This product is not endorsed by, sponsored by, or affiliated with the IFS Institute and does not qualify for IFS Institute credits or certification.
Earn a Foundational Level Certificate in IFS Therapy from PESI with This Accessible and Affordable Online Course
Introducing the all-new IFS Therapy Core Skills Certificate Training Program…
…one of the most comprehensive, flexible, and support-packed IFS trainings you'll find anywhere at this price.
This fully online 18-hour program shows you how to use IFS from beginning to end at your own pace — no pressure and no deadlines.
And let's face it — learning new skills can be tough. Having an expert to talk to can be the difference between feeling lost and truly getting it.
That's why we're giving you FREE Q&A sessions with an IFS therapist and consultant, PLUS FREE guided practice sessions to better prepare you for real therapeutic application.
Here's what you can expect:
On-Demand Video Modules: Learn IFS at your own pace with 18 hours of in-depth, rewatchable lessons.
Complete Training Materials: Step-by-step instructions, scripts, exercises, and more!
Guided Practice: Put what you've learned into action — or watch the recordings later
LIVE Q&A Sessions Access: Ask questions and never have to worry about figuring it out on your own
PLUS, you'll earn an exclusive PESI "IFS Therapy Core Skills Trained" digital badge and displayable certificate of completion you can use to show clients you've completed this training
Don't miss out on the flexible, supportive, and affordable way to learn IFS therapy.
Register today and save your spot!
IFS Therapy Core Skills Certificate Training A Self-Paced Online Program with Complete Instruction, Guided Practice, and More $839.91 Value — Yours Today for $199.99!
This product is not endorsed by, sponsored by, or affiliated with the IFS Institute and does not qualify for IFS Institute credits or certification.
5 Reasons This is The Right IFS Training for You
Expert-Led: Learn from leading IFS trainer Stacy Ruse, whose trainings on IFS and trauma have been taken by over 3,000 students.
Learn at Your Pace: This online program allows you to watch all hours on demand, pause and review key concepts, and learn at your own speed.
Ongoing Support: Live Q&A sessions to dive deeper, get advice, and clarify any areas of confusion, ensuring you walk away with full confidence.
Guided Practice Sessions: Follow along with exercises that prepare you for real therapeutic application.
Value You Can't Beat: You get all this — the training, the practice sessions, the ongoing Q&A support — for a fraction of what you'd pay for other trainings.
Course Curriculum
Module 1: Getting Started with IFS: Theory, Self-Leadership, Neuroscience and More
In this module, you'll get to know the core of the IFS model—where it came from, what it's built on, and how it embraces a holistic, inclusive approach to healing. We'll dive into what it means to be a Self-led therapist, exploring the qualities that support presence, compassion, and clear boundaries in your work. You'll also get a down-to-earth introduction to key neuroscience concepts, like Polyvagal Theory and the brain's role in trauma, to see how IFS connects mind and body in the healing process.
Introduction to the IFS Model and Theory
Basic assumptions and a holistic approach
Therapeutic and clinical applications
The Self-Led Therapist
The benefits of self-energy and therapist presence
Setting appropriate boundaries
Biases and transference in the therapeutic relationship
Neurobiology, Neuroscience, and IFS Therapy
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
Module 2: Inside the Internal System: Parts, Self, and the Flow of IFS Therapy
In this module, you'll dive deeper into the heart of the IFS model by getting to know the internal system—what parts are, how they function, and how they relate to the Self. You'll meet Managers, Firefighters, and Exiles, and learn how each plays a role in protecting and shaping a person's inner world.
We'll walk through the six phases of IFS therapy, from mapping the internal system to working with protectors, healing wounded parts, and guiding clients through integration and closure. You'll also begin learning the step-by-step process of IFS therapy, including unblending, using the 6 F's, and engaging in direct access and insight work. By the end of this module, you'll have a clear, practical understanding of how to begin using IFS with clients.
Defining parts: who and what are parts?
Defining self: who and what is self?
The burdened system
Managers: the proactive parts
Firefighters: the reactive parts
Exiles: the wounded & shadowed parts
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
Unblending the system for emotional regulation
Shifting to inner story & connection
In-sight and direct access work
Module 3: Deepening the Work — Protectors, Exiles, and the Path to Healing
In this module, we'll roll up our sleeves and get into the heart of IFS practice: working with Protectors and Exiles. You'll learn how to build trust with protective parts—like Managers and Firefighters—by creating safety, recognizing resistance as protection, and using trailheads to guide the work. We'll focus on how to respectfully engage these parts and prepare the system for deeper healing. You'll also explore how to safely connect with Exiles—the parts carrying pain, trauma, and attachment wounds—and guide them through the unburdening process. Step by step, you'll learn how to help clients witness, heal, and reintegrate these parts without overwhelm.
You'll learn to overcome common challenges—like polarizations, therapist parts, or systems that are hard to track—and how to stay grounded and flexible in complex cases. Finally, you'll learn to adapt IFS to include somatic work, attachment theory, and spiritual dimensions.
Working with protectors
Creating safety and getting permission
Distinguish between parts and self
Assess the ability for in-sight or direct work
Getting to know managers and firefighters
Common protector concerns and fears
Working with and Unburdening Exiles
Getting to know exiles
Trauma, attachment wounds, and exiles
Common exile concerns and fears
Safely working with exiles
Unburdening process step by step
Internal polarizations and alignment
Therapist parts interfering
When burdens and parts come back?
