Workshop on Using Internal Family Systems Therapy: Applying the IFS Model in the Treatment of PTSD, Complex Trauma and More

Introduction to the IFS Model and Theory

• Brief history of IFS
• Basic assumptions and holistic approach
• Inclusivity, cultural humility, and competency
• Therapeutic and clinical applications

The Self-Led Therapist

• The 8 C’s: self qualities
• Holding Self-energy: 5 P’s for self-lead therapists
• The benefits of self-energy and therapist presence
• Compassion, connection, and understanding
• Setting appropriate boundaries
• Biases and transference in the therapeutic relationship

Neurobiology, Neuroscience, and IFS Therapy

• IFS therapy as a bottom-up treatment method
• 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

The Internal System Through the IFS-Lens

• Defining parts: who and what are parts?
• Defining self: who and what is self?
• The burdened system
• Protective Parts
  • Managers: the proactive parts
  • Firefighters: the reactive parts
  • Exiles: the wounded & shadowed parts

Understanding IFS Therapy in 6 Phases

• Understanding the situation: Mapping internal and external factors
• 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

Foundational IFS Therapy Step by Step

• Unblending the system for emotional regulation
• The 6 F’s of IFS: Getting to know parts
• Shifting to inner story & connection
• In-sight work
• Direct access work

Working with Protectors

• Creating safety and getting permission
• Targets and use of trailheads
• Resistance as a protection
• Distinguish between parts and self
• Significance of appreciation
• Assess ability for in-sight or direct work
• Getting to know managers
• Getting to know 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
  • Self to part relationship and preventing overwhelm
  • Witnessing, invitation, do-overs, and retrieval
  • Integration of work and additional considerations

Difficulties and Challenges

• Internal polarizations and alignment
• Therapist parts interfering
• When burdens and parts come back?
• Predicting ‘backlash’
• Complex systems - hard to track; lack of client self-energy
• Blended parts not unblending
• Lack of awareness in the body

Adaptations and Integration of IFS Therapy

• Attachment-based
• Somatic based
• Complex trauma, and dissociation
• Spirituality, transpersonal psychology, and IFS therapy
• Integration with other models

Evidence, Research Limitations, and Treatment Risks

• Examining the current research
• Challenges to the research and research limitations
• Addressing potential risks
• Contraindications and other considerations