Full Course Description

Section 1 | Intro to the IFS Theory & Model

Introducing our most comprehensive IFS therapy training yet – specifically designed to get you using one of today’s most in-demand approaches!


… so you can work with your clients’ internal parts and empower them to heal the core issues behind their trauma, anxiety, depression and more.


There’s no waitlists. No prerequisites. And, no overviews that leave you asking, “but where do I start?”


Just the clinical roadmap you need to start using IFS Therapy in your practice right now.


You’ll join Stacy Ruse, a certified IFS Therapist and IFS consultant for a robust learning experience compete with in-depth training, demonstrations, and practical real-world applications that will deepen your understanding of the IFS framework and enhance your therapeutic skills.


At over 23 hours of self-paced on-demand training, this truly comprehensive courses immerses you in the language and techniques of Internal Family Systems therapy – all on your schedule and at a price you can afford.


So, if you’ve been looking to add the non-pathologizing approach that has the therapy world buzzing, look no further.
Register now and join thousands of therapists who’ve already transformed their treatment with the power of Internal Family Systems therapy.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Explain the brief history and development of the IFS model.
  2. Describe the basic assumptions and holistic approach of IFS.
  3.  Discuss the concepts of inclusivity, cultural humility, and competency in IFS therapy.
  4. Identify the therapeutic and clinical applications of IFS.
  5. Describe the 8 C's and their significance in therapist self-qualities.
  6. Explain the concept of Holding Self-energy and the 5 P's for Self-lead therapists.
  7. Analyze the benefits of Self-energy and therapist presence in the therapeutic process.
  8. Describe the importance of compassion, connection, and understanding in therapy.
  9. Discuss strategies for setting appropriate boundaries in the therapeutic relationship.
  10. Identify personal biases and transference issues that may arise in therapy through the framework of IFS.
  11. Explore the principles of cultural humility and competency in therapeutic practice.
  12. Explain how IFS is rooted in neuroscience and functions as a “bottom-up” treatment method.
  13. Provide a basic understanding of neuroscience relevant to therapists.
  14. Differentiate between “sensing” and “making sense of” internal experiences.
  15. Describe the role of the autonomic nervous system, including Polyvagal theory, in IFS therapy.
  16. Analyze the relationship between fear circuitry and the development of trauma-related conditions.
  17. Define the concept of parts and their role in the internal system.
  18. Define the concept of Self and its significance in IFS therapy.
  19. Discuss the characteristics and roles of protective parts, including managers and firefighters.
  20. Identify common archetypes and traits associated with protective parts.
  21. Define the concept of “unblending” in IFS.
  22. Explain the concept of 'backlash' in the context of protective parts.
  23. Define exiles and explore their role as wounded and shadowed parts.
     

Outline

Introduction to the IFS Model and Theory

  • Brief history of IFS

 

Basic assumptions and holistic approach

  • Inclusivity, cultural humility, and competency
  • IFS therapeutic and clinical applications

 

The Self-Led Therapist 

  • The 8 C’s: Self qualities 
  • Holding Self-energy: 5 P’s for Self-lead therapists
  • The benefits of Self-energy and therapist presence
  • Compassion, connection, and understanding
  • Setting appropriate boundaries
  • Biases and transference in the therapeutic relationship
  • Cultural humility and competency

 

Neurobiology, Neuroscience, and IFS

  • IFS a bottom-up treatment method rooted in neuroscience
  • Neuroscience 101 for therapists — what you need to know
  • Sensing vs. making sense of things
  • Stress reactions and the autonomic nervous system: Polyvagal 101
  • Fear circuitry and the development of PTSD, trauma, dissociation, and complex trauma


The Internal System Through the IFS-Lens

  • Defining parts: who and what are parts?
  • Defining Self: who and what is Self?
  • The burdened system
  • Protective Parts
    • Managers: the proactive parts
      • Common roles and traits of manager parts
      • Examples and common archetypes 
    • Firefighters: the reactive parts 
      • Common roles and traits of manager parts
      • Examples and common archetypes
      • What is ‘backlash’?   
    • Exiles: the wounded & shadowed parts 
      • Burdens, examples, and understanding

 

Understanding IFS in 6 Phases

  • Understanding the situation: Mapping internal and external factors
  • Engaging the client: Intro, relationship, target, and tracking
  • Permission to work with the protective system
  • Healing exiles and internal wounds
  • Integration of the work: Adapting to changes 
  • Completion & closure: appreciation and closing sessions

 

Foundational IFS Step-by-Step

  • Unblending the system for emotional regulation
    • Goals for unblending the system
    • Mapping and externalizing the system
    • The Why, When, and How of unblending
    • Statements for unblending 
  • The 6 F’s of IFS: Getting to Know Parts
    • Find, Focus, Flesh out, Feel towards, beFriend, and Fears
  • Shifting to inner story & connection
  • In-sight work
    • Self to part work
    • Speaking for parts
    • Benefits to in-sight work
    • When to use and examples
  • Direct access work
    • Implicit vs. explicit 
    • Therapist Self to part work
    • Part to part work
    • Benefits to direct access work
    • When to use and examples

 

Working with Protectors

  • Creating safety and getting permission
  • Targets and use of trailheads
  • Resistance as a protection
  • Distinguish between parts and Self
  • Significance of appreciation
  • Assess ability for in-sight or direct work
  • Getting to know managers
    • Specific goals, issues, and questions
    • How to work with
  • Getting to know firefighters
    • Specific goals, issues, and questions
    • How to work with
  • Common protector concerns and fears

 

Working with and Unburdening Exiles

  • Getting to know exiles
  • Trauma, attachment wounds, and exiles
    • What causes parts to get exiled and shadowed?
    • Common traits, burdens; legacy and cultural burdens
  • Common exile concerns and fears
  • Safely working with exiles
  • Unburdening process Step by Step
    • Self to part relationship and preventing overwhelm
    • Witnessing, invitation, do-overs, and retrieval
    • Integration of work and additional considerations

 

Difficulties and Challenges 

  • Internal polarizations and alignment
    • Types, Identifying, goals, and examples
    • Steps to working with polarizations
  • Therapist parts interfering
    • Common therapist parts
  • When burdens and parts come back?
  • Predicting ‘backlash’
  • Complex systems - hard to track; Lack of client Self-energy
  • Blended parts not unblending
  • Lack of awareness in the body

 

Adaptations and Integration of IFS

  • Attachment-based IFS
  • Somatic based IFS
  • Complex Trauma, and Dissociation
  • Spirituality, Transpersonal psychology, and IFS
  • IFS integration with other models 

 

Evidence, Research Limitations, and Treatment Risks

  • Examining the current research
  • Challenges to the research and research limitations
  • Addressing potential risks 
  • Contraindications and other considerations

Target Audience

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

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Section 2 | The Self-Led Therapist

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Section 3 | Neurobiology, Neuroscience & IFS Therapy

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Section 4 | The Internal System through the IFS Therapy Lens

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Section 5 | Understanding IFS Therapy in 6 Phases

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Section 6 | Foundational IFS Therapy Step-by-Step

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Section 7 | Working with Protectors

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Section 8 | Working with and Unburdening Exiles

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Section 9 | Overcome Difficulties and Challenges

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Section 10 | Adaptation and Integration of IFS Therapy

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Section 11 | Evidence, Research Limitations, and Treatment Risks

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