Internal Family Systems (IFS): A Psychoanalytic Tool

2 CE Hours available for
NY Practitioners – LCSWs, LMSWs, LPs, LMFTs, LMHCs, LCATs, PHDs, PSYD’s

INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS (IFS) is a guided meditation technique that mirrors the main goals and aims of psychoanalysis. Richard Schwartz who developed the IFS technique noticed that if we are able to feel our feelings as physically embodied, we then have access to multiple feeling states and we are able access the thoughts, stories and ideas that accompany these feeling states.

Like Freud, IFS starts by examining defenses (IFS calls them ‘protectors’). The complete arc of IFS is then to explore what the defense is defending. Retrieving the underlying stories, beliefs and experiences that trigger our reactions, allows for freedom to re-examine the stories and ensuing beliefs.

In this two hour workshop, we will begin with the guided meditation and experience our own work with a part of ourselves. While the work is deeply personal, the following discussion will focus on the underlying theory of this visceral experience. Participants will be able to share as much or as little of their own experience in the group. This will provide a beginning introduction to work with IFS and incorporating it into your usual practice.