Predicting 'backlash'
Blended parts not unblending
Adaptations and Integration of IFS Therapy
Attachment-based
Somatic-based
Complex trauma and dissociation
Spirituality, transpersonal psychology, and IFS therapy
Integration with other models
IFS Therapy Core Skills Certificate Training A Self-Paced Online Program with Complete Instruction, Guided Practice, and More $839.91 Value — Yours Today for $199.99!
This product is not endorsed by, sponsored by, or affiliated with the IFS Institute and does not qualify for IFS Institute credits or certification.
FREE BONUS #1 LIVE Q&A Sessions
Get exclusive access to live Q&A sessions when you register for this course — giving you a unique opportunity to engage with your expert trainer in real-time, ask questions, and troubleshoot challenges you're facing in learning IFS.
Nov 3, 2025 | Dec 1, 2025 | Feb 2, 2026
Join from 4 to 5pm Central on these dates if you'd like
FREE BONUS #2 GUIDED PRACTICE SESSIONS
Get exclusive access to 2 practice sessions where you can follow along and experience IFS in action with trainer Stacy Ruse.
Jan 5, 2026 | Mar 2, 2026
Join from 4 to 5pm Central on these dates if you'd like
Your Expert Instructor
Who Has Taught IFS to Over 3,000 Students
Stacy Ruse, LPC, is an Evergreen EMDR consultant and clinician, IFS therapist, and founder of Aglow Counseling. She’s a trauma expert who specializes in using IFS Therapy, EMDR, and Somatic therapies to unravel the intricate threads of trauma and guide clients towards empowerment and resilience. Her approach, while deeply rooted in trauma-informed methodologies, is characterized by a transpersonal twist that transcends the boundaries of traditional therapy. Stacy is certified in EMDR as well as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and Certified Yoga Instructor.
IFS Therapy Core Skills Certificate Training A Self-Paced Online Program with Complete Instruction, Guided Practice, and More $839.91 Value — Yours Today for $199.99!
Review the course materials at your own pace and at your convenience! You'll have unlimited access to all course videos and materials online forever. Plus, use the PESI Mobile app to access the course content on the go, wherever and whenever you want on your mobile devices.
Instantly collaborate with other professionals through interactive message boards. You'll be part of a community of hundreds of practitioners all focused on integrating IFS in clinical practice, providing valuable opportunities to share insight and experiences and to build your professional network.
Join LIVE sessions with your expert trainer and fellow students. These FREE sessions are completely optional and offer no additional CE credits — but offer an opportunity to ensure you're truly "getting it" that you won't get in other courses.
Complete your online CE tests and earn up to 18.75 CE hours! Click here for Credit details and credit details specific to your profession.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You will be ready to start using IFS after completing this course. You'll gain a clear understanding of the model, how to identify and work with parts, and essential techniques for safe and effective practice. This course lays a strong foundation, but like any therapeutic approach, continued learning and experience will help you refine your skills and confidence over time.
No. The course includes a mix of pre-recorded content and optional live sessions. Core teachings are provided through on-demand video lessons so you can learn at your own pace, while live sessions offer opportunities for Q&A, discussion, and practice with instructors and peers. All live sessions will be recorded for those who can't attend in real time.
Good news! That's where this course shines. Because, unlike many courses, this one offers Q&A sessions where you can meet with your instructor to ask anything you want and get real answers.
No. This is a certificate program meaning that when finished you'll receive a displayable certificate signifying your completion of this PESI IFS training program. While this course would meet some of the didactic hour requirements for certification through Evergreen Certifications, it does not include the practice and consultation hours required for full certification. If you fall in love with IFS therapy after your time with Stacy visit Evergreen Certified IFS Trauma Clinician for more details or to line up additional training, practice and consultation hours with an approved consultant!
*This program is not affiliated with IFS Institute and does not lead to any credits or certifications through IFS Institute.
No, this course is not associated with the IFS Institute and does not qualify toward IFS Institute credits or IFS Institute certification.
But here's the good news. As a licensed professional, you get to choose how to approach your continuing education, learn new treatment techniques, and which courses align best with your goals and budget as a practitioner. And of course, it is you who must determine if you are ready and capable of using specific approaches with your clients.
This course is led by an experienced trainer of psychotherapy professionals who brings a wealth of IFS therapy experience to the table, ensuring that you receive not only theoretical insights but also skills and techniques that can be immediately integrated into your practice.
IFS Therapy Core Skills Certificate Training A Self-Paced Online Program with Complete Instruction, Guided Practice, and More $839.91 Value — Yours Today for $199.99!
This product is not endorsed by, sponsored by, or affiliated with the IFS Institute and does not qualify for IFS Institute credits or certification.
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Register for this intensive training course without risk. If you're not completely satisfied, give us a call at 800-844-8260.
We’re that confident you'll find this learning experience to be all that's promised and more than you expected.
NOTE: No additional discounts or coupons may be applied to this course.
This product is not endorsed by, sponsored by, or affiliated with the IFS Institute and does not qualify for IFS Institute credits or certification.
