Internal family systems (IFS) therapy: An experiential introduction and working with protector parts

Build a strong foundation in internal family systems (IFS) therapy and develop practical skills for working effectively with protector parts in clinical practice.

Designed for mental health professionals, this two-day internal family systems (IFS) therapy workshop supports clinicians who are new to IFS, as well as those looking to strengthen their foundational skills. It offers a comprehensive, experiential introduction to the IFS model. It also builds practical skills for working with protector parts in therapy. Through a combination of teaching, guided experiential exercises, and a live demonstration, participants will develop practical tools for real-world clinical application.

Participants will learn the core principles of IFS therapy, including the roles of managers, firefighters, exiles, and Self-energy. The workshop also introduces the structure of an IFS-informed session. Participants will explore practical strategies for helping clients’ parts unblend, developing Self-to-part connection, identifying target parts, understanding protective parts’ concerns, and working skillfully with defenses and polarization.

Through meditation, reflection, and a Parts Mapping exercise, participants will gain experiential insight into their own internal system. This supports a deeper understanding of the model and its clinical application.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have a strong foundation in IFS therapy. They will also have practical tools to begin or deepen IFS-informed work with clients.

“This workshop is both personal and professional: explore your own inner parts as the most powerful way to learn the IFS model and apply it with clients. You will learn how to help your clients’ parts un-blend, identifying protectors and accessing Self-energy as a pathway towards healing.” – Cleo Haber.

What participants will learn:

• Core principles of internal family systems therapy
• The roles of protector parts (managers and firefighters), exiles, and Self-energy
• The structure and flow f an IFS-informed therapy session
• Practical strategies to help clients notice and unblend from parts
• Foundational skills for working with protector parts and client defenses
• Experiential understanding of parts through guided exercises and Parts Mapping
• Tools to begin integrating IFS therapy into clinical practice

Training overview:

Day 1: Foundations IFS therapy
Participants will be introduced to the foundational principles and structure of the IFS model. This day focuses on building a clear understanding of parts, Self-energy, and the flow of an IFS session, supported by experiential exercises and a live demonstration. Participants will explore their own internal system. through guided meditation and Parts Mapping, developing a felt sense of the model and how it can be applied in clinical practice.

Day 2: Working with protector parts in IFS therapy
Building on Day 1, participants will deepen their clinical skills in working with protector parts. This day focuses on understanding and engaging client defenses, supporting unblending, and developing strategies to work effectively with protective parts. Participants will learn how to facilitate self-to-part connection, identify target parts, and work with polarization, while gaining practical experience through exercises and case-based application.

Register now to build practical internal family systems therapy skills—from foundational concepts to working effectively with protector parts.

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