Exploring Arts & Parts: A workshop integrating Therapeutic Arts Practice and IFS

In this workshop MIECAT alumni, Sarah Owens will guide us through experiential practices where we will combine the modalities of Creative Arts Therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy as a way of exploring and giving voice to our inner parts through therapeutic arts practice.

The workshop will include a brief introduction outlining the IFS model and how using therapeutic arts practices can enhance working with our inner 'parts'. 
The workshop will invite opportunities to identify or 'map-out' our parts, externalise and express these parts through art-making and somatic processes, and realign with our innate inner wisdom (called Self energy in the IFS model).

What to Expect

• An introduction to the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model and its connection to therapeutic arts practices.
• Opportunities to identify and 'map-out' inner parts using creative exercises.
• Art-making and somatic practices to externalize and express inner parts.
• Guided activities to realign with innate inner wisdom, also known as Self energy in IFS.
• A supportive, collaborative atmosphere for personal art-making and sharing insights.

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding the IFS framework and its application in Creative Arts Therapy.
• Practical skills to explore and give voice to inner parts through artistic modalities.
• Enhanced self-awareness and connection to inner wisdom (Self energy).
• Tools for using art and somatic processes as mediums for self-expression and healing.

Join us for an afternoon of befriending our parts through the arts. Participants are encouraged to have some basic art materials on hand for the workshop (these might include some coloured markers/textas, pastels or paints, collage materials, clay or natural materials etc). The workshop will provide space and opportunities for you to engage in personal art-making processes as a way of expressing your own inner part/s. You will also be given the invitation to share aspects of your process or insights in small-groups or in the larger group.

About the facilitator
Sarah Owen(she/her) is a registered Art Therapist (AThR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapist working in private practice in Ngunnawal Country (Canberra, ACT). She completed a Master's Degree in Therapeutic Arts Practice through the MIECAT Institute and has undergone training in Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) through the IFS Institute (IFSI). She works with people of all ages and across multiple disciplines, including Creative Arts Therapy, Nature-based Art Therapy, IFS Therapy, and yoga/meditation through her private practice - The Making Space
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/the.making.space/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/the.making.space1/ 

Professional Considerations

Please note that while this workshop values experiential learning and lived experience, it functions as professional development rather than therapy. MIECAT and the facilitator will not be providing therapeutic support to participants during the session.  Please check in with your own capacity and supports while engaging in this workshop and consider their level of engagement.