Documents and resources for clients
Introduction to IFS, parts language and multiplicity within us ….
60 secs:
A bit longer clip but explaining a lot (incl. the icecream dilemma at 1:32)
What is IFS Therapy? | Intro to Internal Family Systems
Anna Vincentz: Guide for the IFS Client: Chapter 1: The System of Parts Guide for the IFS Client: Chapter 2: The Self
If the links above does not work, please click here for Anna Vincentz IFS Guide chapter 1&2
Can I practice IFS without a therapist?
One of the unique and truly beautiful things about IFS is that you can learn to practice it on your own. You can literally become your own therapist. It is a good start for your healing journey, especially if combined it with one of the many free IFS groups: quite a few are offered on Facebook, eg. IFS Parts Work, IFS Self therapy study group, IFS Self-Healers Community by the IFS Guide, IFS Path …
Jay Earley has written a series of books dedicated to guiding you through the process of becoming your own IFS therapist. The first one, Self-Therapy, teaches the complete process, and the following books (vol 2 & 3) explore some advanced techniques. He also has books dedicated to working with the inner-critic and working with anger.
The founder of IFS, Richard Schwartz, has produced an audiobook, ‘Greater Than the Sum of Our Parts: Discovering Your True Self Through Internal Family Systems Therapy’ which is available on Amazon Audible or SoundsTrue. The book includes guided meditations, which allow you to experience the process of IFS, as well as information on the model. Richard Schwartz also has a series of guided meditations on Insight Timer which can you can access for free without an account.
The No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz and Transcending Trauma by Frank Anderson are available both in printed and audio formats.
IFS community
There is a private Facebook group you can join with many active members sharing heartfelt experiences about their own IFS practice. I personally find it a bit overwhelming to comment there as the membership keeps growing and I had to switch off notifications: you may well receive hundreds of comments if you post there….
There are many other resources on FB that may be (or not) worthwhile following, such as Somatic IFS Discussion Group, IFS Parts Art, IFS In Daily Life, IFS Daily Parts Meditation Practice, Internal Family Systems (IFS) – Readings and Links, IFS All Parts Welcome, Honoring and Resourcing our Parts with IFS and Somatic practices, Self-Therapy, IFS (Internal Family Systems) BOOK CLUB, IFS Self-Led Parenting Group, Self-Leadership Collaborative, LLC, IFS Worldwide, IFS Coaching Group, IFS (Internal Family Systems) Ontario, Exploring IFS Unburdening, IFS-Informed Spiritual Community, Christian Faith + IFS, IFS Therapy Advanced, Internal Family Systems Promotions, IFS and Psychedelic Assisted Therapy… I am sure one can find more and more while IFS is expanding exponentially, so please don’t get overwhelmed and remember that less is often more! You can use your intuition or a short meditation to inquire what link above to click and join.
Groups and couples coaching
Toni Herbine Blank has developed an IFS couples therapy model called Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO). You can find out more on her website and on FB IFIO-Informed Discussion Group.
Using IFS to understand the Inner Critic
IFS is a great model for helping you understand and transform your inner critic (e.g. the voices or thoughts in your head which put you down).
Inner critic or an inner nurturing committee? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of364Dpj6LQ
Chris Burris, a lead IFS trainer, speaks about the inner critic in this brilliant interview.
Jay Earley has information on his website about the inner critic, as well as online quizzes you can take to understand yourself better in this regard.
IFS Podcasts
The official IFS podcast, IFS Talks, has interviews with lead trainers, authors and practitioners, and has episodes on many different topics relating to IFS such as trauma, parenting and grieving. Some episodes may be of most interest to practitioners.
IFS therapist Tammy Sollenberger interviews a range of members of the IFS community in her podcast The One Inside which is suitable for anyone with an interest in IFS.
IFS coach Beth Rodgers, aims to support people to use the principles of IFS to boost their mental health and wellbeing in her podcast The Therapy Spot.
IFS and Psychedelics
As interest and research in psychedelic therapy increases, so does interest in using IFS in this way. Have a listen to the following podcasts on MDMA assisted IFS therapy to hear more: https://internalfamilysystems.pt/multimedia/webinars/mdma-assisted-therapy-michael-mithoefer ; https://www.mayahealth.com/podcast/richard-c-schwartz
Richard Schwartz — IFS, Psychedelic Experiences without Drugs, and Finding Inner Peace for Our Many Parts (#492)
https://www.therapeuticsittingservice.com/
https://www.psychedelicsomatic.org/psychedelic-psychotherapy
What Is Self Psychedelic Integration™ ?
Self-Psychedelic Integration™ is a Harm Reduction Psychedelic Integration (HRPI) model that blends Internal Family Systems (IFS), embodiment, the creative and expressive arts, and neo-shamanistic ritual.
While medical models of psychedelic integration bring scientific knowledge and increase the psychonaut’s safety, the field of psychedelic research takes Mother’s medicines out of the hands of The People and into the control of specialists. Not everyone who journeys wants or can afford an integrationist. For the therapist and coach, this model can deepen your psychedelic integration skills with experiential and right-brain practices. However, this model is highly accessible to those who desire to do their own integration work or work within a community of fellow journeyers.
Professionals Training
You can train as an IFS practitioner whether or not you are already a therapist. If you are a qualified therapist, then you will become a qualified IFS Therapist after the training. If you are not already a therapist, you can train to become an IFS practitioner or coach.
There are three levels of IFS training that are approved by the IFS institute. The first level qualifies you to practice, and the second two allow you to deepen your skills. You can also take a one-day introductory course before committing to the full training. https://internalfamilysystemstraining.co.uk/training/ifs-training (UK training); https://ifs-institute.com/trainings (International training including online)
In addition to the full practitioner training PESI run numerous IFS training courses of varying lengths, on different introductory and specialist subjects (put IFS into the search or join their mailing list for updates). The IFS Institute also have a library of online courses that can be purchased and taken in your own time.
I personally started with the IFS Institute Online Circle (the content is very similar, maybe a bit more than the Level 1 training, but without the supervised practice, however there are quite a few practice groups organised by the Online Circle members, these are not supervised and do not substitute Level 1 training). Completing the Online Circles will allow you to continue to the Online Continuity Programme (with monthly Live calls with Dick Schwartz) which I found the best value for money as one can also buy past courses for half price (content is similar to level 2 but without any supervised practice)…
some more FB groups …
IFS Life Coaches and Mental Health Adjacent Professionals
Videoclips for clients: Warning! some of the videoclips may be triggering so please make sure you are grounded and feel safe before watching.
genes stress response
Forms for clients
ALH agreement: Please sign and email before your first ALH session. Thank you.
Warning! some of the forms below may be triggering so please make sure you are grounded and feel safe before reading. It is better to go thru them while being supported by another person, ideally a therapist.
Initial questionnaire:
Consent form, please fill in before the first session:
PTSD, CPTSD, Developmental/ Relational Trauma – ACE questionnaire (trigger warning!). If you believe you won’t get triggered or overwhelmed, please fill out and email to your coach/therapist if requested. Otherwise ask your therapist do go through this with you.
Chronic Strategies of Disconnection Inventory:
Systems Coach 