IN PERSON EVENT

Attachment and Forgiveness

Infidelity As An Attachment Wound

Presenters: Natalia Gilabert and Sam Jinich, PhD
In Person: Depaul University, Loop Campus
Thu-Fri October 16-17, 2025
9:00 am – 4:30 pm CDT

About the Workshop

Infidelity can shake the very foundation of a relationship, leaving both partners feeling lost, hurt, and disconnected; but healing is possible. This transformative workshop is designed for therapists who want to guide couples through the profound pain of betrayal and toward deeper, more secure emotional bonds using the principles of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT).

Attendees will learn with the help of the structure of EFCT and the EFCT Tango, specific, tangible and accessible skills that can be readily applied with clients dealing with the aftermath of an infidelity. Through expert guidance, interactive exercises, real-world case discussions, and watching recorded sessions, attendees will hone their clinical skills in working with this type of rupture to safe connection.  We will explore how infidelity is not just a breach of trust but an attachment wound—one that can be understood, processed, and repaired. You’ll learn how to help couples move beyond blame and shame, to the type of safety, and openness that leads to genuine forgiveness and renewed intimacy.

Learning Objectives

1. Attendees will be able to assess the impact of an attachment injury.
2. Attendees will describe how to track an injury-specific negative cycle.
3. Attendees will demonstrate knowledge of the use of the EFT Tango in Stage 1 to deescalate a couple dealing with the aftermath of an attachment injury.
4. Attendees will list the specific moves of the EFT Tango to promote deeper vulnerable exploration and expression of emotions related to experiencing infidelity and to promote empathy and the vulnerable expression of regret to create the necessary conditions for forgiveness, and the possibility for rebuilding trust and reconciliation.

About the Presenters

Natalia Gilabert

Natalia Gilabert is a Clinical Psychologist with 25 years of experience as an individual and couples psychotherapist. She is an EFT Certified Trainer and trains therapists in Latin America (Argentina, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Ecuador) and Spain. As the co-Founder and Academic Director of the “TFE Argentina” Center, intended to provide official ICEEFT training in the Spanish-speaking world, she directs and teaches emotional reconnection workshops for couples such as “Hold meTight” in Argentina and Chile.

Sam Jinich, PhD

Sam Jinich, PhD is a clinical psychologist in private practice since 1995. He is currently the Director and Trainer of the San Francisco Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy. Sam was born in Mexico City and did his undergraduate and graduate studies in the United States. He has since gained extensive experience working with couples from diverse backgrounds, helping them to navigate through numerous relationship challenges. As a bilingual and bicultural trainer in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Sam has been responsible for bringing this model to Spanish speaking countries and beginning in 2015, introduced and for most, firmly established the model in Mexico, Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Brazil, Chile and Spain. Along with Natalia Gilabert, he is co-founder and co-director of the International Center “EFT Academia”, dedicated to teaching EFCT Specialization Courses.

More Information

• • Register early to save your spot. Space is limited!
  • Event Address: Depaul University Loop Campus, Depaul Club Room, 1 E Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604.
  • Prerequisite: Completion of EFT Externship is Required for this workshop.
  • CE Credit: Participants attending the seminar will earn 12 CE credit for attending the entire program. Partial credits will not be offered.
    • ChicagoEFT is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs (#168.000220), Psychologists (#268.000137) and for LCSWs and LCPCs (#159.000961). ChicagoEFT maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • More details will be sent out to all registrants after registration closes. Please add info@chicagoEFT.com to your contacts to avoid having this email sent to your spam folder.

Registration Cost – $445
CE Credits – $30
Save on your ticket cost!

• • TWO WAYS TO SAVE
    • Use coupon code EARLYBIRD before June 7th for $20 off your ticket, available to both ChicagoEFT members and nonmembers.
    • ChicagoEFT members, login to the website before registering to receive member rates. If you are interested in becoming a ChicagoEFT member today, see our Membership page for more information.
  • Registration closes Tuesday, October 14th, 6:00 pm CDT.