Two-Day Introduction to the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model: Theory and Skills Practice
Thursday, May 25, 2023 – Friday, May 26, 2023 | EDMONTON, AB
DESCRIPTION
After decades of clinical innovation and recent scientific research, the empirically validated Internal Family Systems (IFS) model has been shown to be effective at improving clients’ general functioning and well-being. This paradigm-shifting model provides clinicians with procedures for helping clients with the most challenging mental health profiles compassionately connect with the wounded, burdened, and traumatized parts of their systems.
The IFS model provides a compassionate, respectful, non-pathologizing approach to understanding the organization and functioning of the human psyche. IFS embraces and celebrates the natural multiplicity of the mind. Its assumption that every part of the internal system has good intention and valuable resources allows clinicians to approach even the most troubling of “symptoms” with curiosity and respect. IFS offers therapists a powerful and effective set of tools for empowering clients with a wide range of clinical profiles to work effectively with their wounded parts, resulting in:
• a way to enter clients’ inner ecology without an overemphasis on containment and stabilization
• symptom reduction, increased internal harmony and improved functioning for clients
• deep self-healing within even the most troubled clients
Through instruction, video demonstration, experiential exercises and skills practice, Alexia D. Rothman, Ph.D., Certified IFS therapist and consultant and colleague of Dr. Richard Schwartz (founder of IFS) will show you step-by-step how to apply the most effective, empirically validated IFS interventions to help your clients connect with and understand their conflicting parts to facilitate deep, lasting healing.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Theorize regarding the multiplicity of the mind as a spontaneously and naturally occurring and observed phenomenon in human personality and self-concept.
Describe the origins and development of the Internal Family Systems Model, including empirical support for the model and the current status of research using IFS to treat depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Provide an in-depth overview of IFS theory, including the basic principles and assumptions of the model.
Describe the three major components of the psyche as outlined by IFS (parts, burdens, and the Self) including the characteristics of and assumptions regarding each component as they relate to clinical practice.
Perform IFS techniques for helping clients to differentiate from and form compassionate, collaborative relationships with the proactive and reactive protective parts of their internal systems.
Evaluate, through observation and discussion of video examples, how to apply the steps of the IFS protocol in work with clients.
Alexia Rothman, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Atlanta, GA, since 2004. She is a Certified Internal Family Systems therapist, an international speaker and educator on the IFS model, and a professional consultant for clinicians seeking to deepen their knowledge and practice of IFS through theoretical discussions, case consultation, technique practice, and deep, personal experiential work with their own internal systems. Dr. Rothman has received extensive training in the IFS model, primarily from IFS developer, Dr. Richard Schwartz. She has served as a Program Assistant for multiple Level 1, 2, and 3 experiential IFS trainings, and she offers workshops on the IFS model throughout the United States and abroad. She currently co-hosts an Internal Family Systems-informed podcast, Explorations in Psychotherapy.
Dr. Rothman is a United States Presidential Scholar who graduated summa cum laude from Emory University as a Robert W. Woodruff Scholar. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she was an Edwin W. Pauley Fellow and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. She has held adjunct faculty positions at Emory University and Agnes Scott College.
Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
Disclaimer
Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of mental health professionals. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your profession’s standards.
What
is IFS?
1 2 3 4 5
Non-pathologizing model for understanding the organization and operation of our psychological systems
Empirically validated psychotherapy
Simple, relatable, comprehensive
Easily integrated with other models
Powerful
Foundation for Self Leadership
http://www.foundationifs.org
Non-profit activated in 2013 to advance IFS research, promote IFS model within and beyond psychotherapy, and increase access to IFS trainings through scholarships.
Do people have an inner wisdom that could become a source of healing?Alexia D. Rothman, Ph.D.
natural leader of our occupant of the Seat when none of our parts has taken its
Assumptions
Multiplicity is the natural state of the mind
• Trauma does not create parts but can force them to take on extreme roles, burdens
Everyone has an undamaged Self
• Constraint-release model
No bad parts
• Parts can be wounded, burdened, stuck in extreme roles, trapped in trauma time
• Can be unburdened, released from extreme roles
No part operates in isolation
• This is an internal system
The Steps of Healing
Differentiation
Develop Self-part relationship
Witnessing
Retrieval
Unburdening
Invitation
Integration
Appreciation
