Introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy

IFS (Internal Family Systems) is a recognized, proven method for individual psychotherapy with a robust training program and thousands of certified therapists. It will help transform stuck parts of your clients and yourself into inner resources of strength, love, and freedom.

This full-day (6 hour) program, led by Bonnie Weiss, LCSW, introduces the core concepts and basic steps of the model. We will differentiate between the concepts of Protectors, Exiles and the Self, and witness demonstrations of IFS therapy with group participants. We will participate in an exercise practicing one aspect of the model: Accessing a Part. This is an interactive class and your questions and participation in discussions are welcome.

This 1 day program will take place on Tuesday, July 15 from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM EDT with a lunch break from 12:30 - 1:30 PM EDT.

Participants will receive 6 CEs following their conclusion of the course.

The reference text for this course is Self-Therapy: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Wholeness and Healing Your Inner Child Using IFS, A New, Cutting-Edge Psychotherapy, 3rd Edition by Jay Earley. Participants should purchase the book before the start of the program. 

Note: This course is not affiliated with the Internal Family Systems Institute (IFSI) or a substitute for IFSI's Level 1 training. To become IFS certified, you must complete the IFS Institute's Level 1 training and requirements.

Bonnie Weiss, LCSW is a teacher of the Internal Family System Method in online classes and workshops. She has taught internationally in Australia, Israel, Germany, and Ireland. She is the former Director of the Gestalt Center of Long Island, and The Long Island Center for Eating Disorders. Her books include Self-Therapy Workbook: An Exercise Book for the IFS Process and Freedom from Your Inner Critic and Letting Go of Perfectionism with Jay Earley. She lives and maintains a private practice in the Bay Area, CA

Additional Program Information:

Target audience: social workers and counselors

Content level: Beginner/Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1 . Participants will be able to explain the basic concepts and steps of the Internal Family Systems Model of therapy.

2. Participants will be able to differentiate Protector parts from Exile parts.

3. Participants will be able to identify the aspect of Self in the IFS process.

Outline and Agenda:

9:00 - 9:45  - Intro and IFS Model
9:45 - 10:15 - Exercise: Accessing a Part
10:15 - 10:40 - Feedback
10:40 - 10:45 - Break
10:45 - 11:00 - Working with Protectors
11:00 - 12:30 - Demonstration of IFS Method
12:30 - 1:30 - Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 - Working with Exiles
2:30 - 3:30 - Demonstration of IFS Method
3:30 - 4:00 - Review, Summary, Resources, Questions

Course interaction and system requirements:

This live webinar hosted on Zoom is fully interactive. Attendees may ask and answer questions throughout the presentation (using their microphones and/or the chat option). System requirements for Zoom can be viewed at https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-requirements-for-PC-and-Mac.

Fee and registration:

Cost is $245 for 6 credits. Refunds are available for up to seven days prior to the program (this does not include TicketTailor fees). After that, we offer credit that can be applied to a future program. Registration is open until the course is full. In some cases, we will enable a wait list option once the course is full.

Course completion and CE info:

To obtain CE credit, social workers must log in at the scheduled time, attend the entire program and complete an online evaluation at the end of the program.

Certificates will be emailed out within 7 business days following receipt of evaluation.

CE credit is currently available for social workers and counselors in all 50 states. All other professionals (including psychologists and marriage and family therapists) must confirm CE approval with their state board.

Bright Ideas Continuing Education, provider # 1757, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 11/19/2024-11/19/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 6 clinical continuing education credits.

Bright Ideas Continuing Education has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7705. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Bright Ideas Continuing Education is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Bright Ideas Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0781.

​Bright Ideas Continuing Education is also authorized by the Board of Social Work Examiners in Maryland to provide social work continuing education.

If you have any questions, concerns or special accommodation requests, please contact us at 410-575-3870 or info@brightideasceus.com.