2025 ICEEFT Award Recipients

2025 Research Fellow Award

awarded to: Jonathan Sandberg

The ICEEFT Board is proud to announce that Jonathan Sandberg, PhD, is the 2025 recipient of the ICEEFT Research Fellow award. Jonathan stood out among several worthy candidates for his on going contributions to EFT literature and through his scholarship, teaching, and practice. Jonathan is a professor in the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University where his research focuses on the relationship between emotional/physical health problems and marital dynamics, particularly attachment security. His EFT-related contributions include the study of learning EFT, the application of EFT to Spanish-speaking cultures, and the development of the BARE assessment tool. In addition, Jonathan has published numerous articles relating to the experiences of racial and ethnic minority individuals, couples, and families, and their experiences in therapy and with mental health in general. He is a certified EFT Therapist and Supervisor with decades of experience working with families, couples and individuals. Congratulations Jonathan and thank you for your dedicated effort to support the mission of ICEEFT and the development of EFT throughout the world.

2025 John Douglas Award, North America

awarded to: Becky Wofford

ICEEFT is pleased to name Becky Wofford a recipient of the John Douglas Award for 2025 for her contributions to the expansion of EFT in Atlanta. With a masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Becky currently serves on the Board for the Atlanta Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy (ACEFT) as the Chair of Community Connection. Becky has provided steady, thoughtful leadership by guiding her team in offering a consistent stream of engaging trainings, meaningful community events, and the intentional development of a strong, capable facilitator team. Her leadership reflects both a deep commitment to the EFT model and a genuine care for the people who practice it. Because of her efforts, the Atlanta community continues to grow in depth, cohesion, and clinical excellence in EFT.

2025 John Douglas Award, International

awarded to: Hendrik Weiss

ICEEFT is pleased to name Hendrik Weiss a recipient of the John Douglas Award for 2025, for his outstanding and sustained contributions to the development of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) in Germany. As a certified EFT therapist and supervisor, he has played a pivotal role in building a strong, ethically grounded, and clinically skilled EFT community within German-speaking contexts. Through his leadership as a co-founder and board member of EFT Community Deutschland e.V., Hendrik has helped establish vital professional structures that support training, supervision, collegial exchange, and adherence to international EFT standards. His dedication to supervision—across couples, individual, and family EFT (EFFT)—has significantly shaped the next generation of EFT clinicians, fostering depth, rigor, and fidelity to attachment-based practice.

Hendrik’s work is marked by a rare combination of clinical excellence, generosity as a mentor, and commitment to collaboration. His contributions have not only expanded access to high-quality EFT supervision and training in Germany but have also strengthened the connection between the international EFT community and local clinical realities. This award honors his enduring impact on the growth, integrity, and future of EFT in Germany.