Full Course Description

The Integrated Therapist with Bessel van der Kolk, MD, Richard Schwartz, PhD, & Frank Anderson, MD

In this opening session of the course, Dr. Frank Anderson facilitates a dialogue between world-renowned trauma researcher, clinician and author Dr. Bessel van der Kolk and the creator of Internal Family Systems, Dr. Richard Schwartz.

Join these experts in a lively discussion as to why the integration of treatment modalities is important as well as identifying when integration is ineffective or potentially harmful.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Differentiate between models of treatment that allow for integration and “pure” modalities and elaborates on why “pure” modalities are more difficult to integrate.
  2. Debate whether the concept of “Self” is a trait that all people possess within themselves at all times or whether “Self” is developed through a safe, therapeutic alliance and external relationships.
  3. Analyze whether Phase Oriented Treatment is a necessary precursor to effective treatment or whether trauma treatment can be effective without stabilization as a foundation.

Outline

Why is Integration Important? 

  • Different Modalities Are Finding Different Pieces of the Puzzle  
  • “Pure” Models 

Core Biopsychological Elements 

  • The Brain is Formed by Experience 
  • Self-Cultivation 

Self-Observation 

  • Capacity to Be “With” vs. “In” The Experience 
  • Internal vs. External Relationships 

Phase Oriented Treatment & the Window of Tolerance  

  • IFS vs. Phase Oriented Treatment 
  • Skepticism of Phase Oriented Treatment & Stabilization 
  • “Self” & the Window of Tolerance 

Copyright : 03/01/2021

Internal Family Systems and the Integration of Neuroscience & Trauma Treatment

Join Dr. Anderson as he presents how Internal Family Systems as a therapy model differs from traditional phase-oriented trauma treatment models. He shows you how the model addresses extreme or self-destructive behaviors without creating reactivity. Expert in explaining material in easy to understand language, he will also teach you how to apply IFS core concepts to repair the client’s internal disconnections created by trauma.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Differentiate IFS conceptualizations of trauma treatment from traditional phase orientated treatment.
  2. Address extreme or self-destructive behaviors without creating reactivity.
  3. Structure and sequence IFS trauma interventions.
  4. Apply the core concepts of IFS intervention to repair the internal disconnections created by trauma.

Outline

Universal neurobiological components of trauma 

Key IFS concepts and overlap with alternate therapeutic models 

  • Sensorimotor psychotherapy 
  • EMDR 
  • DBT 
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy 
  • Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Processing 
  • Psychedelic medicine 

Integrating neuroscience, trauma treatment and IFS 

Basic assumptions of IFS 

  • Impact of trauma on system organization 
  • Production of symptoms 
  • Categories of parts  
  • Extreme parts that block therapeutic progress 
  • Self-energy – accessing through blocking parts 
     

Steps of the IFS model 

  • The six F’s 
  • Restoring internal connections between self and parts 
  • Conceptualization of symptom presentation 

IFS approach to managing symptoms 

  • Identifying triggered parts in therapists 

Phase oriented treatment and IFS differences 

  • Dealing with extreme or self-destructive parts 
  • Addressing traumatic overwhelm 

Comorbidities – symptomatic expressions of varied parts 

  • Separating biological, genetic and psychiatric symptom origins 

The healing process across therapeutic orientations 

  • Steps of IFS unburdening 

Target Audience

  • Counselors
  • Psychologists
  • Social Workers
  • Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Addiction Counselors
  • Psychotherapists
  • Case Managers
  • Nurses
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Other Medical Professionals

Copyright : 03/05/2021

EMDR & IFS: The Power of Modality Integration for Improved Treatment Outcomes

Internal Family Systems and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are found by many clinicians to be of high therapeutic value when used alone. But have you wondered what it would be like to integrate these two approaches together?

Join Dr. Korn for this exciting presentation and interview that explores combining these two approaches and compares the similarities and differences. This exploration includes the importance of resource development and installation (RDI) in trauma work, helping flooded clients, having clients move at their own pace, using cognitive interweaves and interventions, and managing comorbidities.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Integrate EMDR and IFS skills with therapy clients into practice.
  2. Implement techniques to boost resource development and installation (RDI) with clients.
  3. Determine which cognitive interweaves and interventions can be used to effectively change behavior.

