We Heart Therapy EP 107: Working on Self of the Therapist (SOT) Issues in EFT Supervision with EFT Trainer Senem Zeytinoglu
Jan 28, 2026
Dr. Senem Zeytinoğlu, ICEEFT-certified EFT trainer and founder of the Turkey Center for EFT, specializes in supervision and Self of the Therapist work. She discusses what Self of the Therapist means, why it is essential in supervision, how therapists’ attachment patterns and nervous system responses show up, and practical ways supervisors create safety and build therapists’ emotional regulation.
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What Self Of The Therapist Actually Means
- Self of the therapist (SOT) is the therapist's personal history, triggers, and vulnerabilities that are always present in the room.
- Senem Zeytinoğlu explains SOT shows up when clients discuss relatable issues and can either help or derail therapy depending on regulation.
Prioritize Regulation Before Technique
- Do prioritize therapist self-regulation before focusing on technique because emotional activation (amygdala) shuts down prefrontal capacity to use EFT interventions.
- Senem advises supervisors to help supervisees build regulation so their prefrontal cortex stays online in high-emotion moments.
A Supervisor Learned To Slow Down And Ask
- Dr. Anabelle shares a personal learning: as a natural pursuer she mistakenly rushed into SOT material and had it backfire.
- She learned to slow down and ask permission before exploring supervisees' vulnerability in supervision.
