Clinical Applications of Internal Family Systems Therapy: Step-by-Step Procedures for Healing Traumatic Wounds and Alleviating Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Addiction and More

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Alexia Rothman, PhD Related seminars and products

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Alexia (Lexi) D. Rothman, PhD, is a certified IFS therapist and consultant in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Rothman has been in private practice since 2004. She has received extensive training in Internal Family Systems Therapy from IFS developer Dr. Richard Schwartz and has assisted in multiple Level 1 and IFS trainings around the country, as well as serving as a professional consultant for IFS therapists.

She is a United States Presidential Scholar who graduated summa cum laude from Emory University as a Robert W. Woodruff Scholar. Dr. Rothman received her PhD in clinical psychology from UCLA, where she was an Edwin W. Pauley Fellow and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. She has held adjunct faculty positions at Emory University and Agnes Scott College.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Alexia Rothman maintains a private practice. She is co-hosts of the podcasts IFS Masters and Explorations in Psychotherapy. She is a paid trainer with the IFS Institute, and she receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. Dr. Rothman receives compensation as a consultant. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Alexia Rothman is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Georgia Psychological Association, and the National Register of Health Service Psychologists.

Objectives

1. Determine the origins and development of the Internal Family Systems Model, including empirical support for the model and the current status of research using IFS to treat posttraumatic stress disorder.
2. Prepare an in-depth overview of IFS theory, basic principles, assumptions of the model and its treatment implications.
3. Propose the three major components of the psyche as outlined by IFS (parts, burdens, and the self) including the characteristics of and assumptions regarding each component as they relate to clinical practice.
4. Evaluate the goals of IFS therapy and case conceptualization through an IFS lens.
5. Demonstrate IFS procedures and techniques that can be implemented immediately in clinical and personal work, including the steps for facilitating the development of self-Part relationships.
6. Practice the steps of healing and unburdening wounded parts of the system in session.

Outline

• Comprehensive, compassionate, non-pathologizing treatment approach
• Paradigm-shifting perspective on “psychopathology”
• Easily integrated into other therapeutic modalities
• Teach clients to access inner wisdom and self-compassion to permanently heal traumatic wounds

• Development of the IFS model by Richard C. Schwartz, Ph.D.
• IFS as an empirically validated treatment: Summary of research support

• Concept of multiplicity: “We are all multiple personalities.”
• Components of the psyche:
  • Wounded, vulnerable, parts
  • Protective parts: proactive and reactive
  • Burdens: Negative beliefs about oneself
  • The Self: compassionate inner leader and internal source of wisdom and healing energy
• Guide clients to access their own inner wisdom and healing potential
• IFS-specific techniques for in-the-moment emotion regulation, helpful even with panic, flashbacks, and dissociation

• Assumptions of the model
• Goals of IFS therapy
• Flow of the IFS model over the course of treatment
• Flow of an individual IFS session

• Diversity and cultural sensitivity
• How IFS understands personality disorders, dissociative identity disorder, and addiction

IFS Step-by-Step

Step 1: Using Meditative Processes to Identify and Connect with a Target Part

• Differentiate the person from the symptom
• Access a state of compassion and curiosity essential for healing
• Establish a relationship with the target part
• Learn the history and benevolent intention behind the symptom

• Facilitate internal attachment work
• Learn and address the fears/concerns of protective parts
• Establish a trusting and appreciative relationship with proactive and reactive protectors
• Gain permission to proceed to healing

• Develop a compassionate, connected relationship with the wounded part
• Witness the pain rather than re-experience it: Learn to be “with”, not “in”, to avoid re-traumatization
• Retrieve the wounded part from “trauma time”
• Release/unburden thoughts, feelings, and beliefs
• Integrate change into the system and use maintenance and troubleshooting strategies

• Experiential exercise
• Video demonstration of IFS therapy with a real client
• Step-by-step commentary to solidify understanding of techniques illustrated in the video session

Target Audience

• Counselors
• Social Workers
• Psychiatrists
• Psychologists
• Addiction Counselors
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Therapists
• Physicians
• Chaplains/Clergy
• Other Professionals Who Work within the Mental Health Fields