Outline

Adapting EMDR to complex trauma cases 

  • Resource development and installation (RDI)  
  • Importance of RDI in trauma work 

Integrating EMDR and IFS approaches  

  • Benefits of using EMDR and IFS together  
  • Helping flooded clients  
  • Having clients move at their own pace  
  • Using cognitive interweaves and interventions  
  • Differences of the models  
  • Importance of screening for dissociation 
  • Managing comorbidities 

Target Audience

  • Counselors 
  • Social Workers 
  • Psychologists 
  • Case Managers 
  • Addiction Counselors 
  • Therapists 
  • Marriage & Family Therapists 
  • Nurses 
  • Other Mental Health Professionals

Copyright : 01/25/2021

Cognitive Processing Therapy & IFS for Trauma Treatment: Exploring the Relationship Between Cognition Based Approaches and Parts of Self

This presentation with CPT expert Dr. Kate Chard, will give you an overview of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) as an evidence-based treatment for treating trauma. In this interview presentation hosted by Dr. Frank Anderson, Dr. Kate Chard explains the model and as CPT as a form of cognitive therapy that helps individuals heal from their trauma by helping them confront old beliefs and reconstruct there narrative of why the trauma occurred. The presentation includes a discussion around the differences and similarities between distinct therapy approaches.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Describe the theory underlying cognitive processing therapy.
  2. Distinguish differences and similarities between CPT and IFS.
  3. Demonstrate how to work with distorted beliefs when treating trauma.
  4. Apply effective strategies to help clients activate the frontal cortex.

Outline

Overview of CPT 

  • Types of trauma that are treated through CPT 
  • Neurobiology of trauma 
  • Amygdala reaction and trauma 
  • Targeting the prefrontal cortex 
  • The impact of beliefs on trauma 

Stages of CPT 

  • Stuck points 
  • Challenging beliefs 
  • Total impact 

Distorted Beliefs 

  • Childhood beliefs 
  • Religious beliefs 
  • Cultural beliefs 

Comorbidities and CPT 

  • Substance use 
  • Depression 
  • Personality disorder 

CPT and bodily responses to trauma 

  • Physical sensations as feelings 
  • Creating new neuropathways 

Integrating CPT 

  • CPT and other therapies 
  • When it does not fit well 

Target Audience

  • Counselors 
  • Psychologists 
  • Social Workers 
  • Marriage and Family Therapists 
  • Addiction Counselors 
  • Psychotherapists 
  • Case Managers 
  • Nurses 
  • Nurse Practitioners 
  • Other Medical Professionals 

Copyright : 03/04/2021

Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) & IFS for Trauma & Dissociation

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Utilize Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy and Internal Family Systems models to improve clinical outcomes for clients.
  2. Formulate an approach to treating people with a trauma history to improve client level of functioning.
  3. Integrate the client-therapist relationship to improve client engagement and alleviate symptoms of dissociation.

Outline

Models for treatment of post-traumatic dissociation 

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) 
  • Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy AEDP) 
  • Similarities and differences in the models 

AEDP model 

  • Focus on emotions, attachment, and affect, not cognitions 
  • Psychodynamic roots and formulation 
  • Supervision 
    • Includes client, therapist and client, therapist 
    • IFS and AEDT are aligned in this approach 
  • Use of self 
    • Strong use of therapeutic relationship to heal attachment wounds 
    • Appropriate self-disclosure in IFS and AEDP 
  • Intrarelational aspect 
    • Client 
    • Client’s dissociative self-state 
    • Therapist 
  • 4-state model of emotional process 
    • Defensive, dysregulated 
      • Cope and function 
    • Core affect and emotional experience overlap with sensorimotor 
      • Fear is present in spite of safety 
    • Transformational 
      • Mastery, pride, relief 
    • Self-energy
      • Internal connection, serenity, wisdom 
  • Limitations 
    • Not great with bipolar 1 or psychosis 
    • Not compatible with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) 
  • Transformance 
    • Inherent drive and desire for healing, expansive life, growth, mastery 
      • Opposite of resistance 

Target Audience

  • Counselors 
  • Psychologists 
  • Social Workers 
  • Marriage and Family Therapists 
  • Addiction Counselors 
  • Psychotherapists 
  • Case Managers 
  • Nurses 
  • Nurse Practitioners 
  • Other Mental Health Professionals 

Copyright : 01/29/2021

Frank Anderson Q&A Call - 12/9/21 Recording

Copyright : 12/09/2021

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy & IFS: Trauma Informed Choices When Working Within the Mind and the Body

In this engaging conversational session, Janina Fisher, PhD, a nationally and nationally recognized psychotherapist, consultant, and author, to learn about Sensorimotor Psychotherapy – and the integration of SP with IFS.

Explore the key theoretical premises, therapeutic foundations and application through experience-based examples. This session gives attention treating trauma through the integration of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy with Internal Family Systems (IFS) and with other trauma-informed therapeutic modalities. 

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Formulate key Sensorimotor Psychotherapy principles, foundations, and application.
  2. Determine how Sensorimotor Psychotherapy approaches can improve treatment outcomes.
  3. Analyze clinical choices for integrating trauma-informed treatment interventions.

