The Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, which aims to lead those in treatment toward the Self, an inner state of clarity and compassion, was developed by Richard Schwartz, PhD, over the course of 30 years. During this time, he focused on listening to the people he treated in therapy, rather than letting trained assumptions guide him. He discovered it was possible for those in therapy to calm troubling internal voices, anxious thoughts, distractions, and negative feelings of vulnerability, inadequacy, and overwhelm, once they had reached the Self. When the people he treated addressed those parts of the psyche patiently and respectfully, the parts responded, and transformation was achieved. Once the parts are witnessed and accepted, Schwartz found, they forsake internal battles and instead take on valuable internal roles.
Family systems principles and techniques are now widely applied to inner systems and used internationally to treat trauma and severe diagnoses. In addition, these principles and techniques are often used in business consulting, meditation practice, and other non-clinical applications. Through IFS, therapists may be able to find and heal parts of themselves, which can lead to a more enjoyable, effective, and effortless practice. People in therapy can often achieve lasting changes in behavior and become better able to relate to people, once they are able to heal and reorient their "inner families" in the therapy environment, which is one of genuine acceptance. IFS is a gentle healing delivery system, but it is also powerful and can trust and empower the Self of those in therapy.
In this workshop, the history, development, basic principles, techniques, and goals of IFS will be discussed and illustrated with experiential exercises and videos. Participants in this practical workshop will explore the benefits of IFS therapy and learn new perspectives and methods that can be applied in treatment.
This introductory, instructional level web conference is designed to help clinicians:
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Attendees who register for this event will log in to the web conference center by using a computer and calling in to the teleconference line. Attendees will be able to ask live audio questions via phone and/or submit text chat questions via computer. Live streaming video and/or document sharing will also be available to participants. Alternatively, attendees may dial in to the teleconference line only, though attendees dialing in by phone only will be unable to ask questions. Attendees may also access the web conference on a smartphone or tablet.
Before the scheduled event, all registered attendees will be sent a reminder email with specific instructions on how to log in to the web conference center, as well as links to optional handout materials if applicable.
At the conclusion of this event, you will receive an email with information about how to request a CE certificate. You will need to enter the start and end codes that will be announced at the beginning and end of the presentation. These codes confirm that you attended the entire event. You will be prompted to complete a survey. You will need to complete this online survey within six days of the event. Once you complete the survey, you can download a copy of your CE certificate instantly.
Two CE credits will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety.
GoodTherapy.org is an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within counseling services.
GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.
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Always wonderful learning from someone so influential in the field! - Lisa King Smith, EdS, LPC
Richard Schwartz really paced things beautifully. I also appreciated his openness about how he developed the model and his early mistakes. - Cory Fehlberg, LMFT
Excellent presentation! So helpful to so many people! - Denise Zajac, MS, LMFT
I have done parts work with many clients. Breaking it down and being so specific with the protectors was helpful information. I can see where this will avoid the backlash that often happens after opening up a vulnerable part. - Elaine Willey, MA, LMHC
Thank you! Watching an approach in action teaches us much. - Catherine Gruener, LCPC, NCC
Both an academic and systemic family therapist, Richard Schwartz has been an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at both the University of Illinois at Chicago's Institute for Juvenile Research and The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Schwartz is a featured speaker for national professional organizations and is on the editorial boards of four different professional journals. In addition to co-authoring Family Therapy: Concepts and Methods, the most commonly used textbook for family therapy instruction in the United States, with Michael Nichols, he has published five other books and more than 50 articles on Internal Family Systems (IFS).
IFS developed in response to descriptions given by people he saw in therapy of various parts of themselves. His grounding in systems thinking led him to focus on the relationship between these parts, and he noticed systemic patterns in the way parts were organized across individuals. Eventually, he discovered that when individuals—rather, their parts—felt safe, they could relax and experience confidence, openness, and compassion, qualities Schwartz came to refer to as the Self. He found individuals in that state of self to have the knowledge of how to heal their parts. Through this nonpathologizing, hopeful approach to therapy, people in treatment were able to experience relief of symptoms and address difficulty with new techniques that allowed for alternative ways of understanding psychic function and healing ability.
Schwartz founded the Center for Self Leadership in 2000. This center, which is based in Oak Park, Illinois, offers three levels of IFS training as well as workshops for both professionals and the general public. CSL also holds an annual national conference and publishes various materials, including DVDs of Dr. Schwartz's work. These materials can be found on CSL's website. A number of European countries now hold IFS trainings and workshops, as well.
Schwartz's publications include: