- Comprehensive, compassionate, non-pathologizing treatment approach
- Paradigm-shifting perspective on “psychopathology”
- Easily integrated into other therapeutic modalities
- Teach clients to access inner wisdom and self-compassion to heal traumatic wounds
- Development of the IFS model by Richard C. Schwartz, Ph.D.
- IFS as an empirically validated treatment: Summary of research support
- Goals of IFS therapy
- Starting an IFS session and the flow of the model
- The mind and the brain
- Neurons-networks and parts
- Meditation and self energy
- Understanding the fear response
IFS STEP-BY-STEP
Step 1: Using Meditative Processes to Identify and Connect with a Target Part
- Differentiate the person from the symptom
- Access a state of compassion and curiosity essential for healing
- Establish a relationship with the target part
- Learn the history and benevolent intention behind the symptom
- Facilitate internal attachment work
- Learn to address the fears/concerns of protective parts
- Establish a trusting relationship with proactive and reactive parts
- Resolve internal conflicts
- Gain permission to proceed with healing
- Connect with the wounded part
- Witness the pain rather than relive it
- Retrieve the wounded part
- Release/unburden thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations
- Life without the wound, the post-healing process
- Countertransference redefined
- Identifying parts that get in the way
- The Science of extreme reactions in therapists and clients
CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF IFS
Trauma and Attachment
- Roadblocks to healing trauma
- Neurobiology of PTSD and Dissociation
- Dealing with the extreme symptoms and staying in Self
- Healing attachment wounds: What IFS offers
- Differentiating feelings from symptoms
- Address the biology and process the wound
- Protection or genetics
- Addressing psychotic parts
- Differentiating psychosis from trauma dysregulation
- Treating biological issues while addressing emotional pain
- Befriending addictive parts
- Healing wounds or stopping use?
- Addressing the biology and the behavior after healing
- When food “abstinence” is not an option
- Multiple eating parts
- Self-led eating
- The shamer and the shamed
- Critical and neglect shame cycles
- Loss, letting go, and healing
- Children and adolescents
- Parenting
- Couples
- Groups and inpatient settings
- LGBTQ
- Spirituality and culture


