Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy: An experiential introduction to the model

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is one of the most popular and effective evidence-based approaches used today. This training will provide an experiential introduction to IFS therapy for clinicians who are curious to learn about IFS and are seeking guidance on how to begin working with clients informed by this approach. The training will consist of didactic teaching, experiential exercises and a live demonstration of the model.

As a participant, you will be guided through personal meditation exercises to get to know parts of your own system and engage in a ‘Parts Mapping’ exercise. This will help you gain a felt sense of the approach, to better facilitate the model with your clients. You will have the opportunity to watch a demonstration session and have a chance to practice the model. There will be ample time for questions and discussion.

Through this training, you will learn the basic principles and structure of an IFS session and gain an understanding of how to approach working with your clients informed by this approach. You will learn how to name and speak for your parts and gain knowledge about the different parts of the internal system: i) the protective parts—managers and firefighters ii) exiled parts that hold wounds from the past and iii) Self-energy which is not a part; everyone has a ‘Self’ that can bring harmony and healing to the system.

*Please note: If you are willing to volunteer to be a participant in the live demonstration, please indicate this during the registration (does not guarantee that you will be the volunteer).

Learning objectives:

• Gain an understanding and learn the basic principles of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy
• Participate in experiential exercises to get to know parts of their own system
• Learn the structure of an IFS session
• Gain the tools to begin working with clients informed by this model