Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is one of the fastest-growing approaches to psychotherapy. It has developed over the past twenty years into a way of understanding and treating human problems that is empowering, effective, and non-pathologizing with an understanding that symptoms are actually the coping mechanism of Parts (sub-personalities/ego-states) trying to protect us from pain. IFS is a powerful model of therapy that enhances mindful awareness and self-compassion through getting to know our Parts in a methodical yet intimate way.
The IFS Model represents a synthesis of two already-existing paradigms: systems thinking and multiplicity of the mind. A key aspect of the IFS Model is the belief that, in addition to working with Parts, everyone has at their core a Self-Energy containing many crucial leadership qualities such as perspective, confidence, compassion, and acceptance.
In this inner system, some Parts take on protective roles in response to relational injury in order to protect a vulnerable or injured Part (Exiles). Protective pro-active Parts (Managers) focus on learning, functioning, and being prepared preventing Exiles from being triggered. Manager behaviours can include inner critics, controlling self/others/the environment, perfectionism, risk avoidance, caretaking, worrying, striving, pleasing, denial, displacement, projecting and intellectualising. The reactive protective Parts (Firefighters) get activated after an exile has been triggered. They try to distract the client from pain. Examples of Firefighter behaviour include dissociation, fantasising, somatising, anger/rage, addictions, eating disorders, panic, obsessions, compulsions, hoarding, NSSI and suicidality.
At the outset of therapy an IFS therapist hears the client’s presenting complaint as one Part speaking. The IFS therapist witnesses this Part acknowledging how it is trying to help the client and then seeks permission to hear from all Parts involved in the issue. The IFS therapist supports the client to unblend or differentiate from each Part and enter an internal dialogue. Clients learn to listen inside themselves with self-compassion and curiosity (Self), and, in the process release beliefs, emotions, sensations, patterns and urges that have constrained their lives. As Parts are witnessed, they become more flexible in how they respond to the world as well as with each other. The central healing relationship in IFS is between the Self of the client and his/her Parts.
The Benefits of IFS for therapists:
IFS advances treatment by:
Feedback for Leona’s recent training presentations:
“I have attended training with Leona on several occasions and have been truly impressed with the experiential way she designs, delivers and facilitates learning. She is clear, concise and loads of fun! All participants were fully engaged in a dynamic learning experience which I would highly recommend."
"Leona is an innovative and creative presenter who makes her material accessible to the novice mind. Her deep knowledge and love of IFS shines through and her generosity in sharing case studies and personal experiences makes the training come alive. I recommend this course to anyone interested in the workings of the human psyche.”
"Leona is a knowledgeable and engaging trainer who is able to hold the space for all levels of learning.”
File type | File name | Number of pages | |
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Handout 1 - Pre-reading IFS chapter 20 (9.17 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
Handout 2 : Getting to know a part (0.08 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
Handout 3 - Getting know a part 6F's (1.67 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
Handout 4 - Presenter slides (1.66 MB) | Available after Purchase |
Leona Dawson (Master’s in Counselling & Psychotherapy, MA Language & Literacy, Cert Therapeutic Journal Writing, Dip Transpersonal Art Therapy, Dip Clinical Hypnosis & Strategic Psychotherapy, Cert IV Workplace Training & Assessment) is a Level 3 certified IFS therapist and IFSI consultant. She has worked as a program assistant for Australia and international Level 1 and 2 trainings. She has also delivered workshops for PESI Australia. Leona works in private practice.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Leona Dawson maintains a private practice. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Leona Dawson has no relevant non-financial relationships.
Learning objectives of this training:
“All parts are welcome.” - when we look within ourselves, putting those words into practice, we open the way to deep inner transformation as ‘Parts’ come to realise they are not stuck in their roles and can choose to support us in a different ways. IFS unlocks that ability.” Leona Dawson
How will you benefit from attending this training?
Morning Session (includes a short break)
Afternoon Session (includes a short break)
Evaluation and quiz - your payment includes a quiz which when completed with a minimum of 80% correct answers, will enable you to download your Attendance Certificate.
To complete the quiz, please log into your account at pdp-catalogue.com.au and click the orange "Certificate" button under the program's title.
For live webcasts, post-tests must be completed within one month of viewing the program.
This seminar has been designed to extend the clinical knowledge and applied skill of Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Coaches, Psychologists, Hypnotherapists, Social Workers, Community Workers, Mental Health Nurses and Psychiatrists.
Morning Session
9:00am - 12:45pm
Includes a 15 minutes break at 10:45am
Lunch Break
12:45pm - 1:45pm
Afternoon Session
1:45pm - 5:00pm
Includes a 15 minutes break at 3:15pm
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