Susan Johnson

Dr Sue Johnson

author, clinical psychologist, researcher, professor, popular presenter and speaker and a leading innovator in the field of couple therapy and adult attachment

Dr. Sue Johnson is an author, clinical psychologist, researcher, professor, popular presenter and speaker and a leading innovator in the field of couple therapy and adult attachment. Sue is the primary developer of Emotionally Focused Couples and Family Therapy (EFT), which has demonstrated its effectiveness in over 30 years of peer-reviewed clinical research.

Sue Johnson is founding Director of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) and Distinguished Research Professor at Alliant University in San Diego, California, and Professor, Clinical Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia, Canada, as well as Professor Emeritus, Clinical Psychology, at the University of Ottawa, Canada.

Dr. Johnson has received a variety of awards acknowledging her development of EFT and her significant contribution to the field of couple and family therapy and adult attachment. Sue was appointed in 2017 as a Member of the Order of Canada, the country’s highest civilian honour recognizing outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to Canada. In 2016, she was named Psychologist of the Year by APA, and has been honoured by AAMFT for her Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Couple and Family Therapy.

As author of the best-selling book: Hold Me Tight, Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, Sue Johnson created for the general public, a self-help version of her ground-breaking research on relationships – how to enhance them, how to repair them and how to keep them. This best seller has been adapted and developed into a relationship education and enhancement program. This Hold Me Tight® program has been translated into numerous languages with workshops taking place around the world. The program has been adapted for specific groups such as for couples facing heart disease, for families with teens, and for Christian couples, and is also offered in an online format.

Her book, Love Sense, The Revolutionary New Science of Romantic Relationships outlines the new logical understanding of why and how we love – based on new scientific evidence and cutting-edge research. Explaining that romantic love is based on an attachment bond, Dr. Johnson shows how to develop our “love sense” – our ability to develop long-lasting relationships.

Sue’s newest book, Attachment Theory in Practice: EFT with Individuals, Couples and Families, shows the promise of attachment science in terms of making sense of and repairing our most precious relationships and thriving as strong resilient individuals. Attachment science offers us the most potent model for therapeutic change, especially when dealing with anxiety and depression, and that, of all models of intervention, EFT most closely captures the essence of the attachment perspective. It targets the defining feature of survival-oriented human connection, namely strong emotion, and systematically shapes core bonding interactions with others.

Dr. Johnson’s best-known professional books include, The Practice of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: Creating Connection (3rd edition, 2019) and Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy with Trauma Survivors (2002).

Sue trains counselors in EFT worldwide and consults to the over 75 international institutes and affiliated centers who practice EFT. She also consults to Veterans Affairs and the U.S. and Canadian militaries.

Living in Victoria, BC, with her husband, Sue adores Argentine tango and kayaking on Canada’s northern lakes

Awards
.Order of Canada – Awarded 2017
Family Psychologist of the Year award – American Psychological Association (APA), Div. 43 – 2016
Invited to give the 21st John Bowlby Memorial Lecture at the John Bowlby Memorial Conference 2014, London, UK
Professional Training Award – American Association for Marriage And Family Therapy – 2013
Lifetime Achievement Award Awarded by the Belgium Association for Couple and Family Therapy – 2009
Research in Family Therapy Award
Awarded by the American Family Therapy Academy – 2005
Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Marriage & Family Therapy Award
Awarded by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy – 2000
Fellow of the American Psychological Association (Family Division)
Susan Johnson was made a Fellow in recognition of her contribution to this area – 2003
Excellence in Education Teaching Award
Awarded by the University of Ottawa – 2002
YMCA Women of Distinction Award
Awarded for work in Health and Well-Being – 2001
Upcoming Events
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Books by Dr. Johnson
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Publications by Dr. Johnson
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SUSAN JOHNSON

Dr. Sue Johnson is an author, clinical psychologist, researcher, professor, popular presenter and speaker and a leading innovator in the field of couple therapy and adult attachment. Sue is the primary developer of Emotionally Focused Couples and Family Therapy (EFT), which has demonstrated its effectiveness in over 30 years of peer-reviewed clinical research…

Gail Palmer

Gail Palmer - Certified EFT Supervisor and Trainer

Gail has her Masters in Social Work, is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist in Canada and an approved Supervisor with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a couple and family therapy lecturer at the School of Social Work at Carleton University and St. Paul’s University in Ottawa.

