Full Course Description

2-Day Advanced Workshop: Clinical Applications of Internal Family Systems (IFS) with Frank Anderson MD

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Evaluate the steps of working with clients' “protective parts” to improve treatment outcomes as proposed by the IFS model.
  2. Differentiate between empathy and compassion as it relates to the IFS approach and improving the therapeutic process.
  3. Evaluate the evidence that supports meditation as beneficial to clinical outcomes when used in the IFS process of therapy.
  4. Assess and diagnose wounds connected to grief and loss; and describe two effective IFS interventions.
  5. Recommend how to address the “protector” fears as they arise for the client during the therapy session.
  6. Apply IFS methods to help trauma clients manage their overwhelming feelings.
  7. Articulate how to explain to clients the neuroscience of hyperarousal in their “extreme parts.”
  8. Demonstrate how the role of criticism and neglect from caregivers causes shame cycles in your clients and how parts-work breaks the cycle.
  9. Apply the “triggering agreement” intervention when working with clients around resolving parenting issues that arise for them.
  10. Demonstrate what “tracking the sequence” means as it applies to couples’ treatment.
  11. Analyze the necessity–and create modifications–when using IFS in an inpatient setting.
  12. Within the internal system, determine the parts of self that are associated with substance use disorders.
  13. Assess countertransference, including recognition of potential activation of therapist’s own reactive parts.

Outline

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

  • Comprehensive, compassionate, non-pathologizing treatment approach
  • Paradigm-shifting perspective on “psychopathology”
  • Easily integrated into other therapeutic modalities
  • Teach clients to access inner wisdom and self-compassion to heal traumatic wounds
Evolution of the Model
  • Development of the IFS model by Richard C. Schwartz, Ph.D.
  • IFS as an empirically validated treatment: Summary of research support
  • Goals of IFS therapy
  • Starting an IFS session and the flow of the model
The Neuroscience of IFS
  • The mind and the brain
  • Neurons-networks and parts
  • Meditation and self energy
  • Understanding the fear response

IFS STEP-BY-STEP

Step 1: Using Meditative Processes to Identify and Connect with a Target Part

  • Differentiate the person from the symptom
  • Access a state of compassion and curiosity essential for healing
  • Establish a relationship with the target part
  • Learn the history and benevolent intention behind the symptom
Step 2: Working with Protective Parts
  • Facilitate internal attachment work
  • Learn to address the fears/concerns of protective parts
  • Establish a trusting relationship with proactive and reactive parts
  • Resolve internal conflicts
  • Gain permission to proceed with healing
Step 3: Healing the Wound
  • Connect with the wounded part
  • Witness the pain rather than relive it
  • Retrieve the wounded part
  • Release/unburden thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations
  • Life without the wound, the post-healing process
Therapist Parts
  • Countertransference redefined
  • Identifying parts that get in the way
  • The Science of extreme reactions in therapists and clients

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF IFS

Trauma and Attachment

  • Roadblocks to healing trauma
  • Neurobiology of PTSD and Dissociation
  • Dealing with the extreme symptoms and staying in Self
  • Healing attachment wounds: What IFS offers
Depression and Anxiety
  • Differentiating feelings from symptoms
  • Address the biology and process the wound
  • Protection or genetics
Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder
  • Addressing psychotic parts
  • Differentiating psychosis from trauma dysregulation
  • Treating biological issues while addressing emotional pain
Substances and Addictions
  • Befriending addictive parts
  • Healing wounds or stopping use?
  • Addressing the biology and the behavior after healing
Eating Disorders
  • When food “abstinence” is not an option
  • Multiple eating parts
  • Self-led eating
Shame and Grief
  • The shamer and the shamed
  • Critical and neglect shame cycles
  • Loss, letting go, and healing
IFS With Specific Client Populations
  • Children and adolescents
  • Parenting
  • Couples
  • Groups and inpatient settings
  • LGBTQ
  • Spirituality and culture

Target Audience

  • Counselors
  • Social Workers
  • Psychologists
  • Therapists
  • Addiction Counselors
  • Nurses
  • Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Psychiatrists
  • Other Professionals Who Work within the Mental Health Fields

Copyright : 03/12/2020

Bessel van der Kolk Trauma Interview Series: Richard Schwartz, Ph.D., Developer and Founder of Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Demonstrate ways to integrate IFS into your clinical practice.
  2. Differentiate IFS parts and their roles.

Outline

  • Internal Family Systems Therapy
    • The roles in IFS
    • The Self
  • How the Therapist Shows Their Parts
  • Working with Passive Clients
  • IFS Role-Play
  • The IFS Roles
    • Managers
    • Firefighters
    • Protectors
    • Exiles
      • Witnessing

Target Audience

Counselors, Psychotherapists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Addiction Counselors, Case Managers, Marriage & Family Therapists, Nurses, Mental Health Professionals

Copyright : 09/04/2017