Frank Anderson – 2-Day Intensive Workshop: Treating Complex Trauma with Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Outline

Treating the Various Types of Trauma

• Acute trauma
• PTSD
• Complex or relational trauma
• Developmental and attachment traumas
• Extreme or dissociative trauma

Internal Family Systems (IFS): Healing of Emotional Wounds

• The origins, goals & assumptions
• A non-pathologizing, accelerated approach, rooted in neuroscience
• Different from phase-oriented treatment
  • The importance of our protective responses
  • Deal with emotional overwhelm head-on
• Multiplicity of the mind – we all have parts
• Healing at the cellular level
• Study limitations: small sample size, no control group
• Clinical considerations for clients experiencing abuse

Manage Common Co-Morbidities

• Depression, panic attacks, substance abuse, eating disorders, ADD and OCD
• A non-pathological approach
  • Comorbidities as protective responses to trauma
  • Symptoms as “parts of the self”

Differentiate Therapeutic Issues from Biological Conditions

• Intersection of biology and situation (“Real Mind-Body Medicine”)
• Therapist’s role in biology – When to refer and when to work it through
• Psychotherapy of psychopharmacology

The IFS Technique

Step 1: Identify the Target Symptom

• Identify the “target symptom”
• Apply meditation practices
• Separate the person (self) from the symptom
• Learn about its intention

Step 2: Gain Access to Internal Strengths & Resource for Healing

• Move from defensiveness to curiosity
• The “Self” of the therapist-countertransference redefined
• Access compassion to open the pathways toward healing
• Role of empathy in healing – the benefits and the downsides

Step 3: Find the Fear and Function of the Symptom

• Focusing on its fear
• The real story behind the symptom
• Foster the internal relationship

Attachment Disorders and Relational Trauma

• IFS as internal attachment work
• Attachment styles as parts of self
• Attachment trauma – the role of the therapist
• Heal relational wounds of childhood
• Client’s “Self” as the corrective object
• Work with preverbal trauma

The Neurobiology of Trauma

• Neuroscience for therapists – what you need to know
• Fear circuitry and the development of PTSD
• Extreme reactions and Autonomic Nervous System
• Rage to suicide and dissociation to shame

Dealing with the Extreme Reactions of Trauma

• Talk directly to the symptom-direct access
• Introducing the part to the “Self”
• Deal with the overwhelm – no need for building resources
• Therapist parts – How to stay clear and calm while working with clients in extreme states

How Neuroscience Informs Therapeutic Decisions

• Top-down and bottom-up strategies rooted in neuroscience
• When it’s necessary to take over and “be the auxiliary brain” for your client
• Sensing vs. making sense of things
• At home strategies

Step 4: Healing of Traumatic Wounds:

• Three phases to healing:
  • Witness the pain
  • Remove the wounded part out of the past
  • Let go of the feelings, thoughts and beliefs
• Science behind the healing – memory reconsolidation

Integrate IFS into Your Treatment Approach

• EMDR, DBT, Sensorimotor/SE and other methods
• Transformation vs adaptation or rehabilitation
• Going beyond the cognitive (experiential therapies)
• Integrate IFS with your current clinical approach

Live demonstrations
Meditations
Practice sessions