History of our Organization
In 1998, Sue Johnson and a few of her EFT colleagues decided to open the Ottawa Couple and Family Institute with the goal of having like minded therapists provide service in the Ottawa community as well as to create a home for EFT research and training.
Over the next several years, more therapists were brought into the Institute, various research studies were undertaken and EFT educational courses increased. A structure was developed to specify requirements for registering EFT therapists, supervisors and trainers. A Listserv was initiated to provide a forum to connect and share ideas and questions for people who had taken an EFT Externship and wanted to stay in touch with this new EFT Community. A Directory of therapists, supervisors and trainers was also created and Sue developed several EFT training DVDs.
With continuing growth of all aspects of the Institute, the decision was made in 2004 to split the organization. The Ottawa Couple and Family Institute Inc. was incorporated as the company providing services in the community whereas research, educational courses and EFT training would be the focus of the newly created International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (a not-for-profit corporation).
OCFI also became the local Ottawa EFT Centre since several therapists at the Institute are also EFT Trainers and EFT Supervisors and OCFI continues to be involved in EFT training and research. In the interest of efficiency and cost effectiveness, OCFI was also contracted to provide administrative services for ICEEFT since both organizations share the same office space. The members of the ICEEFT Board were – and are – Sue Johnson, Alison Lee, Gail Palmer and John Douglas, the original founders of OCFI.
Our Philosophy
We adhere to the philosophy that relationships are at the core of human experience. Research indicates that emotionally fulfilling relationships are integral components of mental and physical health, and that emotionally focused interventions have the power to establish and recreate supportive bonds among individuals. We are therefore dedicated to the understanding and enhancement of couple and family relationships through an emphasis on emotions and their interpersonal impact. We believe that all people can maximize their potential given a nurturing social environment, which we endeavor to foster in our work with clients.
About our Director, Dr. Sue Johnson
To view a biography, list of awards, publications and upcoming appearances for Dr. Johnson, click here.
EFT Research
To see a summary of outcomes for EFT research, click here.
To find EFT Therapists in Ottawa area, please click here and search under “Ottawa”
“Being the “best you can be” is really only possible when you are deeply connected to another. Splendid isolation is for planets, not people.”