Internal Family Systems (IFS) for Individual Client Work - Counselling

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Curriculum
Overview

A Day of Theory and Active Skills Training for Immediate Use in Client and Personal Development Work.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is one of the fastest-growing approaches to psychotherapy. It has developed over the past twenty years into a way of understanding and treating human problems that is empowering, effective, and non-pathologizing with an understanding that symptoms are actually the coping mechanism of Parts (sub-personalities/ego-states) trying to protect us from pain. IFS is a powerful model of therapy that enhances mindful awareness and self-compassion through getting to know our Parts in a methodical yet intimate way.

The IFS Model represents a synthesis of two already-existing paradigms: systems thinking and multiplicity of the mind. A key aspect of the IFS Model is the belief that, in addition to working with Parts, everyone has at their core a Self-Energy containing many crucial leadership qualities such as perspective, confidence, compassion, and acceptance.

In this inner system, some Parts take on protective roles in response to relational injury in order to protect a vulnerable or injured Part (Exiles). Protective pro-active Parts (Managers) focus on learning, functioning, and being prepared preventing Exiles from being triggered. Manager behaviours can include inner critics, controlling self/others/the environment, perfectionism, risk avoidance, caretaking, worrying, striving, pleasing, denial, displacement, projecting and intellectualizing. The reactive protective Parts (Firefighters) get activated after an exile has been triggered. They try to distract the client from pain. Examples of Firefighter behaviour include dissociation, fantasizing, somatising, anger/rage, addictions, eating disorders, panic, obsessions, compulsions, hoarding, NSSI and suicidality.

At the outset of therapy an IFS therapist hears the client’s presenting complaint as one Part speaking. The IFS therapist witnesses this Part acknowledging how it is trying to help the client and then seeks permission to hear from all Parts involved in the issue. The IFS therapist supports the client to unblend or differentiate from each Part and enter an internal dialogue. Clients learn to listen inside themselves with self-compassion and curiosity (Self), and, in the process release beliefs, emotions, sensations, patterns and urges that have constrained their lives. As Parts are witnessed, they become more flexible in how they respond to the world as well as with each other. The central healing relationship in IFS is between the Self of the client and his/her Parts.


The Benefits of IFS for therapists:

  1. The IFS therapist is not required to diagnose, interpret or pathologize but to facilitate the development of a relationship between the Self of the client and their Parts.
  2. IFS therapist welcomes the client’s symptoms upfront as an introduction to protective Parts showing them respect and appreciation thereby reducing client resistance.
  3. IFS gives therapists practical ways to understand and work with transference and countertransference through recognizing the interaction of client and therapist Parts.


IFS Advances Treatment By:

  1. Working with ambivalence and polarizations.
  2. Recognizing how to work with ‘resistance’ productively.
  3. Regulating affect in a simple and effective way so clients are not overwhelmed during sessions.
  4. Supporting the development of mindful self-awareness and self-compassion.
  5. Encouraging clients to attend to Parts between session improving Self-leadership and self-efficacy.


Learning Objectives of This Training:

  1. Understand overall principles and concepts underpinning IFS as a therapeutic modality.
  2. Recognize the roles and functions parts play in presenting issues from a non-pathologizing perspective.
  3. Access and explore protective parts utilizing the IFS 6-step protocol
  4. Explore integrating IFS into current practice.


How Will You Benefit from Attending This Training?

  • Introduction to key principles of IFS
  • Recognizing and working with Parts in presenting issues
  • Recognizing and supporting activated therapist parts in sessions with clients The role of Self-Energy in sessions with clients
  • Possibilities for integration with your current practice


Outline

Morning Session 

  • Introduction to IFS theory (PPT)
  • Guided Experiential Activity: Meeting your own Parts in different contexts
  • IFS Protocol - Introduction to 6 key steps


Afternoon Session 

  • Introduction to IFS theory (PPT)
  • Guided Experiential Activity: Meeting your own Parts in different contexts
  • IFS Protocol - Introduction to 6 key steps


Evaluation and Quiz - your payment includes a quiz which when completed with a minimum of 80% correct answers, will enable you to download your Attendance Certificate.

To complete the quiz, please log into your account at pdp-catalogue.com.au and click the orange "Certificate" button under the program's title. 


Target Audience

This seminar has been designed to extend the clinical knowledge and applied skill of Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Coaches, Psychologists, Hypnotherapists, Social Workers, Community Workers, Mental Health Nurses and Psychiatrists.


Note this e-course is not hosted on Nexlec and users can click the "Select" button to be directed to the course page.

Providers Terms

Cancellation Policy and Disclaimer

Refunds less a $50.00 administration fee are given for cancellations received in writing via email or post. Cancellations must be received no later than 10 days prior to your event date. Refunds and transfers are not possible inside 10 days from the event. Cancellation policy is final and not negotiable.

PDP regrets the difficult personal circumstances that prevent people attending including medical conditions, emergencies, severe weather or transport difficulties and we do not issue refunds in any circumstance other than those outlined in this cancellation policy. PDP is unable to accept responsibility for the failure of the presenter to arrive due to unforeseen circumstances.


Transfer of Registration to Another Person

Registrations are transferable IN FULL to another person on notification in writing to PDP and no admin fees are charged for this service. Where a delegate can only attend for part of a training, transfer of the remainder of the registration to another person is NOT possible.


Cancellation/Reschedule of an Event by PDP

PDP will contact you within 10 days of the event date on the rare occasion that we need to cancel/reschedule an event. You will be offered the following options:

  • A full refund of your paid registration fee.
  • Transfer of your registration into another equivalent event on our calendar.


Please contact the Provider directly or follow the ticket selection button to the Course Provider Website for full terms and conditions.

Tickets:

Standard

USD $130

Closed

Tickets:

Standard Closed
Contact Hours:

7.0 hrs

Format:

Lecture and Assessment

Duration:

1 Day

Lecture Videos
Compatability:

All Devices

Language:

English

Subtitles:

None

PDP Seminars
Email
Speaker(s):
speaker_img_7715

Leona Dawson

M. Counselling & Applied Psychotherapy, MA (Language & Literacy), TAE40116, Dip Transpersonal Art Therapy, Dip Clinical Hypnosis & Strategic Psychotherapy

Leona Dawson is a counsellor, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and supervisor who works in private practice. She has 3 decades working in adult education and group facilitation in a range of contexts as well as becoming a Focusing Trainer before discovering Internal Family Systems eight years ago. IFS has enabled Leona to work with curiosity and compassion, moment by moment, with her clients as they come back into relationship with themselves. She has found that the IFS way of working is energising for therapists. Leona has completed the three levels of training offered by the Centre for Self-Leadership in the United States and has supported multiple international trainings. She offers IFS-oriented supervision and runs a MHPN peer group for IFS professionals. Leona has a Masters of Arts and a Master of Counselling & Applied Psychotherapy as well as Diplomas in Clinical Hypnotherapy and Transpersonal Art Therapy. She has also studied at the Milton H. Erickson Foundation and The Focusing Institute (New York).

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