Frank Anderson presents: Treating Complex Trauma with Internal Family Systems – Live 2025

Treating Complex 
Trauma with 
Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Spend two immersive days learning directly from Dr. Frank Anderson, a psychiatrist, IFS trainer, and trauma specialist, as he bridges the gap between neuroscience and Internal Family Systems therapy. Whether you’re new to IFS or looking to refine your expertise, this workshop will equip you with practical tools to help clients heal more effectively.

• • ✔ Neuroscience Meets IFS – Learn how brain-based psychotherapy enhances IFS interventions.
  • ✔ Expert-Led & Interactive – Work directly with Dr. Anderson in a live setting.
  • ✔ Practical Takeaways – Walk away with strategies you can use immediately with clients.

September 11-12, 2025

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM MST

Two ways to attend:
In-person in Sandy, UT
or Live Online

Venue:
Karen Gail Miller Conference Center
9750 S 300 W Sandy, UT 84070
(SLCC Miller Campus)

Earn up to 13 CE

CE Certificate included when requirements met*

Approved by NBCC, and meets Oregon Counselor and Therapist CE requirements.
Approved by NASW, NASW-NewJersey

Suncrest Counseling has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7258. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Suncrest Counseling is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

*See all CE info

Course Overview

Treating Complex Trauma with Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Live hands-on training transforms your approach to trauma therapy

Traditional psychotherapy often sees “parts” as pathological. Internal Family Systems (IFS) views the multiplicity of the mind as normal—every part has value, even for those who have experienced trauma.

Unlike phase-oriented trauma treatments, IFS doesn’t require resource-building before addressing trauma. Instead, it engages extreme symptoms early, explores their protective roles, and gains their permission to access traumatic wounds. IFS also differs from attachment-focused therapies by emphasizing the client’s “Self” as the primary healing agent.

Hailed by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk as a must-know approach for trauma clinicians, IFS is an evidence-based method that helps clients access their inner healing potential. Once you see it in action, you’ll want to integrate it into your practice.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Maintain clarity and calm when working with clients in extreme states.
2. Understand the difference between compassionate and empathic responses—and how each can help or escalate a client.
3. Recognize when to step in as an “auxiliary brain” for top-down regulation.
4. Learn when to slow things down and engage the body for bottom-up processing.

Intended Audience & Prerequisites

Intended Audience

This training is designed for mental health professionals, including psychologists, counselors, clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists. It is suitable for practitioners at foundational to intermediate knowledge of and practical application of IFS techniques

Professionals from other fields not eligible for CE credits are welcome to attend and may request a Certificate of Attendance.

Course Prerequisites

No prior experience with IFS is required, and all mental health professionals are welcome to attend. While familiarity with the model and its terminology will enhance the learning experience, the live demonstrations, group exercises Q&A sessions with Dr. Frank Anderson provide valuable insights for both beginners and experienced practitioners alike. For those new to IFS, reviewing the Glossary of Terms and IFS Model Outline on the IFS Institute website before the training would be beneficial.

About Frank G. Anderson, MD

Psychiatrist, Therapist, Trauma Treatment Specialist, Author and Speaker

Frank Guastella Anderson, MD, completed his residency and was a clinical instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is both a psychiatrist and psychotherapist. He specializes in the treatment of trauma and dissociation and is passionate about teaching brain-based psychotherapy and integrating current neuroscience knowledge with the IFS model of therapy.

Dr. Anderson is a lead trainer at the IFS Institute with Richard Schwartz and maintains a long affiliation with, and trains for, Bessel van der Kolk’s Trauma Center. He serves as an advisor to the International Association of Trauma Professionals (IATP) and was the former chair and director of the Foundation for Self-Leadership.

Dr. Anderson has lectured extensively on the Neurobiology of PTSD and Dissociation and wrote the chapter “Who’s Taking What” Connecting Neuroscience, Psychopharmacology and Internal Family Systems for Trauma in Internal Family Systems Therapy – New Dimensions. He co-authored a chapter on What IFS Brings to Trauma Treatment in Innovations and Elaborations in Internal Family Systems Therapy.

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Registration Closed
Two interactive days with Dr. Anderson

What is Internal Family System (IFS)?

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a powerful, evidence-based model that helps people access their innate ability to heal. It views the mind as a system of distinct inner parts—some protective, some wounded—all led by the core Self. When people learn to access their Self, they naturally develop the clarity, compassion, and confidence needed to heal emotional wounds and create lasting change.

Unlike traditional therapy models that seek to eliminate or suppress painful thoughts and emotions, IFS recognizes that all parts serve a purpose. Just as a family functions best when every member feels heard and valued, our internal system thrives when all parts are understood and supported. The goal of IFS is not to get rid of difficult emotions but to help people build a relationship with them, leading to inner harmony and resilience.

