In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the Internal Family Systems Model of Psychotherapy (IFS), which has been empirically validated and shown to be effective across diverse populations. Developed by Richard Schwartz PhD, with contributions from Susan McConnell, the IFS model provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing psychological issues. This session will focus particularly on the Somatic Internal Family Systems (SIFS) approach, which incorporates somatic awareness, conscious breathing, radical resonance, mindful movement, and attuned touch. By deliberately attending to bodily sensations, breath patterns, movements, and energetic patterns, SIFS aims to facilitate healing and resolution of body-based trauma symptoms.
During this introductory training, participants will have the opportunity to engage in basic Somatic IFS practices, allowing them to experience the transformative power of this integrated therapeutic strategy firsthand. The use of IFS and SIFS has been shown to foster healing across various dimensions—psychological, physical, relational, and social—highlighting the fundamental right of every individual to achieve holistic well-being. This workshop equips clinicians with additional tools to enhance their clinical practice and effectively support clients from diverse backgrounds.
Learning Objectives:
- Assess the significance of integrating somatic awareness techniques in psychotherapeutic interventions for addressing body-based trauma symptoms and promoting holistic well-being.
- Identify at least two practices that can assist a client in better understanding body-based symptoms or internal parts.
- Describe at least two ways in which a Somatic IFS approach differs from a traditional IFS process.