Local Learning

Weathering the Storm Within and Between

Attachment-Focused Work with Complex Trauma

Presenter: Ileana Ungureanu, MD, PhD, LMFT
Friday, April 24, 2026
10:00 am–12:15 pm CDT
Virtual via Zoom

About the Workshop

Complex trauma, C-PTSD has enduring effects on emotional regulation, identity development, and relational functioning, shaping how individuals experience themselves and engage in intimate relationships across the lifespan. Participants will explore C-PTSD impact through an attachment-based, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) framework for working with complex trauma in relational contexts. Attention will be given to how trauma influences experience of emotions, attachment needs, and negative interactional cycles that organize patterns of connection and disconnection between partners. Core EFT and trauma-informed relational principles that promote emotional safety, responsiveness, secure attachment, and relational healing will be presented.

Learning Objectives

1. Attendees will be able to define complex trauma and C-PTSD and describe their systemic and developmental impacts on emotional regulation, identity development, and relational functioning.
2. Attendees will be able to explain C-PTSD from an attachment-based, relational perspective, including its influence on internal working models and attachment strategies in intimate partnerships.
3. Attendees will be able to conceptualize couple dynamics affected by complex trauma through an EFT and trauma-informed systemic lens and apply core EFT interventions and trauma-informed relational principles to promote emotional safety, responsiveness, secure attachment, and relational healing in couples impacted by C-PTSD.

About the Presenter

Dr. Ileana Ungureanu is an Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Counseling at Governors State University in University Park, Illinois. She earned her Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Dr. Ungureanu’s scholarly and clinical work centers on trauma, grief and loss, and the impact of chronic medical conditions on couple and family dynamics. In addition to her academic role, she contributes to the professional community as a member of the Board of Directors for the Chicago Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).

More Information

• • • CE Credit: Participants attending the seminar will earn 2 CE credits for attending the entire program.
      • 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.
    • Zoom meeting 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
Non-members – $45
Members – $35

• • ChicagoEFT members – login to the website before registering to receive member rates. If you not yet a ChicagoEFT member, see our Membership page for more information on how to join today.
  • Registration closes Wednesday, April 22nd, 6:00 pm CDT.