Outline

  • Basic premises of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy 
  • Working with the mind and the body 
  • Discerning patterns 
  • Evoking organicity and curiosity 
  • Somatic resources 
  • Grounding approaches  
  • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and IFS 
  • Keeping the observant, compassionate mind 

Target Audience

  • Counselors 
  • Psychologists 
  • Social Workers 
  • Marriage and Family Therapists 
  • Addiction Counselors 
  • Psychotherapists 
  • Case Managers 
  • Nurses 
  • Nurse Practitioners 
  • Other Medical Professionals 

Copyright : 01/28/2021

DBT & IFS Strategies for Addressing Emotion Regulation, Symptom Reduction and Mindfulness

Join Dr. Lane Pederson as he and Dr. Anderson in a lively discussion that delves into the essential aspects and assumptions of the Dialectical Behavior model. Compare and contrast these two theoretical models and learn ways to embrace DBT Skill to use with an IFS approach. Leave this session with ways to create this integration in a way that can improve client treatment outcomes.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Determine similarities and differences between DBT and IFS.
  2. Evaluate DBT’s four modules to put to practical use in subsequent sessions with clients.
  3. Employ validation and Wise Mind strategies to improve the therapeutic relationship in subsequent sessions.

Outline

History and uses of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) 

  • DBT history with Borderline Personality Disorder 
  • Flexibility of DBT 
  • DBT and other diagnoses 
  • Dialectical Philosophy. Dialectics explained 
  • Polarization and underlying conflicts 
  • Integrating views, thoughts and feelings 

DBT Model Overview

  • Differences between DBT and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 
  • Emotions, dysregulation, problem-solving, and validation 
  • DBT modules 
  • External environment and internal environment 
  • The DBT process:  from validation to the corrective experience 
  • DBT group therapy vs. individual therapy 

DBT skills 

  • Mindfulness 
  • Emotional Regulation 
  • Interpersonal Effectiveness 
  • Distress tolerance 
  • Distress Tolerance vs. Emotional Regulation 

DBT and IFS Verbiage: similarities and differences in theoretical frameworks 

  • The role of the therapeutic relationship in DBT and IFS 
  • IFS Intent vs. Effect 
  • DBT mindfulness and acceptance and IFS self-energy 
  • DBT validation and IFS permission 
  • DBT distress tolerance and IFS firefighter and wounded reactions 
  • DBT stages of therapy and IFS growing trust in the Self 

Copyright : 01/25/2021

Integrating Psychedelic Medicines and Psychotherapy with IFS (Internal Family Systems) and Other Modalities

Interest in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is growing – and many mental health professionals are keen to understand the science, the state of the evidence and how psychedelics will influence their practice.

Join Dr. Call as she brings you an in-depth look at what medications are currently under investigation and which clients may benefit. Learn what a typical integrative ketamine session entails and the role of the therapist in the sessions.

Benefit from a lively discussion about the myths and fears of using this kind of medication with your clients and learn more about how to further your knowledge and skills in this arena.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Determine what patients may benefit from integrated psychedelic medicines and psychotherapy.
  2. Develop protocol of a session with integrated model of therapy that could include psychedelic medications.
  3. Assess possible pros/ cons of including psychedelic medications in integrated therapy.

Outline

Psychedelic Medications 

  • Fears within our culture 
  • Learning from other traditions 
  • Benefits that arose from these medications 

Utilizing psychedelic medications as a treatment 

  • Personal experiences that led to change in perception 
  • FDA approval 
  • Possible treatment targets 

Setup: a typical psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy session 

  • Set up of office 
  • Role of therapist 
  • Length of session 

The (necessary!) post-integration session 

  • Unburdening of patient 
  • Move from directive role of therapist to allowing inherent wisdom to emerge 
  • Discussion of state of mind coming into session 

Current research/limitations of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy 

  • More research is ongoing 
  • Drug interactions with medications 
  • Match up patient’s presenting problem with medication 
  • Medication may work for patient and one point and not others 

Resources to expand clinician training 

  • CE trainings 
  • California Institute of Integral Studies 
  • Polaris Insight Center  
  • Fluence 
  • Ketamine Training Center 

Copyright : 01/22/2021

Putting the Pieces Together: Course Closing with Frank Anderson, MD

Join Dr. Anderson for this closing presentation that concludes the Integration of IFS and various psychotherapy methods used effectively in the treatment of trauma.

Program Information

Target Audience

  • Counselors 
  • Psychologists 
  • Social Workers 
  • Marriage and Family Therapists 
  • Addiction Counselors 
  • Psychotherapists 
  • Case Managers 
  • Nurses 
  • Nurse Practitioners 
  • Other Medical Professionals 

Copyright : 03/11/2021

Frank Anderson Q&A Call - 2/10/2022 Recording

Copyright : 02/10/2022

Living Legends Panel Discussion Recording #1

Copyright : 06/02/2021

Living Legends Panel Discussion Recording #2

Copyright : 07/07/2021