwin.com To work with EFT Supervisor Michael Preston visit his website: www.MichaelPrestonLPC.com Attribution:Intro MusicPalms Down by Blue Dot Palms Down by ⁠Blue Dot Session dfrv4qmi

The Supervision Tapes w/ Rachel Chiu

Join Michael Preston and Rachel Chiu as they explore the impact of patriarchy and misogyny on emotional health, gender roles, and relationships. This conversation offers deep insights into how systemic oppression shapes personal experiences and therapeutic practices. keywords patriarchy, misogyny, gender roles, emotional health, systemic oppression, EFT, therapy, cultural narratives, gender equality key topics * Impact of patriarchy and misogyny on emotional health * How systemic oppression influences gender roles and relationships * Strategies for therapists to address cultural narratives in session To Reach out for Supervision with Rachel Chiu visit her website: https://www.restoretherapysc.com/eft-supervision To Learn more about EFT Triage 2026 in Los Vegas visit: https://efttriage.com/ As always to work with EFT Trainers Michael Barnett or Dr. Silvina Irwin visit their websites: www.MichaelBarnettlpc.com www.DrSilvinaIrwin.com To work with EFT Supervisor Michael Preston visit his website: www.MichaelPrestonLPC.com To join Michael's Tango Class waitlist visit: WWW.MichaelPrestonLPC.com/tangowaitlist Attribution:Intro MusicPalms Down by Blue Dot Palms Down by ⁠Blue Dot Session dfrv4qmi

The Supervision Tapes with Jena Irvin

Building Diversity and Addressing Complex Issues in EFT: Insights with Jenna Irvin. Join us as Jenna Irvin shares her journey in increasing diversity within the EFT community, her work with BIPOC therapists, and practical strategies for managing complex couples therapy cases. To Reach out for Supervision with Jena Irvin visit her website: https://www.smyrnacouplescounseling.com/supervision To Learn more about Core Skills Training in Atlanta this summer visit: https://www.eftatlanta.com As always to work with EFT Trainers Michael Barnett or Dr. Silvina Irwin visit their websites: MichaelBarnettlpc.com DrSilvinaIrwin.com To work with EFT Supervisor Michael Preston visit his website: www.MichaelPrestonLPC.com To join Michael's Tango Class waitlist visit: WWW.MichaelPrestonLPC.com/tangowaitlist Attribution:Intro MusicPalms Down by Blue Dot Palms Down by ⁠Blue Dot Session dfrv4qmi

The Supervision Tapes w/Grazel Garcia

Supporting Neurodiverse Couples and Therapists in EFT: Insights from Grazel GarciaIn this episode, we dive into neurodiversity with Grazel Garcia, author of Cross Signals, sharing strategies to adapt EFT for neurodiverse clients and honoring the therapist's own nervous system. Whether you're working with neurodiverse couples or navigating your own sensory sensitivities, this conversation offers practical guidance grounded in neuroaffirmative practices.Main Topics: * How to modify EFT techniques for neurodiverse clients, including pacing and language adjustments * Recognizing neurological differences in emotional expression and processing * Attuning to sensory sensitivities and creating a neurodiverse-friendly therapy environment * Supporting neurodivergent therapists to self-regulate in challenging sessions * Bridging understanding between neurodivergent and neurotypical partners through attachment bids and love language * The importance of slowing down and pacing interventions based on client neurotypes * How to recognize and validate different ways emotions are felt and expressed * Using neuroaffirmative language to validate clients’ internal experiences * Practical tips like fidget toys, lighting adjustments, and pacing strategies * The significance of self-awareness and regulation for therapists working with high-stimulus couples * Exploring attachment behaviors that look different but carry meaningful connection For information about working with Grazel Garcia: Grazel Garcia Psychotherapy & Associates [https://grazelgarciatherapy.com/] has rebranded to Grayslate [https://grayslatetherapy.com/].  You can reach Grazel directly at either email addresses: For book info and speaking engagements, workshops: grazel@grazelgarciatherapy.com [grazel@grazelgarciatherapy.com]  For mental health services: grazel@grayslatetherapy.com [grazel@grayslatetherapy.com]  Book "Crossed Signals" sign up link:  https://grazelgarciatherapy.com/crossed-signals/ [https://grazelgarciatherapy.com/crossed-signals/] Release date:  June 2026 To Learn more about Core Skills Training in Atlanta this summer visit: https://www.eftatlanta.com As always to work with EFT Trainers Michael Barnett or Dr. Silvina Irwin visit their websites: MichaelBarnettlpc.com DrSilvinaIrwin.com or to work with EFT Supervisor Michael Preston visit his website: www.MichaelPrestonLPC.com To join Michael's Tango Class waitlist visit: WWW.MichaelPrestonLPC.com/tangowaitlist Attribution:Intro MusicPalms Down by Blue Dot Palms Down by ⁠Blue Dot Session dfrv4qmi

The Supervision Tapes w/ Annabelle Safinia

Michael Preston meets with EFT Supervisor, Annabel Safinia, for the first episode of The Supervision Tapes. In their discussion Michael presents Annabelle with questions submittied by the audience and the two discuss how they would approach them from an EFT Framework. Annabelle shares her insights on handling challenging moments with confidence. She discusses how to recognize and slow down escalation, to prevent session derailment and turn crises into teaching moments. You’ll discover how to interpret action tendencies like pursuit and withdrawal, and how to work empathically with client defenses rather than against them. Plus, learn the importance of self-awareness and self-compassion as a therapist, so you can stay grounded when everything feels like chaos. Michael and Annabelle break down specific techniques for pausing and grounding during high-stakes moments, including a playful Western metaphor to help you see escalation as a runaway carriage that needs gently pulling over. They offer practical advice on managing your own internal reactions—whether it’s freeze, panic, or self-criticism—and turning these responses into opportunities for growth. Annabel Safinia is an EFT supervisor based in London, known for her approach to foundational skills practice and her passion for helping clinicians master the ‘meat and potatoes’ of EFT. Her work emphasizes the crucial role of therapist self-awareness in transforming therapeutic challenges into opportunities for healing. Perfect for EFT clinicians seeking tools to manage session turbulence. To learn more about working with Annabelle you can visit her website www.calrelationshipclinic.com www.annabellesafinia.com To learn more about working with or training with Michael Barnett or Dr. Silvina Irwin visit their websites www.michaelbarnettlpc.com www.drsilvinairwin.com www.eftcla.org To learn more about working with Michael Preston for EFT Supervision visit Michael's website. www.michaelprestonlpc.com For more info on Michael's Tango Course visit www.michaelprestonlpc.com/tango Attribution:Intro MusicPalms Down by Blue Dot Palms Down by ⁠Blue Dot Session dfrv4qmi