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Introduction to Internal Family Systems

CE Hours 3 Clinical

About this course

Unlock the power of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy in our dynamic workshop! Gain a solid understanding of IFS's foundational theories and discover how to navigate the complexities of client behaviors. Learn to identify different parts and master techniques to facilitate deep healing. Engage with compelling case demonstrations and participate in interactive exercises designed to enhance your therapeutic skills. Join us and elevate your practice with cutting-edge IFS insights and strategies! Perfect for therapists who want to move beyond diagnosis and help clients understand why they feel and react the way they do—without shame or blame. No prior experience with IFS is necessary—just bring your curiosity and openness to learn.

Please note: participants will be watching a recorded video.

Learning Objectives

  • briefly generalize the relationship between systems thinking and family systems; a system is a system is a system; and how to apply to clinical practice.
  • explain the notion of multiplicity of the mind– and a Self.
  • interpret clinical symptoms through the lens of IFS and develop a comprehensive understanding of how to apply the model to the client's specific needs.
  • summarize the goal of IFS is for the internal system to be in balance, with Self as the leader and evaluate the characteristics of Self and its role in the internal system of the client.
  • list the three types of parts in IFS and their impact on the client's internal system.
  • describe the principles of IFS and how they can be applied in working with anxious or traumatized parts to reduce their intensity and impact on clients' daily lives.
  • discover how mapping of parts facilitates more self-agency and ultimate healing of parts burdened by their roles or trapped in time and space.
  • name at least one attribute of Self energy which is the timeless, essential core of one’s being and its qualities known as the “8 C’s”

Learning Levels

  • Beginner and Intermediate, all levels are welcome

Target Audience

All mental health professionals welcome.

Course Instructor(s)

  • Karen Sprinkel, M.A., LMFT, SEP, CCTP

    Karen Sprinkel Ancelet is a psychotherapist, consultant, teacher, and author. Her unique East-West approach to healing trauma emerged over the seven years she lived in Asia. She has a very diverse background of experience, qualifications, and certifications gained over her 30 years of practicing psychotherapy. Her specialty is a combined trauma modality and certifications in EMDR, Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems (IFS, L3), HeartMath, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), and Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies (PAT).

    She is also trained in many other techniques, including but not limited to Flash Technique, Havening, EFT, ACT, Somatic Narrative and Resiliency, Ego-State, AEDP (Accelerated Experiential-Dynamic Psychotherapy), HeartMath and Vagas Toning. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and Continuing Education provider. She is licensed to practice therapy in California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Michigan. Karen is a member of multiple trauma treatment organizations. Karen has worked as a clinician with private clients for 30 years, while also working in mental health management in a variety of settings, including the following: as Director of Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement at East Bay Agency for Children, Manager of Clinical Administration at United Behavioral Health, and Director of Guidance and Counseling at Dulwich International College, Phuket, Thailand. Other direct clinical positions have included as a therapist at Clearwater Clinic and Assessment Services in Oakland, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and Director of Victim Services at Families and Friends of Violent Crime Victims in Washington State.

Disclosure

EngagedMinds Continuing Education, Erena DiGonis, and planners have no financial disclosures or commercial bias or promote commercial interests during CE activities.

References

  • American Psychiatric Association (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed. Text Revised) Arlington, VA.
  • Anderson, F (2017). Internal Family Systems Skills Training. Eau Claire, WI: PESI Piblishing.
  • Brown, G. O. S. (2020). Internal Family Systems Informed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: An Integrative Technique for Treatment of Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. International Body Psychotherapy Journal, 19(2).
  • Cloitre, M. (2021). Complex PTSD: Assessment and treatment. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(sup1), 1866423.
  • D’Antoni, F., Matiz, A., Fabbro, F., & Crescentini, C. (2022). Psychotherapeutic techniques for distressing memories: A comparative study between EMDR, brainspotting, and body scan meditation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1142.
  • Ford, J. D., & Courtois, C. A. (2021). Complex PTSD and borderline personality disorder. Borderline personality disorder and emotion dysregulation, 8(1), 16.
  • Hodgdon, H. B., Anderson, F. G., Southwell, E., Hrubec, W., & Schwartz, R. (2022). Internal family systems (IFS) therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among survivors of multiple childhood trauma: A pilot effectiveness study. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 31(1), 22–43.
  • Lucero, R., Jones, A. C., & Hunsaker, J. C. (2018). Using internal family systems theory in the treatment of combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and their families. Contemporary Family Therapy, 40(3), 266–275.
  • Mojta, C., Falconier, M.K., & Huebner, A.J. (2014). Fostering Self-awareness in novice therapists using internal family systems therapy. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 42(1), 67-78.
  • Redfern, E. E. & Shohet, R. (2022). Self in internal family systems therapy. Thresholds, (April), 27–29).
  • Schwartz, R (2023). Introduction to Internal Family Systems. Louisville, CO. Sounds True.
  • Schwartz, R (2021). No Bad Parts. Louisville, CO: Sounds True.
  • Sprinkel Ancelet, Karen, (2023). A New Paradigm for Healing Trauma in the Mind, Body and Spirit and Moving Beyond it. Amazon: The Thriving Self. Independent Publisher.
  • Sweezy, M. (2023). Internal Family Systems for Shame and Guilt. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
  • van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma. New York City, NY: Penguin Books.
  • Yachi, C. T., Hitomi, T., & Yamaguchi, H. (2018). Two Experiments on the Psychological and Physiological Effects of Touching Effect of Touching on the HPA Axis-Related Parts of the Body on Both Healthy and Traumatized Experiment Participants. Behav Sci (Basel), 8(10): 95. doi: 10.3390/bs8100095.

CE Process Info

Content

  • Materials
    2 parts
    • Training Handout
    • Training Video
  • Bonus Video
    1 parts
    • Brief Demo
  • New York State Education Department's State Board for SW (NYSW)

    EngagedMinds Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0676.

  • Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

    EngagedMinds Continuing Education, #1858, formerly Erena DiGonis, LCSW, PLLC, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/25/2024-8/25/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3 continuing education credits.

  • National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

    EngagedMinds Continuing Education has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7455. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. EngagedMinds Continuing Education is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for LMHC (NYS LMHC)

    EngagedMinds Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0284.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners (NYS LMFT)

    EngagedMinds Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0117.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology (NYSEDPSY)

    Erena DiGonis, LCSW, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0270.

Introduction to Internal Family Systems
You Have Completed This course
$67
You are enrolled
  • CE Hours
    3
  • Type
    Self-Paced
  • Publication Date
    Aug 27th, 2025

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