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What is IFS?

Internal Family Systems, or IFS, is an evidence-based, non-pathologizing therapy model created by Dr. Richard Schwartz over 40 years ago.  The principal tenet of IFS is that the mind is multiple.  We all have different parts to our personalities, and they make up a dynamic, intrapsychic system.  You've probably had the experience of hearing yourself say, "A part of me wants that but a part of me doesn't."  That's not just your mind's confusion:  those are two very distinct parts with different jobs, feelings, and beliefs. 

 

Each of our parts has a role within our system, with parts "taking over" or "driving the bus" at different times.  Our parts fall into one of two categories:  Exiles or Protectors.  Our exiled parts are carrying the heavy feelings and beliefs (we call these burdens) that result from trauma and attachment injuries.  Our protective parts do their best to take care of these exiles so that they don't reexperience their previous trauma.  All of our parts have a positive intention for us--there are no "bad parts." 

 

In addition to our parts, we all have a Self.  Our Self contains the positive qualities and inherent wisdom that are the source of healing through IFS.  The Self has eight qualities:  curiosity, calmness, compassion, clarity, courage, creativity, confidence, and connectedness.  When we notice any of these qualities, we are accessing our healing Self-energy.

 

Therapy using the IFS model has the following four goals:

      1. Liberate parts from their extreme roles (i.e. help them to let go of the burdens they carry--we call this unburdening--and/or the roles they no longer enjoy).

     2. Restore trust in Self-leadership.

     3. Achieve balance, harmony, and wholeness, both internally and in our external world.

     4. Bring more Self-energy to external systems.

 

The model of IFS can be used with any issue your clients bring to you.  It is an incredibly healing, transformative model that will be an asset for you moving forward.

The Goals of this Training

The goal of Parts Work Using the Internal Family Systems Model is for you to have a complete working understanding of the IFS model that you can begin using immediately with your clients.  We want you to be able to begin using the model with the first client you see following the first weekend.  To that end, During Weekend 1 of the training, you will walk away knowing:

The basic tenets of the IFS model

What are parts:

      -Protective Parts:

                 -Managers

                -Firefighters

      -Exiles

How to find and explore your clients' parts

What is the Self

How to help your clients connect with Self-energy

The neuroscience and epigenetics behind parts

 

With the help of the six consultation groups you will attend following Weekend 1, you will develop a greater understanding of the model and have the opportunity to practice under the guidance of one of the trainers.  These consultation groups will also provide additional information about the model to deepen your understanding of including how parts work together.

 

During Weekend 2 of the training, we will be focusing on working with Exiles.  This is where true healing in IFS takes place.  Once you complete this weekend, you will have all of the information you need to work with your clients using the totality of the IFS model.  By attending the Weekend 2 you will have a working knowledge of:

           "The Healing Steps" we use to unburden exiles 

           The role of the IFS therapist

           How to notice your own parts during sessions.   

 

The final six consultation groups you will attend will help to further deepen your understanding and ability to work with the model.  These groups will also help you to notice your own parts that become triggered during session as well as your own "trailheads" to follow in order to do your own work. 

What We'll Be Doing

The Parts Work Using the Internal Family Systems Model is a very active, varied training program.  You will not just be sitting listening to us talk at you!  It is our belief that a variety of teaching modalities ensures that every participant will leave the training having had the opportunity to understand and absorb the information.  Each day of training will include a mix of the following:

           Didactive presentation

           Experiential exercises

           Live demonstrations by the trainers

           Practice groups

           Question and answers

Logistics

When:  Weekend 1 will be held on Friday and Saturday, October 20-21 from 8:30-4:30 pm.  Weekend 2 will be held (most likely) on Friday and Saturday, February 9-10 from 8:30-4:30.  The Mini-training groups will be run online on a weekly basis for one hour for 6 weeks after each weekend.  There will be various times to choose from.

Where:  Both weekends will be held at Hearten House, a beautiful experiential therapy space located in Salt Lake City, UT.

Cost:  Early Bird Admission $1,597 | Regular Admission $1,797 | Agency Groups /Bring 2 Friends $1,300 | Student Rate $1,200

This Training is for You if....

  1. You’re a licensed therapist

  2. You’re open to the idea of multiplicity and are ready for a new way of approaching your therapeutic work.

  3. You’ve been on the IFS-Institute wait list with no luck and are ready to understand and use the model.

  4. You’re ready to do a little (or a lot!) of your own work!

  5. You’ve done your own IFS therapy and would like to learn the model to use with clients.

This Training is Not for You if....

  1. You’ve been accepted into a formal Level 1 training through the IFS-Institute (it would be redundant for you).

  2. You’ve already completed a formal Level 1 training through the IFS-institute (again–it would be redundant).

  3. You’re perfectly happy continuing with the therapeutic model you’re currently using.

  4. You’re not ready to look at your own parts and do your own work (this is a necessary part of the process).

FAQs

1. Is the training in-person? Yes! We are thrilled to be providing an in-person training and feel that this leads to a far more fulfilling experience. There will be no hybrid option for the training, as we’ve attempted this in the past and did not find it to be as rewarding for the online participants. The Mini-training groups will be online, however.

2. Can I just do the first weekend? No. Because of the depth and breadth of the model, the training is broken into two weekends, both of which include extensive material. The second weekend includes vital information about IFS that won't be covered in the first weekend.

3. Do I have to do the Mini-trainings and Practices? Yes. In addition to this being the opportunity to practice the model under the guidance of one of our trainers, you will be learning additional information about the model in these groups. You must complete five of the six groups in order to attend Weekend 2, and you must complete five of the six groups after Weekend 2 in order to earn your Certificate of Completion.

4. Can I call myself an IFS therapist after this training? NO. This training is not a part of the IFS-Institute, the only body that offers formal IFS trainings that then allow you to refer to yourself as an IFS therapist. However, upon completion of this training, you would be considered an IFS-informed therapist.

5. Does this training count as a formal Level 1 and/or Level 2 IFS training? No. Only trainings offered through the IFS-Institute are formal Level 1 and Level 2 trainings.

6. Will I be getting CEUs? Yes! This class will provide 36 CEU credits in Utah.

Call 

435-274-7080

Email 

office@positivepresencesolutions.com

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