This course is not a substitute for the IFS Institute Level 1 training and it is not offered by the IFS Institute. We hope to provide a basic foundation for using IFS with other trans, nonbinary, and queer participants who also work professionally within trans, queer, and nonbinary communities. Many participants may use this course to determine whether to pursue further training through the IFS Institute.
This opening session participants will begin to build a container together to foster a brave and collaborative learning environment, learn the history of the IFS model, and introduce the concept of Self-leadership.
This session will offer participants the opportunity to begin learning about the overall flow of the IFS model, how to differentiate between parts and Self, the core skill of unblending, and an introduction to the 6 F’s in working with protectors. A combination of lecture, experiential exercises, and small group practice sessions will be used.
This session will focus on learning each of the 6 F’s in depth and practicing how to apply this in session with clients.
This session is focused on differentiating the different parts: protectors (managers and firefighters) and exiles. We will then focus on addressing protector fears, and clarifying the nature of different parts through the use of demos and experientials.
Participants will learn about the healing steps to unburden exiles.
Participants will continue to learn about the healing steps, how to manage the flow of the session within the IFS model, and building continuity between sessions..
This session will focus on reviewing the application of the flow of the model, how to recognize legacy and cultural burdens, and IFS applications for queer and trans clients.
This session will introduce polarizations, basic strategies for how to work with them, and the technique of direct access.
This session will explore and focus on parts of the therapist that can be activated in the therapeutic relationship, and strategies for working with one’s own parts in reaction to clients.
The course will be co-taught by Nic Wildes, LMHC (they/them) and Sand Chang, PhD (they/them), both Certified IFS therapists, experienced Program Assistants, and IFSI-Approved Consultants.
Sand is a Chinese American nonbinary psychologist and DEI consultant who works at the intersection of trans health, eating disorders, trauma recovery, and body liberation. They are a Certified IFS therapist, Body Trust provider, and EMDR therapist. They are also in Advanced Somatic Experiencing training.
Nic is a white queer transmasculine mental health counselor with a passion for using IFS to empower queer, trans, and nonbinary people. They are a Certified IFS therapist and IFSI approved consultant. Nic is co-director of SAYFTEE, a Boston-based group practice serving LGBTQI+ people and those who love them.
Those interested in CEs will be charged an additional $30 processing fee.
The Affirmative Couch, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Affirmative Couch, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
The deadline for applying for the 3rd cohort is Sunday November 27, 2022. Once you are offered a spot, we will ask you to confirm that you are still interested before sending you an invoice (for credit card payment). Your payment will secure your spot. We can hold your spot for 7 days before having to offer it to another interested participant (unless otherwise discussed with the instructors). We are also able to negotiate a payment plan if needed. Scholarships are available for a limited number of participants who would not be able to attend without financial assistance. We are not offering specific discounts for pre-licensed people at this time. Please contact us to inquire about scholarship options. If you are unable to attend the training, we can offer a full refund if canceled by December 23, 2022. We can offer a 50% refund between December 24, 2022 to January 6, 2023. There will be no refunds after January 6, 2023.
Before you apply, please make sure that you are available to attend at the following times:
Because of the experiential nature of this course, it is strongly encouraged that you be in attendance for all hours of the course. If you anticipate needing to miss more than 3 hours of the course, we ask that you let us know in advance given how it will impact the learning experience. If you are requesting CE credits, you will have to attend all hours of each session of training to receive CE credits for that session.
Please keep in mind that spaces are limited (15 participants). We are also committed to creating a space that is diverse across race and gender, so we are prioritizing BIPOC and/or trans applicants. If you do not participate in this training, we will keep you in mind for the next cycle of training that we do.
American Psychological Association. (2015). Guidelines for psychological practice with transgender and gender nonconforming people. American Psychologist, 70(9), 832-864.
Anderson, F. G., Sweezy, M., & Schwartz, R. (2017). Internal family systems skills training manual: trauma-informed treatment for anxiety, depression, PTSD & substance abuse. PESI Publishing & Media.
binaohan, b. (2014). Decolonizing trans/gender 101. biyuti publishing.
Chang, S. C., & Singh, A. A. (2018). A clinician’s guide to gender-affirming care: Working with transgender and gender nonconforming clients. New Harbinger Publications.
Gratton, F. V. (2019). Supporting transgender autistic youth and adults: A guide for professionals and families. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Schwartz, R. C. (2021). No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model. Sounds True.
Schwartz, R. C., & Sweezy, M. (2019). Internal family systems therapy. Guilford Publications.
Singh, A. A. (2018). The queer and transgender resilience workbook: Skills for navigating sexual orientation and gender expression. New Harbinger Publications.
Sweezy, M., & Ziskind, E. L. (Eds.). (2013). Internal family systems therapy: New dimensions. Routledge.
Sweezy, M., & Ziskind, E. L. (Eds.). (2016). Innovations and elaborations in internal family systems therapy. Taylor & Francis.
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