I am a Certified Internal Family Systems practitioner. I am not a therapist, but have completed IFS training in Levels 1, 2 and 3 and continue in ongoing training and consultation groups. I am also a client of IFS therapy for continued personal growth to support the people I work with.
LEVEL 1 TRAINING PROGRAM (484) IN INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS THERAPY, January 27-June 15, 2019
LEVEL 2 INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM (498) SHAME, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION, December 4-8, 2019
LEVEL 2 INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM (534) ADDICTIONS AND EATING DISORDERS, January 16-29, 2020
LEVEL 3 TRAINING PROGRAM- online, (581), March 28-April 1, 2020
Somatic IFS Training with Susan McConnell, online and in person completed July, 2022
IFS Embodying the Healing Wisdom with IFS Founder Richard Schwartz week at Kripalu, August, 2018
IFS Negotiating Relationships with IFS Founder Richard Schwartz IFS week at Kripalu, March, 2019
2021 Online Workshops with lead trainers: Working with Challenging Protectors and Critics 2021 online with Chris Burris, Working with Highly Conflictual Couples- Mary Kruger, Firefighters & Addiction with Robert Falconer, ‘Heart Lessons of the Journey’ workshop with Cece Sykes, Dick Schwartz Couples.
Online courses completed:
IFS Online Circle: Foundations of the IFS Model A year long module 2016
Internal Family Systems (IFS) & Anxiety, Depression, and Shame 4 month module
Internal Family Systems (IFS) & Intimacy From the Inside Out 4 month module
Trauma, Neuroscience and Internal Family Systems (IFS) 4 month module
Internal Family Systems (IFS) & The Voices of Addiction 4 month module
Internal Family Systems (IFS) & Children and Adolescents 4 month module
Accessing and Living from the Self 5 week course 2018
Internal Family Systems (IFS) & Diversity and Inclusion 4 month module 2019
Life had a funny way of leading me into things I was trying to run away from. As a young adult I distracted myself from buried pain with self soothing options that came along. Little did I know that would lead to another problem. Somewhere along the way, I lost myself and slowly grew ill until my body spoke up. I needed help.
From this valley my journey to IFS began. A several year search for physical healing led me to therapy. But this time things were different. Something inside me deeply resonated with the IFS model of healing, and I found the piece of me that I had lost when I was running from my pain - Self compassion. What I had discarded was my key to escape.
IFS helped me bring clarity and balance to my inner system by unburdening parts from fears taken on decades ago. Although I explored each part as a unique individual, our relationship results in greater unity than I have ever known before. I remember well the day I recognized that my seemingly unquenchable yearning to be fully known, fully seen and deeply understood had finally been met. How can mere words describe the longing of a lifetime met in a mere moment of recognition? It has meant everything to me, and I wish that for you also.
Part of what I bring to an IFS session comes from over 30 years of working with children as a teacher. There I learned patience and compassion from being alongside children in their vulnerable experiences. I also cared for domestic animals shepherding the nutrition and care for over 100 live lamb births. Midwifery strengthened my value of courage and stillness. I learned to use a soft gentle voice and attend to the ewe and her newborn's need for space. I leaned on and trusted their natural instincts offering support only as needed. Minutes after birth, a newborn lamb shakes briefly as it stands to its feet lead by its sense of smell toward nourishment and connection. These moments of connection cannot be hurried along. A good shepherd tends with little interference, holding space in a trusting humble manner as this bonding is critical for survival.
This is what I bring to your IFS healing journey, a confident presence to support you should the need arise. My experience as a skillful shepherd built character to support you in beginning healthy relationships with all parts of you.
My training in and personal experience of IFS therapy as a client helps me to continue to hone these skills that enable me to be a trustworthy support in your most fragile moments. Recognizing my own vulnerabilities and embracing them with a confident, compassionate Self and witnessing the feelings of others helps me to Understand and believe what is possible for you... Healing from the inside out.
Contact me to hear more on how I work and discover how you can benefit from IFS.
Leave a message or Text: 585.205.8332 thejoyofself@gmail.com