Gail Palmer - MSW, RMFT
ICEEFT Certified EFT Supervisor and Trainer
Gail is one of the founding members of the Ottawa Couple and Family Institute and co-director of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy and is Chair of the Education Committee. For over twenty years, Gail has trained and supervised therapists and students in Emotionally Focused Therapy and has conducted Externships, Core Skills Trainings and workshops on a number of EFT topics across Canada, the United States and Europe. Working with families is a particular interest to Gail and she has developed the application of the model to families with both presenting and writing on EFFT. She is co-author of Becoming an Emotionally Focused Couple Therapist: The Workbook.
Gail has her Masters in Social Work, is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist in Canada and an approved Supervisor with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a couple and family therapy lecturer at the School of Social Work at Carleton University and St. Paul’s University in Ottawa.

GAIL PALMER

Gail is one of the founding members of the Ottawa Couple and Family Institute and co-director of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy and is Chair of the Education Committee. For over twenty years, Gail has trained and supervised therapists and students in Emotionally Focused Therapy and has conducted Externships…

JAMES FURROW

James Furrow, Ph.D, LMFTA

Relationship issues including: communication, affairs, parenting, intergenerational relationships, loss, and step-family adjustment.

James L Furrow, Ph.D., is a recognized leader and contributor to the practice of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with couples and families. He is contributing author and editor to five EFT texts including Emotionally Focused Family Therapy: Restoring Connection and Promoting Resilience and the forthcoming Becoming an Emotionally Focused Therapist: The Workbook. His research on couple therapy, positive youth development and spirituality are featured in leading professional journals. He is a clinical fellow and an approved supervisor with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, a member of the National Council on Family Relations, and a Certified Family Life Educator. Jim co-founded the Los Angeles Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy and is an ICEEFT certified EFT therapist, supervisor, and trainer. He resides in Seattle Washington where he maintains a clinical practice at Navigate Family Therapy, teaches courses at Seattle University and conducts professional training.

JAMES FURROW

James L Furrow, Ph.D., is a recognized leader and contributor to the practice of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with couples and families. He is contributing author and editor to five EFT texts including Emotionally Focused Family Therapy: Restoring Connection and Promoting Resilience and the forthcoming Becoming an Emotionally Focused Therapist:

GEORGE FALLER

George Faller

George Faller is a retired Lieutenant of the NYC Fire Department, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in New York and Connecticut and an Approved Supervisor for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

I started doing couples therapy with firefighters and first responders and their spouses while I was also a firefighter. We were all trying to put the pieces back together after September 11th, and while there were plenty of therapists willing to work with individuals coming through the trauma, very few would work with couples. I know what it’s like to be in the fire literally, and I also learned how to be in the fire of guiding highly reactive and traumatized couples. I specialize in helping couples and therapists find their way through the intense heat and confusion of reactive relationships.

When I started counseling, I knew Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) was the best model I could use, but I struggled knowing the right way to use it for me. I saw videos of Sue Johnson and then trained with her, and wondered how on earth I was going to make my College Point Queens, firefighter, tough guy voice sound anything like her sweet, soft tone. Over time I found my own way to be myself in the room with couples, and now I train clinicians all over the world to support their knowledge of EFT. I’m committed to helping clinicians find their own voice in EFT, so they can be the best possible therapists for the couples and families who need us. There is a clearer way to practice EFT, and I can help you find it.

Prior to a career in the field of mental health, George spent 20 years as a NYC Firefighter and NYC Police Officer. George received his M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Iona College, where he graduated at the top of his class. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Queens College. His experience as a FDNY Peer Counselor, particularly following the events of 9/11, sparked his passion to help those impacted by trauma.

He is a certified Trainer/Supervisor/Therapist in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and founder of the New York Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy where he serves as President. He is a Supervisor with the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT) and teaches classes at the Ackerman Institute for the Family in Manhattan. He is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist currently practicing in Connecticut and New York. George is the director of training at the Greenwich Center for Hope & Renewal in Connecticut and is on the Board of the Porter Cason Institute at Tulane University in New Orleans.

