Full Course Description

The Foundations of Internal Family Systems Therapy with Frank Anderson, MD

Dr. Anderson dives in with a brief overview of the IFS model, with some differences in verbiage from the traditional model. He then goes through an in-depth discussion about the 6 F’s and applying them to clients, especially with trauma. He concludes with an applicable discussion about attachment, shame, and preverbal trauma, and the stages of treatment with attachment wounds.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Identify the different Parts associated with the IFS model
  2. Apply the theory of using the client’s language during sessions 
  3. Summarize the 6 F’s in application to working with clients with trauma 
  4. Discuss the implications of attachment and preverbal trauma within IFS

Outline

  • Intro
  • The role of IFS therapists 
  • Model overview
    • Goals of IFS
    • Integrating IFS with other modalities 
  • Parts
    • Preventative parts
    • Reactive/extreme parts
    • Wounded/burdened parts
    • Exercise
  • Changing your therapy orientation
  • Working with protective parts
    • Mapping out parts
    • The 6 F’s
      • Self-energy
      • 8 C’s    
      • Summarize
    • Beyond the 6 F’s
      • Joining 6F’s and beyond 
      • Direct Access
  • Examples 
  • Session video
    • Summary of working with protectors 
  • Attachment, Shame, and Preverbal Trauma
    • SBT
    • Attachment theory 
      • Attachment trauma
    • Preverbal Trauma 
    • Polarized parts 
    • Shame 
    • Treatment of attachment wounds 

Copyright : 30/01/2024

Step-By-Step Guide to Using Internal Family Systems Therapy

In this segment you will discover dimensions of the healing process to include learning how to prioritize the order of healing. You will address the components of healing which insure that your client will experience lasting growth. You will also learn to recognize common roadblocks while learning techniques to guide your clients through those roadblocks. In additions, you will learn about some of the new breakthroughs that are happening in the field of psychedelics when working with victims of trauma.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Develop a strategy to rank the system of wounds as it relates to case conceptualization.
  2. Implement treatment interventions to address common roadblocks to healing.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of underlying biological conditions contribute to a “part or parts” being stuck.

Outline

  • Healing
    • The dimensions of healing
      • How wounds develop
  • Prioritizing the order of healing
    • Complex trauma 
  • Components of healing
    • Complex trauma unburdenings
  • Post unburdening
    • Common roadblocks to healing
    • Integration and repair
    • Legacy burdens
  • Addressing cultural trauma
    • Intersectionality
  • Misaligned energy
  • Receiving help or messages from beyond
  • Use of psychedelics

Copyright : 25/01/2024

Demonstration 1: Using Internal Family Systems Therapy to Treat Suicidal Ideation

Frank Anderson, MD will demonstrate the IFS model when working with a suicidal part.  Frank will discuss the presence of energy in this session and how to work with energy.  Frank will discuss how slowing down the process in IFS is important when doing parts work. Lastly, Frank will discuss the transformation of parts.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Build an understanding of energy in the IFS model.
  2. Build an understanding of the transformation of parts in the IFS model.
  3. Develop an understanding of the importance of “slowing down the process” in the IFS model.

Outline

  • Start of demonstration
  • Starting IFS sessions
    • Energy
  • Polarity
  • Validation
    • The therapist’s use of self
  • Suicide Part
  • Trauma
    • Internal
    • External
  • Demonstration
  • Energy
    • Protective
  • Slowing down the process
  • Demonstration
  • Transformation of parts

Copyright : 29/01/2024

Demonstration 2: Using Internal Family Systems Therapy to Treat Developmental Trauma

Watch the IFS process in action as Dr. Anderson identifies and explores Parts with a client. Learn how slowing down throughout the process results in new awareness and discoveries for practitioner and client, improving quality and attunement.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Apply three techniques to support step three of the IFS model; Flesh it out.
  2. Defend the practice of validating a client’s thoughts, feelings, and Parts to improve quality and attunement in a session.
  3. Employ a relaxed Self energy during client interaction to demonstrate curiosity and instill safety for the client.

Outline

  • Identifying an area to explore
  • Identifying Parts 
  • Differentiating the energy of the Part
  • Finding a soothing resource
  • Polarity of Parts
  • Validating Parts
  • Internal repair of relations
  • Identifying Protectors
  • A therapist's Self energy during a session
  • Emphasizing and observing quality
  • Direct access
  • Unburdening
  • Ending a session: showing appreciation to Parts

Copyright : 09/02/2024

Demonstration 3: Using Internal Family Systems Therapy to Treat Complex Trauma

Most modes of psychotherapy believe to have “parts” is pathological, but in IFS therapy, the idea of multiplicity of the mind is normal. Every part has a good intention, and every part has value. In this session Dr. Frank Anderson demonstrates how to effectively interact with and work with protected parts in your own clients, as well as giving examples of how to utilize IFS therapy while working with clients.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Identify the protective parts and the impact they have on all parts.
  2. Recognize how to create an increased sense of connection to identified parts.
  3. Evaluate the steps of working with clients' “protective parts” to improve treatment outcomes as proposed by the IFS model.
  4. Showcase a non-pathological perspective of mental health disorders by demonstrating how the IFS model translates common comorbidities into parts language
  5. Recommend how to address the “protector” fears as they arise for the client during the therapy session.

