IFS WORKSHOP Experiential Introduction

A 3-day live workshop introducing the IFS Model of Mind, IFS Psychotherapy for protective parts, and exploring Therapist Parts for Mental Health Professionals, focusing on experiential learning, including live demonstrations, meditations, and practice.

*Must be a Mental Health Professional (or student), and participate in regular clinical supervision, to apply for this workshop!

What is internal Family Systems Therapy?

Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) is a highly effective, non-pathologising, and evidence-based psychotherapy for improving individuals’ mental well-being. IFS is an accessible and intuitive method that incorporates the multiplicity of the personality, Self (spiritual core essence), and systems thinking to treat mental health issues. As an IFS therapist, you will guide your clients to explore their inner world, help them to identify and build relationships with parts of their personality, discover the role of their protective parts, and assist them in understanding the origins of their beliefs and emotions. This therapeutic modality can help release burdened emotions and beliefs and heal trauma.

For many clients IFS is an intuitive approach, allowing them to relate to parts of their personality in a new way, release stuck emotions, and re-consolidate unhelpful beliefs. IFS offers an alternative to other talk therapies; instead of reflecting on the client’s personal narrative, the IFS therapist guides clients into a deeper relationship with their parts and guides them toward Self-healing. As an IFS client, they will gain clarity and relief through direct experience of their internal world, connect with their true inner potential, and may heal their trauma. You will not need to rely on your interpretation of their narrative, but will instead be on a journey with your client to discover the secret histories of their parts and witness the compassion and healing wisdom of their true Self.

What is the IFS Workshop: Experiential Introduction?

This is an intimate (24-person maximum) live 3-day introductory professional development workshop in IFS for mental health clinicians (examples; counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers, mental health clinicians, and students!).

This introductory IFS workshop introduces the IFS model of the mind, how to work therapeutically with protective parts, and explores therapist parts. During the workshop, you will begin to learn and embody the IFS process. Experiencing several experiential components, including live demonstrations, meditations, Q&A, and skills practice.

What are the details of the workshop?

Day 1 - IFS Model of Mind: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Day 2 - Working with Protective Parts: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Day 3 - Exploring Therapist Parts: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

*Doors open from 9 am, we will start at 9:15 sharp.

General Admission Cost: $1000 per person ($900 course fee, $100 non-refundable admin fee) + GST 10% + Humanitix Ticketing Fee.

ACA Member Cost: $990 per person ($900 course fee, $90 non-refundable admin fee) + GST 10% + Humanitix Ticketing Fee

*Enrolment is confirmed upon payment through Humanitix.

Refund: The workshop fee is refundable up to 30 days before the start of the workshop.

Maximum group size: 24 participants.

Does not include meals: There will be a 15-minute tea break and a 60-minute lunch break each day. A selection of teas, coffees, water, and biscuits will be provided. You can purchase breakfast, drinks, snacks and lunch at the cafes in the area or bring your own.

What are the content and experiential components of the IFS Workshop?

Interactive lectures

Day 1 - Introduction to the IFS Model of Mind

What is Internal Family Systems Therapy?
Origins and influences of IFS
The growing evidence base of IFS therapy

Multiplicity
Systems Thinking
Parts - Exiles, Managers, and Fire Fighters
The Self

Day 2 - Introduction to working with IFS Psychotherapy

Working with protective parts
Role of the IFS-Informed Therapist
The 6 F’s
Protector Fears
Unblending
** Content may be different on the day.

Day 3 - Exploration of Therapist Parts

Recognising Therapist Parts
Understanding Agenda in Psychotherapy
Unblending Therapist Parts
Going at your client's pace
Using clients Language

Experiential Components

Daily IFS-guided meditations

Hearing the theory is one thing. Experiencing it is another. Throughout each day, several IFS meditations will give you a direct experience of some of the topics covered in the lectures.

Three live demonstrations of IFS Psychotherapy

Oliver will demonstrate the IFS process with a volunteer from the workshop once a day. The demonstrations will last between 60 - 90 minutes, followed by a debrief with the volunteer and a Q and A with the group.

Practicing the 6 F’s of Working with Protectors

Participants will be given the time and space to practice the IFS 6 Fs process of working with protectors on the second and third days of the workshop in triads. This will be a real-play with each participant pairing up with another participant and taking on the role of client and therapist. If there is an uneven number of participants, one group will have three participants and rotate through the roles of client, therapist, and observer.

Contact the host of IFS Workshop: Experiential Introduction - 18th - 20th September 2026 - Perth, WA