Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) – Frank G. Anderson

Salepage link: At HERE. Archive:

We all know what it is to feel conflicting emotions – “a part of me wants to …. and then there’s a part of me that doesn’t….” as we grapple with our internal self, desires, and behaviors.

Think about the family of emotions from Pixar’s movie Inside Out – how a family of emotions, Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust and Anger all interacted inside Riley Anderson’s mind to form her reactions and memories.

Now you are thinking along the lines of IFS – Internal Family Systems Therapy.

Most modes of psychotherapy believe to have “parts” is pathological. NOT in IFS. In IFS the idea of multiplicity of the mind is normal. Every part has a good intention, and every part has value. All clients have the ability to heal themselves if they listen to their parts. IFS is a very powerful tool for clinicians. Once you see it in action, you’ll be hooked! And you’ll want to immediately incorporate it into your practice.

In developing IFS 30 years ago, creator Richard Schwartz, Ph.D., realized that clients were describing experiences with various parts, many extreme, within themselves. When these parts felt safe and had their concerns addressed, they were less disruptive. In developing IFS, he recognized that, as in systemic family theory, parts take on characteristic roles that help define the inner world of the client.

IFS has been heralded as the treatment that all clinicians should know in order to treat clients effectively (van der Kolk 2015).

Join IFS and trauma expert Frank Anderson, MD, colleague of Dr. Bessel van der Kolk and Dr. Richard Schwartz, in this transformational recording and learn of all that IFS therapy can do for you and your clients!

Like Dr. Anderson, after integrating IFS into your work, you will transform your practice. Clients may leave your office feeling healed, with skills to use outside the therapy room to help them master their emotions.

This training will include experiential exercise, meditation, and video demonstration. You will leave transformed!

1. Investigate Internal Family Systems (IFS) concepts, steps and techniques to broaden treatment intervention options.
2. Appraise how IFS brings a non-pathological perspective of mental health disorders by translating common comorbidities into parts language.
3. Analyze the IFS view that client’s symptoms and psychopathology are attempts to solve an emotional problem.
4. Inspect a clinical session to deepen one’s understanding of IFS treatment strategies.
5. Practice clinical interventions to enhance effectiveness in sessions.
6. Appraise the benefits of applying IFS to one’s current clinical practice.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Origins of IFS – the work of Richard Schwartz, PhD

A non-pathologizing, accelerated approach rooted in neuroscience

Apply inner resources and self-compassion for healing

How to heal implicit memory wounds

Harness neuroscience for techniques that cure traumatic wounds

Study limitations: small sample size, no control group

Clinical considerations for clients experiencing abuse

The IFS Technique

Step 1: Identifying the Diagnoses & Symptoms

Assess the diagnoses: PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance abuse and eating disorders

Apply meditation practices

Finding the symptom

Focusing on its fear

Separating the person (self) from the symptom

Becoming curious about it

Find the real story behind the symptom

Step 2: Gain Access to Internal Strengths & Resources for Healing

Moving from defensiveness to curiosity

Access compassion to open the pathways toward healing

Foster “internal attachment” work

The “Self” of the therapist-countertransference redefined

Step 3: Heal the Traumatic Wound

Three phases to healing the wound:

Witness the pain

Remove the wounded part out of the past

Go of the feelings, thoughts and beliefs

Memory reconsolidation & neuroscience

Integrate IFS into Your Treatment Approach

EMDR, DBT, Sensorimotor and other methods

Transformation vs adaptation or rehabilitation

Going beyond the cognitive

Integrate IFS with your current clinical approach