About this course

This didactic and experiential workshop will provide therapists with a basic understanding of the theory and practice of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Mindfulness. It includes mindfulness exercises, IFS exercises, video and discussion of IFS therapy sessions. The material is presented in a direct and focused manner by Chicago Center for Relationship Counseling's President, Josh Hetherington, LMFT, LCPC.

Learning Objectives

• Objective 1: Attendees will experience Mindfulness and learn useful exercises​​. Attendees will participate in discussion of Mindfulness practices and exercises​, an exercise will be performed​​. Attendees will ​receive a didactic presentation relaying mindfulness concepts, and theory.

• Objective 2: Attendees will learn basic IFS concepts​ Discussion of IFS concepts such as parts, self, un-blending, and others​.​ Attendees will view video examples that illustrate concepts​.​ Attendees will ​receive a didactic presentation based on IFS writings relaying concepts and theory​.

• Objective 3: Attendees will learn how Mindfulness practice can expand and enhance IFS experiences​: discussion of the utility of mindfulness for creating internal space and encountering parts​. Attendees will be offered related exercise​s​. Attendees will be provided an opportunity to participate in a didactic and interactive discussion to explore the concepts of IFS and Mindfulness​.

Learning Levels

Beginner, no prior Mindfulness or Internal Family Systems (IFS) training required.

Target Audience

Psychotherapists

Course Instructors

Josh Hetherington, LMFT, LCPC Family Therapist, President of Chicago Center for Relationship Counseling, P.C., and Board President, Phoenix Clinic NFP.

I'm trained as a Marriage and Family Therapist. I became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, in 2000. I've dedicated my professional life to working with individuals, couples and families on understanding what keeps them stuck and then removing the barriers. This process is collaborative and requires a give and take. I take steps to get feedback from the people I work with to help me understand what is helping, and what is not. I am also dedicated to building the community of helping professionals. I supervise students and professionals and am always excited to meet with other therapists and students to hear about their work and to share my experiences. This community is essential to the longevity of our work.

During my training at the Family Institute at Northwestern (TFI), I started parts therapy for myself. It was an amazing and transformative experience! I was able to connect with parts of myself that often felt out of control as a young adult. Not only connect with them but love them and transform them.​

After graduating from TFI in 1998, I started the Certified training in IFS with Dick Schwartz. This training took place over two years in person and culminated with a certification. I continued to practice IFS as a clinical staff member at The Family Institute from 2001 until 2011. I presented on IFS techniques and ideas during my time there and developed a workshop for couples that relied on IFS ideas. ​

In 2011 I left TFI and I started to work with my favorite IFS supervisor, Susan McConnel. Susan and her partner Beth O’Neil asked me to be a trainer with them at a training at the Chicago VA in 2014. Susan remained my supervisor for 3 years. ​IFS has always felt natural to me. It’s provided a way for me to understand the mind and help people look at themselves in a handy and profound way. I am excited to share these concepts with you as you work to explore your beliefs about the mind and how to help our clients make deep changes. ​

This workshop will pull from some of Dick Schwartz recent and older books. The objective is to introduce you to the concepts and prepare you for the next workshop, which will be didactic and include case consultation.

Learn more about Josh

Disclosure

DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS

CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity ― including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity’s planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

PLANNERS AND REVIEWER

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

FACULTY

The faculty of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

CE SPONSORSHIP DISCLOSURE

Chicago Center for Relationship Counseling's Continuing Education (CE) Sponsorship is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), credits are applicable to LMFT (Sponsor License # 168.000227) and LCPC (Sponsor License # 197.000295) in Illinois. If you have a different licensure or are licensed outside of Illinois please check with your licensure body before attending our workshops.

References

• Schwartz, Richard C., (2023), Introduction to Internal Family Systems, Second Edition.

• Schwartz, Richard C., (1995). Internal Family Systems Therapy.