Help Clients Heal With More Clarity, Compassion, and Self-Leadership

Join Dr. Richard Schwartz and Dr. Jeanne Catanzaro for two days of demonstrations, case discussion, and actionable skills you can bring to sessions immediately.

COURSE OVERVIEW

Unlocking the Healing Self: A Deep Dive Into Internal Family Systems Model

Watch IFS in action. See how parts relax when they feel safe, allowing Self to lead—and how that unlocks lasting change.

• ✔ Live demos with Dr. Schwartz & Dr. Catanzaro
• ✔ Actionable skills for trauma, attachment injuries, legacy burdens
• ✔ Interactive Q&A and case discussion

June 25-26, 2026

9:00 AM – 4:30 PM ET

Two ways to attend: In-person in Grand Rapids, MI or Live Online (Zoom)

Venue:
Amway Grand Plaza,
187 Monroe NW
Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Earn 12 CE

CE Certificate included

Approved associations:
• National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• Michigan Board of Social Workers
• Ohio Psychological Association

Suncrest Counseling, P.C
“Unlocking the Healing Self: A Deep Dive Into Internal Family Systems Model”
ACEP No. 7258.

*This program is under review See all CE info

Course Overview

Help Clients Heal With More Clarity, Compassion, and Self-Leadership

Across two days, you’ll deepen IFS theory and practice. See IFS in action—then apply some techniques Monday morning

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an evidence-based therapeutic model that conceptualizes the mind as a system of “parts,” each with distinct emotional roles, beliefs, and protective strategies. The model also identifies a core Self that can guide internal interactions with clarity and compassion. This workshop provides an introduction to the theoretical foundations of IFS and its application in clinical settings.

Participants will examine protector and exile dynamics, the impact of trauma and attachment injuries on internal functioning, and the process of unblending to increase access to Self. The course will also address the concept of legacy burdens—intergenerational beliefs, emotions, and behavioral patterns transmitted through family or cultural systems—and their influence on parts’ roles and responses. Additional emphasis will be placed on therapist self-awareness, transference and countertransference through an IFS lens, and the maintenance of a Self-led therapeutic stance. Training methods include lecture, live demonstrations, video demonstrations, and experiential skills practice to support the integration of IFS interventions into clinical practice.

[Example of role play and discussion on self-led leadership]

Note:
This training teaches skills and demonstrates the model. Certification in IFS is only available through the IFS Institute. Learn more about IFS certification.

Learning Objectives

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

1. Define the core constructs of IFS (Self, parts, protectors, exiles) and accurately label them in at least two case vignettes.
2. Identify at least three indicators that a client is accessing Self and distinguish these from manager or firefighter presentations.
3. Formulate a treatment plan that sequences IFS interventions (e.g., mapping, unblending, direct access) for a trauma case scenario.
4. Demonstrate two strategies to reduce resistance in protective parts while maintaining a Self-led stance.
5. Describe how internal attachment dynamics operate within IFS and map those dynamics to an attachment-injury vignette.
6. Explain how trauma adaptations shape parts’ roles and select one IFS intervention to increase safety for exiles.
7. Implement a stepwise process for unblending and increasing Self-leadership during an activation, using sample prompts.
8. Apply IFS-consistent responses to transference and countertransference in a role-play, preserving a Self-led therapeutic alliance.
9. Assess therapist parts that may impact treatment and outline a personal practice to increase Self-to-part relationships.
10. Conduct a brief parts-mapping exercise and document target outcomes for two prioritized parts.
11. Legacy Burdens: Assess for intergenerational beliefs/rules (e.g., shame, perfectionism, hypervigilance) and design an IFS-informed intervention plan (e.g., witnessing, retrieval, unburdening) to address one identified legacy burden.
12. Evaluate treatment progress using at least two observable markers (e.g., part unblending, reduced polarization) and adjust the IFS plan accordingly.

About Richard Schwartz, PhD

Founder of Internal Family Systems

Richard C. Schwartz, PhD, is the creator of Internal Family Systems, a highly effective, therapeutic model with a growing evidence base, that de-pathologizes the multi-part personality. Richard is also the Founder of the IFS Institute that primarily offers training for professionals. He is currently a Teaching Associate in Psychiatry, at Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate. Richard has authored or co-authored more than ten books on Internal Family Systems and related topics, including No Bad Parts and Internal Family Systems Therapy. Dick lives near Chicago with his wife Jeanne, Vice President of the IFS Institute, close to his three daughters and six grandchildren.

About Jeanne Catanzaro, PhD

Vice President & co-owner, Internal Family Systems Institute

Dr. Catanzaro is a clinical psychologist with more than thirty years of experience treating eating disorders and trauma. Trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, and EMDR, she later grounded her work in IFS. She is the author of Unburdened Eating and contributes to the growth and teaching of IFS worldwide.

Join this two-day, live IFS training with Dr. Schwartz & Dr. Catanzaro

What is Internal Family Systems (IFS)?

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an evidence-based model that views the mind as a system of distinct inner parts led by the core Self. When parts feel safe and connected to Self, healing accelerates.

Rather than suppressing symptoms, IFS helps clients build relationships with parts so the system can reorganize around Self-leadership.

IFS is widely used for trauma, anxiety, depression, and relational struggles—and also supports growth in leadership, education, and coaching contexts.

In this video, Dr. Richard Schwartz explains IFS

Continuing Education Information

Course Completion Requirements

Attendees must participate in the entire workshop to be eligible for CE hours; no partial credit. Sign-in/sign-out and Zoom attendance verification (for online) are required. Complete the evaluation within seven days. Confirm applicability with your licensing board.

Speaker Financial Disclosures

Dr. Richard Schwartz is the Founder and President of the IFS Institute, maintains a private practice, and has an employment relationship with Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Schwartz and Dr. Catanzaro have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Presenters receive a speaking honorarium from Suncrest Counseling.

Accommodations

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

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be emailed to events@suncrestcounseling.com. Refunds are available minus a $75 fee if canceled at least 10 days in advance. No refunds within 10 days of the webinar. If Suncrest cancels, you may transfer or receive a full refund.

• Attendee technology problems: Test your setup prior to the webinar. Refunds aren’t issued for attendee-side technical failures.
• Attendee email issues: Contact us 24+ hours before start time if you haven’t received login details.
• No shows: Not eligible for refund.

Grievances

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