Outline

  • Identifying parts
  • Developing internal communication 
  • Connect with the protective parts
  • The role of the protector
  • Developing client ability to repair relationships between parts
  • Rewiring of emotional memory
  • Maintaining connection with identified parts

Copyright : 26/03/2024

Demonstration 4: Using Internal Family Systems Therapy to Treat Procrastination and Deep Wounding

Dr. Frank Anderson demonstrates the use of Internal Family Systems Therapy techniques to address procrastination and deep wounding. He illustrates the development of an internal trusting relationship which allows for the unburdening of the exile part and the return of a whole, functional adult self.

Discussion includes topics such as:

  • Identification of the parts of the internal family system with an emphasis on the target part
  • Validation
  • How to build the necessary trust to facilitate the unburdening of the exile
  • Methods for working with various parts that arise and how to distinguish major players
  • Separation and communication between the client and their parts
  • Identification of the helpful role the parts play
  • How IFS facilitates the re-wiring of the synapses and neural networks of trauma

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Inform clinical treatment interventions by use of Internal Family Systems Therapy techniques to address procrastination and deep wounding.
  2. Modify directive suggestions to client using principles of Internal Family Systems Therapy techniques during session.
  3. Explain how Internal Family Systems therapists utilize knowledge of the Trauma Neural Network to inform the course of therapy.

Outline

Demonstration with client

  • Identification of parts of internal family system
  • Establish curiosity
  • Increase awareness of the parts’ roles
  • Facilitate emotional connection to parts
  • Client as witness to parts
  • Communication of client and parts

Discussion of session segment

  • Use the bottom up, top down network
  • Embodiment of each part of the internal family system
  • Amount of time spent on each part that arises
  • Switch from cognitive awareness and communication to embodiment
  • Major protector parts that need to be addressed
  • Multiple relationship violations include chasm between protector and exile parts
  • Focus on repairing relationship between protector and exile

Procrastination, fear of failure, and inner critic

  • Procrastination, fear of failure, and inner critic connected
  • All parts make sense in internal family system
  • All parts are a team
  • Two cycles in transcending trauma

Working with the exile

  • Ensure embodiment of exile
  • Unburdening the exile
  • Plan for the future
  • Necessity of client becoming unblended
  • Self-energy as the healing agent
  • Cognitive processing
  • Re-wiring neural networks of trauma

Copyright : 26/03/2024

Course introduction and interview with Frank Anderson, MD and Tracy Jarvis, former PESI UK Founder and Director

In this course introduction and interview, we learn about Frank Anderson’s journey to becoming an IFS therapist and trauma trainer.  Frank shares his personal as well as his professional journey.  He discusses the birth, evaluation, and future of IFS.  Frank identifies the practical, inclusive, and comprehensive aspects of the IFS treatment model, including its connection with spirituality and energy and potential for addressing systemic global trauma. 

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Examines the birth, evolution, and future of Internal Family Systems (IFS).
  2. Evaluates IFS as the most comprehensive model of trauma treatment.
  3. Explores how IFS is inclusive in treating dimensions of trauma dysregulation.

Outline

Frank Anderson’s Early Days in Psychiatry

  • Pre-Med for Pediatric Care
  • Family Member with Psychotic Break
  • Early Psychiatry Experiences with the Homeless Population
  • Personal Therapy
  • Exposure to Bessel van der Kolk, MD
  • Psychiatrist at the Trauma Center & Associate Professor at Harvard
  • Personal Life Changes
  • Leaving Academia to Focus on Family
  • Reconnecting with Academia

Discovering IFS

  • Meeting Dick Schwartz at a Trauma Conference
  • Completing the IFS Training
  • Mentors: Psychiatrists Who Were Also Therapists 
  • Beginning His Psychotherapy Career
  • Writing a Trauma Training Program for Dick Schwartz

The IFS Model in the Early 90’s

  • IFS as “Touchy-Feely”
  • Fringe Therapy until Bessel van der Kolk Provided Support
  • Anderson Commits to Bringing IFS to the World in 2008
  • Establishing a Foundation to Provide Research Validity to IFS

Evolution of the IFS Model 2000-2004

  • Frank Anderson’s Workshops, Dick Schwartz’s Workshops & PESI
  • Bessel van der Kolk’s Book 
  • The Psychotherapy Networker

IFS as Revolutionizing Trauma Treatment

  • IFS is the Most Comprehensive Model of Trauma Treatment
  • IFS is Inclusive of All Dimensions of Trauma Dysregulation

IFS with Clients

  • All Symptoms are Helpful
  • Reconnecting to Ourselves to Heal
  • Spirituality & Energy

The Future of IFS

  • The Expansion of IFS & Psychedelics
  • Systemic Global Trauma/DEI Issues

Benefits of Becoming IFS Informed 

  • IFS Concepts are Widely Applicable 
  • Bringing Trauma Treatment to World is Something We Do Together
  • Trauma & Resiliency are Everywhere

Copyright : 09/02/2024