Internal Family Systems
Our Courses
Advance your IFS skills. Expand your capacity.
Our courses are taught by respected IFS trainers, consultants, and senior practitioners from around the world.
These are not rehashes of Level 1 — they go deeper, broader, and more personal.
Upcoming Courses & Workshops:
IFS & Somatic Integration – with Dr. Alaya James
Working with Firefighters in Addictive Systems – with David Kaplan
Becoming an IFS Presenter – a mentorship series with Toni Benson
Cultural Complexity & Parts – with Luma Collective
Courses are open to non-members, but IFS Healers members get early registration and discounts.
Looking to teach or assist?
We’re always nurturing the next generation of PAs and faculty.
16 Weeks – Foundation Course
Sigrid Kulkowitz LMFT
16 x 3 hr sessions – Online
The goals for this course are for you:
to learn and understand the IFS model and be able to apply it to your own internal system, your patients/clients and one another
to be able to ask as many questions as you need and know where to go for further information and learning
to form peer support groups so that your practice can continue to evolve
to be invigorated in your practice and to see remarkable and permanent changes in many of your clients
to learn IFS as a peace-making practice for you, your clients, your families, and communities
to discover and strengthen your relationship with the spiritual and naturally healing core of your being
Nuance and Attunement in the IFS Model
By Stephanie Mitchell
IFS Level 3 Certified Therapist
7 x 3 hr sessions – Online
An Interpersonal Neurobiologically Informed Approach to Working with Relational Trauma
Working with clients who are new to IFS and ‘can’t go inside’
Listening to what is under what is being said
Attending to languaging – yours and the clients
Seamlessly moving from Implicit Direct Access to Insight and back
Recognizing and working with shame in clients with complex trauma
Using the therapist’s Self energy for co-regulation
Attunement skills for different types of clients
Recognizing and working with your parts who respond to certain populations of clients
Skills & Drills
Sylvia Schyberg LCSW
Certified IFS Therapist and Consultant
16 x 3 hour sessions online
The IFS Institute has published 8 Core Competencies, which are key if you are seeking certification. This course builds on your IFSI Level 1, IFS Healers Foundations Course or equivalent basic training.
While you already know the foundational structure of the model, this course is designed to help you grow into the IFS Practitioner/Therapist you are meant to be. You will become more proficient at:
Finding and Fleshing Out Elusive Parts: Skills for connecting with parts that are hard to identify or resistant to engagement.
Befriending Challenging Protectors: Navigating managers and firefighters, including extreme expressions like addiction or self-harm, with curiosity and compassion.
Working with Complex Polarizations: Effectively mediating internal conflicts to uncover underlying exiles.
Mastering Direct Access: Skillfully employing both implicit and explicit direct access techniques to foster profound Self-part connection.
Guiding the Healing Steps: Deepening your comfort and confidence through Witnessing, Redoing, Invitation, and Integration.
“David Stern is born to teach. He knows and experiences IFS in mind, body and heart, and conveys the concepts and the techniques from that deep well. He is kind, clear, and connected. I have seen him be part of a group and almost immediately be recognized as a leader, even if he wasn’t in that role. People look to him for clarity and ever more expansive views of our inner system and the Self that permeates it.”
– Nancy Berkowitz
“I very much enjoyed the course, one of the most interesting and rewarding self-development opportunities I have ever had and I was lucky to have you as such a calm, engaging and talented guide. I will continue to use ifs in my school role and perhaps more widely – who knows?”
– Ross Orton, Educator
“David’s extensive skill base, sweet intuition and genuine care all rounded out to provide a wonderful IFS Course experience for me. I now use the method extensively both personally and professionally! I highly recommend diving into the wonderful world of IFS with David Stern – you will give your Self, and all your precious parts, the gift of loving presence.”
– Vanya Laporte, Registered Clinical Counsellor
“I am so grateful for the learning that has come my way in all of the sessions. I feel like a better clinician, partner, and mother as I engage and get to know my parts. IFS with your guidance has helped me feel more empowered in my practice and my personal life.”
– Leah Mansback, LCSW, LICSW
“I can’t say how much my work has improved since your course. Clients report making significant changes in their understanding and I feel o much more relaxed.”
– Laurin Drinker LCHMC