Foundations of Internal Family Systems Therapy

This course will provide participants with a comprehensive introduction to the foundational principles, concepts, and techniques of the Internal Family Systems model. This training is designed for mental health therapists who wish to integrate IFS into their clinical practice. This is a beginner’s level training, so no prior IFS experience or knowledge is necessary.

This training will include the following:

• 1. Overview of IFS Model: The training begins with an in-depth overview of the Internal Family Systems model, developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz. Participants will learn about the theoretical underpinnings of IFS, including its understanding of the mind as composed of various parts, each with its own unique qualities and motivations.
• 2. Basic Concepts and Principles: Participants will be introduced to core concepts and principles of IFS, such as the idea of “Self” as the compassionate and calm core of the person, and the concept of “parts” as distinct aspects of the psyche that carry emotions, beliefs, behaviors, and experiences.
• 3. Building Access to Self-Energy: A central goal of IFS therapy is to help clients cultivate Self-energy, the ability to access their core of calmness, compassion, and clarity. Participants will learn ways to understand and explain the concept of Self-energy, strategies to build more access to Self-energy within themselves and their clients, and strengthen relationships between parts and Self.
• 4. Understanding Parts: Trainees will learn how to identify and understand different types of parts, including protectors, exiles, and managers, and how these parts interact within an individual’s internal system.
• 5. Working with Protectors: A significant portion of the training will focus on working with protective parts of the psyche. Participants will learn techniques for building rapport with protectors, understanding their positive intentions, how to interview protectors, and help clients build a compassionate relationship with their parts.
• 6. Healing Exiles: Trainees will explore approaches for working with young, vulnerable parts aka exiled parts of the self. This involves an IFS process of healing called Unburdening.
• 7. Experiential Learning and Practice: Trainees will experience a blend of live and recorded IFS therapy sessions and skills, mindfulness exercises to create felt sense of own parts and Self energy, and have the opportunity to practice essential IFS skills in dyads.
• 8. Ethical Considerations and Integration: Trainees will also explore ethical considerations related to using the IFS model in therapy and strategies for integrating IFS techniques into their existing therapeutic approach.