Training in SPEAKS Therapy
This training provides a comprehensive overview of the SPEAKS model, equipping participants with both the theoretical foundations and practical tools to deliver this emotion-focused intervention for adults with anorexia.
Key Learning Aims.
Teaching Approach.
Training is delivered in an interactive and supportive format, combining:
This training is ideal for clinicians working with eating disorders who want to enhance their practice—particularly those interested in working more effectively with emotion or with clients who feel ‘stuck’ in therapy.
It is also highly relevant for practitioners trained in Emotion Focused Therapy or Schema Therapy who wish to deepen their understanding or explore integrative approaches.
Given the high prevalence of neurodivergence among individuals with eating disorders, the training includes guidance on adapting therapeutic tasks to better meet the needs of neurodivergent clients.
This workshop can be booked by individual practitioners when spaces are available or the workshop can be hosted by clinical teams or EFT institutes as part of their wider training programme.
Please note: This training focuses on facilitating the SPEAKS emotional change process in therapy and does not cover eating disorder risk management or dietetic interventions.
This workshop is designed and delivered by Anna Oldershaw and accompanied by co-facilitator Lisa Roddam for larger groups
This 3-day workshop is available both in-person and online. Throughout 2025, SPEAKS training will be delivered in collaboration with Emotion-Focused Therapy Institutes, in the UK and Europe.
European trainings are bookable via local websites in 🇨🇿 Czech Republic (enquire here) 🇩🇪 Germany (enquire here) 🇨🇭 Switzerland (enquire here).
An online UK-based workshop is available for booking on this website below.
Our one day workshops focus in on a specific elements of the SPEAKS model and eating disorders presentations, including working with eating disorder parts in therapy, strong blocks to experiencing emotion, enhancing motivation for change and adapting interventions for neurodivergent clients.
An example of our SPEAKS-inspired workshops is the “I’m stuck!” workshop, which explores a common therapeutic challenge: when clients – and often therapists – feel stuck, whether at the beginning or midway through treatment. This one-day course helps therapists identify, understand, and work with ‘stuckness’ by introducing practical SPEAKS-informed strategies and interventions that support clients in regaining momentum, desire for change and emotional movement.
All short courses use interactive methods including teaching, videos, experiential skills practice, and small group work. Workshops can be tailored to the specific learning needs of a group or a team.
Our range of short SPEAKS-inspired workshops are ideal for clinicians seeking to enhance their practice with practical, experiential tools to support complex and/or ‘stuck’ clients. Workshops will be adapted to suit the skills and experience of the group. Previous training in EFT is therefore not essential. Workshops can be tailored to those with advanced EFT skills.
These workshops are usually delivered on request to International EFT Institutes or clinical teams.
Short SPEAKS workshops are tailored and delivered by Anna Oldershaw to meet the specific goals and needs of your institute or team. I offer a free initial consultation to explore your aims and discuss how I can support your team’s ongoing professional development.
Express interest to be contacted with details of where and when the next short SPEAKS workshop will be held.
If you run an institute or team and would like to discuss hosting a SPEAKS workshop, you can express interest for a free consultation call.
SPEAKS training is booked directly through me. Please follow the booking link and complete the application form or Contact Me.
Join our mailing list to be kept updated on all our upcoming training events. If there is a particular training you are keen to attend then emal me and let me know! We sometimes have extra capacity to run additional events if we have enough interest.
No, you don’t need previous training or experience in Schema Therapy or Emotion Focused Therapy to attend SPEAKS training. In the SPEAKS Foundations Training we cover the hypothesised change process and teach key tasks to facilitate this, which come from a variety of models but predominantly Emotion Focused Therapy and Schema Therapy. These tasks are taught in sufficient detail, with facilitated skills practice, to give delegates what they need to start using them in practice.
SPEAKS training and bespoke SPEAKS workshops are usually delivered online. Some bespoke SPEAKS workshops can be delivered in person to some services if in the SouthEast of England.
Emotion Speaks is the professional website of Dr Anna Oldershaw, clinical psychologist, Director of Emotion Focused Therapy Institute of England and co-developer of SPEAKS.
© 2023 Dr Anna Oldershaw. All rights reserved.
Website design by me&you