Emotion Focused Skills Training for Parents & Caregivers (EFST-P)
In recognition of the stress and needs of parents parenting an adolescent with mental health challenges, we are bringing parents an evidence based parenting workshop to help them navigate emotions and parenting.
EFST emerges out of Dr. Joanne Dolhanty’s pioneering work empowering parents to adopt a significant role in the recovery of a loved one suffering from a mental health problem. EFST is rooted in the deep and unwavering belief in the healing power of families. We believe that parents are a large part of their loved one’s recovery and this group is meant to help you see for yourself that this is true.
Often parents will bring their loved one to a mental health clinic and more often than not are left in the waiting room while their loved one meets with professionals. These parents are often left feeling helpless and do not know what their role is in their loved ones struggle and/or how they can be part of the solution. We have found in this skills training program that we can actually help people build their self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is this idea that given that I take on this task how confident am I that I will be successful. Often caregivers feel ready and willing to intervene but they do not feel able. EFST focuses on Navigating Emotions, Enhancing Motivation, and Transforming Relationships to begin to have participants see how capable they truly are to support and intervene.
This workshop is different from other parent workshops in that it helps caregivers really reflect on themselves, where they get stuck, where they get in their own way and where they get in their loved ones way. This program is meant to give caregivers the knowledge, awareness of their own “stuff” and skills to intervene and feel able.
“If you aren’t willing to face your demons - if you can’t find the courage to take on your fear and hurt and anger - you might as well wrap them up with a bow and give them to your children because they will be carrying the same things…unless you are willing to do the work.”
— R.A. Dickey, Whenever I Wind Up
How is EFST provided at VAULT?
How the EFST-P group is offered through VAULT Psychotherapy will be dependent on demand and availability. For this reason, you won’t have the option of picking which format you prefer when it comes to our first and second format option described below. Each format option covers the entire EFST-P intervention so you can be reassured that you are not missing out on any valuable information depending on which service format you participate in. We always work to ensure you get the most out of EFST-P.
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Two Day Workshop
Typically, the two days will run from 9:00AM - 4:00PM with scheduled breaks in between. This two day workshop can be offered both in person and virtually. This two day workshop will typically be run on weekends but these days can vary depending on a variety of factors including space and demand. Just like the six week group this is both psycho-educational and experiential.
Inquire for information below.
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Six Week Group
We will be meeting as a smaller group on a weekly basis for two hours at a time for six weeks. In order to ensure that we complete the intervention in its entirety each round of this weekly group will run six weeks at a time. The days and times that this weekly group takes place will vary depending on need. Just like the two day workshop this is both psycho-educational and experiential.
Inquire for information below.
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Supported Learning
We offer 1:1 sessions for caregivers to support them in integrating and generalizing the learning that they accomplish at their own pace through an online course offered by Dr. Joanne Dolhanty. Parents who register for her pre-recorded online EFST-P course are strongly encouraged to be followed by a clinician. We at VAULT can provide you with that level of support and guidance.
Learn more below.
FAQs
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The primary goal of EFST is to empower parents to feel confident as active, primary agents in guiding their loved one of any age through the behavioural, emotional and relational challenges of everyday living. It is a research-based model that has been clinically tested in supporting parents and caregivers of individuals facing a wide variety of mental health issues including but not limited to eating disorders, substance use, depression, anxiety, life transitions, sibling conflict, emotional dysregulation and suicidality.
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Navigate Emotions – Enhance Motivation – Transform Relationships
Navigate the world of emotions and develop self-efficacy in working with emotion
Enhance motivation-to-change with emotion focused techniques
Transform relationships with emotion focused tasks
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EFST is a skills-based approach focused in emotion processing. The Emotion-Focused Skills NET provides parents with a variety practical tools that can be immediately implemented within the family. The use of these tools help parents to stop walking on eggshells, feel more confident supporting their loved ones through painful and overwhelming emotions and often lead to an increase in flexibility and openness to parent involvement. It is a model that believes in the healing power of parents and that empowered parents can then empower their loved ones in their own journey to wellness.