While IFS is widely used in psychotherapy to treat trauma, anxiety, depression, and relational struggles, its impact goes far beyond clinical settings. It provides a framework for personal growth, leadership, conflict resolution, and even organizational development. Educators, coaches, mediators, and spiritual leaders have embraced IFS as a tool for fostering connection, self-awareness, and transformation.

At its core, IFS is about Self-leadership—the ability to lead with balance and wisdom in both our inner and outer worlds. When connected to the Self, individuals naturally embody what IFS defines as the 8 Cs of healing and wholeness:

• Calmness – The ability to stay grounded and maintain inner peace, even in stressful situations.
• Curiosity – A genuine openness to understanding oneself and others without judgment.
• Compassion – Seeing beyond anger or reactivity to recognize the pain behind it, with a desire to help.
• Confidence – Trusting in one’s worth and ability to navigate challenges with Self-leadership.
• Courage – Facing fears, taking responsibility for one’s actions, and advocating for healing.
• Clarity – Seeing situations, emotions, and parts of the Self clearly, without distortion or projection.
• Creativity – Tapping into new ideas and possibilities free from shame or limiting beliefs.
• Connectedness – Feeling a deep sense of connection to all parts of oneself and to others.

Through IFS, individuals don’t just learn to manage their struggles—they learn to lead their lives with greater clarity, creativity, and connection.

Continuing Education Information

Course Completion Requirements

Please note that while we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information regarding continuing education (CE) approvals, you, as a participant in this program, are responsible for verifying specific needs for your license. Requirements and instructions may vary depending on the accrediting bodies, professional organizations affiliated with your license, and each state’s licensing board. We try to align our workshops with relevant guidelines and standards issued by approved professional organizations listed below. However, it is advisable to confirm that the content and CE hours offered by our workshops meet the specific criteria set forth by your licensing board or organization.

• Attendance and Completion: Attendees must participate in the entire workshop to be eligible for CE hours. No partial credit will be given. This includes timely arrival to each session and staying for the entire duration of the workshop/training sessions. In addition to other online attendance tracking methods, we use Zoom attendee reporting to verify minutes your device(s) were connected to this session. If your Zoom user is under a different name or alias, it is your responsibility to notify the Zoom moderators.
• Verification of Attendance: You are required to follow a sign-in and sign-out process to verify attendance. Instructions will be provided for your program and format.
• Evaluation and Feedback: Attendees must complete an evaluation form or survey at the end of the workshop, no later than seven days after the program.
• Professional Responsibility: Attendees determine whether the workshop aligns with their professional development needs and whether the content applies to their practice. The completion certificate does not imply endorsement or certification of any specific technique, intervention, or approach.
• Course Certificate: There is no additional charge to receive a PDF completion certificate for this training. The evaluation form on the last day of the training will allow you to designate the association, your full name, and your license number as they should appear on your certificate.

Check back on this page as more CE information and approvals may be added leading up to the program.

Important Disclaimers

Certification Disclaimer:
This training is not endorsed, sponsored, or affiliated with the IFS Institute and does not qualify for IFS Institute credits or certification.

Attendee Waiver:
This workshop includes live demonstrations, during which volunteers may role-play clients or share personal experiences as part of the learning process. These activities may be emotionally activating and could bring up unresolved or sensitive material for some participants.

If you experience emotional distress or activation during the event, we encourage you to pause, step away, and seek support from a licensed mental health professional. Please notify an online moderator or in-person staff member if you need immediate assistance.

By attending this workshop, you acknowledge these potential risks and agree to participate at your own discretion.

Speaker Financial Disclosures

Dr. Frank Anderson maintains a private practice. He receives royalties as a published author and a speaking honorarium from Suncrest Counseling. Dr. Anderson has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.

Accommodations

Suncrest Counseling is committed to ensuring accessibility for all participants. If you require additional accommodations, please contact candace@suncrestcounseling.com at least 10 days before the event.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be made in writing and emailed to events@suncrestcounseling.com and will be honored as follows:

We can provide refunds minus a $75 cancellation fee if an attendee cancels at least ten days in advance. No refunds will be issued if registration is canceled within ten days of the webinar.

In the rare event that we need to cancel a webinar due to circumstances beyond our control, we will make every effort to notify attendees with as much advance notice as possible. Attendees will be allowed to transfer to another webinar or obtain a full refund.

We don’t provide refunds due to:

• Attendee technology problems: It is the responsibility of the webinar attendees to test their computer setup prior to the start of the webinar. If a technical failure at your home or workplace prevents access to the live webinar, you are not eligible for a refund. We will consider issuing a refund if the technical problem is due to our error.
• Attendee email issues: Refunds will not be issued in cases where an attendee did not receive the webinar login instruction email due to issues like restricted emails, bounced emails, or any other system issues. It is the attendee’s responsibility to contact us if they don’t receive the required login information at least 24 hours prior to the start time of the webinar.
• No shows: Attendees who do not participate in the live webinar will not be entitled to a refund.

Grievances

For any grievances or concerns, please contact events@suncrestcounseling.com. Your feedback is valuable and helps us improve future programs.