George brings a unique and varied experience to his practice. Whether he is providing marriage therapy to Wall Street executives, leading a conference for the United States Military or equipping therapists from around the globe, his ability to inspire is far-reaching. George is also committed to bringing EFT to underprivileged populations and pushing the leading edge of effective therapy.

GEORGE FALLER

George Faller is a retired Lieutenant of the NYC Fire Department, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in New York and Connecticut and an Approved Supervisor for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. He is the founder and President of the New York Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). As an EFT Trainer…

Lisa Palmer-Olsen

Lisa J. Palmer, Psy.D.

Lisa J. Palmer, Psy.D. is a licensed marriage and family therapist in San Diego California. She is a Certified EFT Trainer and Supervisor and is a Founder and one of the Directors of the Emotionally Focused Couples Training and Research Institute at Alliant International University.

Lisa Palmer-Olsen, Psy.D. is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in San Diego California. She is a Certified EFT Therapist, Trainer, and Supervisor, and is a Founder and one of the Directors of the Emotionally Focused Couples Training and Research Institute at Alliant International University. Lisa completed her dissertation research on how to train and teach Emotionally Focused Couples therapy to professionals. Dr. Sue Johnson, the founder of EFT and Dr. Scott Woolley were part of her dissertation committee.

Dr. Palmer-Olsen’s primary clinical and research interests are in the areas of couple and family therapy; specifically with those couples and families dealing with trauma and attachment related struggles. She is an AAMFT clinical member and approved AAMFT supervisor.

Dr. Palmer-Olsen is also co-founder and clinic director for the Alliant Couple and Family Clinic (ACFC), San Diego-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit therapy clinic. The ACFC specializes in family and couple therapy offering individual and group counseling sessions for military and all clients in distressed relationships. Affiliated with Alliant International University, the ACFC is a training clinic for master’s and doctoral students to earn their clinical hours for graduation. As the clinical director, Dr. Palmer-Olsen supervises and teaches the EFT model, as well as works families herself.

As a student of Alliant International University, Lisa had the opportunity to train under family therapy founders Dr. Jay Haley and Dr. James Framo. She earned the Bachelor degree of Psychology at Colorado State University, the Master and Doctoral Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy at Alliant International University.

LISA PALMER-OLSEN

Lisa J. Palmer, Psy.D. is a licensed marriage and family therapist in San Diego California. She is a Certified EFT Trainer and Supervisor and is a Founder and one of the Directors of the Emotionally Focused Couples Training and Research Institute at Alliant International University. Lisa completed her dissertation research on how to train…

Kathryn de Bruin

Kathryn de Bruin

Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified EFT Trainer and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor

Kathryn de Bruin is a Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified EFT Trainer and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. She has a full time private practice in San Diego, CA where she works with children and families. Kathryn teaches Play Therapy at the University of California, San Diego, for the Play Therapy Program.

As a AAMFT supervisor, Kathryn enjoys providing supervision in person and online. Supervisees have described her as warm, perceptive and skilled. With her strong work ethic, it is important to Kathryn to be accessible and responsive to those who work with her. For more information on Kathryn, visit her online at www.kathryndebruin.com.
Dr. Palmer-Olsen’s primary clinical and research interests are in the areas of couple and family therapy; specifically with those couples and families dealing with trauma and attachment related struggles. She is an AAMFT clinical member and approved AAMFT supervisor.

Dr. Palmer-Olsen is also co-founder and clinic director for the Alliant Couple and Family Clinic (ACFC), San Diego-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit therapy clinic. The ACFC specializes in family and couple therapy offering individual and group counseling sessions for military and all clients in distressed relationships. Affiliated with Alliant International University, the ACFC is a training clinic for master’s and doctoral students to earn their clinical hours for graduation. As the clinical director, Dr. Palmer-Olsen supervises and teaches the EFT model, as well as works families herself.

As a student of Alliant International University, Lisa had the opportunity to train under family therapy founders Dr. Jay Haley and Dr. James Framo. She earned the Bachelor degree of Psychology at Colorado State University, the Master and Doctoral Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy at Alliant International University.

KATHRYN de BRUIN

Kathryn de Bruin is a Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified EFT Trainer and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. She has a full time private practice in San Diego, CA where she works with children and families. Kathryn teaches Play Therapy at the University of California, San Diego, for the Play Therapy Program.