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Digital Seminar

Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy for Trauma

A 3-Day Experiential Training Retreat with Stacy Ruse, LPC, E-RYT-500

Speaker:
Stacy Ruse, LPC, E-RYT-500
Duration:
Approx. 15 Hours
Copyright:
May 13, 2026
Product Code:
POS150589
Media Type:
Digital Seminar - Also available: In-Person Seminar | Live Webcast

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Description

This immersive retreat-style training offers a heart-centered approach for clinicians to learn and embody Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapies, empowering techniques within a safe, supportive, and experiential environment.

Through a blend of teaching, demo, guided practices, and experiential exercises, you will explore the flow of the IFS model, including Self-energy, working with the protective system, polarizations, and the unburdening process. Teachings are rooted in evidence-based, trauma-informed foundations, while also honoring the integrative spirit of IFS, incorporating neuroscience, somatic awareness, spirituality, inclusivity, and energy-based practices.

Whether this is your first introduction to IFS or a meaningful refresher, you will gain tools and insights that you can immediately integrate into your practice. This retreat is designed to be both educational and restorative, supporting your professional development while also deepening your personal connection to Self.

IFS therapy is proven effective in enhancing emotional regulation, improving well-being, and healing trauma. It also shows strong promise for addressing anxiety, depression, phobias, panic, eating disorders, addictions, chronic pain, and more.

Credit


* Credit Note - Self-Study CE Information Coming Soon

Continuing education credit information is coming soon for this non-interactive self-study package.

CE hours may be available for select professions, as listed in the target audience. Hours will be dependent on the actual recording time. Please check with your state licensing board or organization for specific requirements. 

There may be an additional fee for CE certificates. Please contact our Customer Service at 1-800-844-8260 for more details. 

**Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of your profession. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your professions standards.



Speaker

Stacy Ruse, LPC, E-RYT-500's Profile

Stacy Ruse, LPC, E-RYT-500 Related seminars and products


Stacy Ruse, LPC, E-RYT-500 is an Evergreen EMDR consultant and clinician, IFS therapist, and founder of Aglow Counseling. She’s a trauma expert who specializes in using IFS Therapy, EMDR, and Somatic therapies to unravel the intricate threads of trauma and guide clients towards empowerment and resilience. Her approach, while deeply rooted in trauma-informed methodologies, is characterized by a transpersonal twist that transcends the boundaries of traditional therapy. Stacy is certified in EMDR as well as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and Certified Yoga Instructor.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Stacy Ruse is the owner of Aglow Counseling and has an employment relationship with Mindfully. She receives compensation as a consultant and trainer. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from Psychotherapy Networker and PESI, Inc. Stacy Ruse is a paid consultant for Evergreen Certifications. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Stacy Ruse is a member of EMDRIA, the Colorado Association of Psychotherapists, and the Longmont Area Psychotherapy Network.


Additional Info

Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product.


Questions?

Visit our FAQ page at www.pesi.com/faq or contact us at www.pesi.com/info


Objectives

  1. Explain and understand the integration of IFS, Polyvagal theory, and developmental neuroscience in the treatment of trauma and dissociation.
  2. Identify and apply core IFS techniques, including mapping, the 6 F's of unblending, and Self-to-part communication.
  3. Demonstrate strategies for cultivating therapist Self-energy and managing therapist parts to foster safety and resilience.
  4. Describe the foundational goals, assumptions, and credo of IFS as a non-pathologizing, integrative framework for trauma healing.
  5. Analyze the roles and burdens of managers, firefighters, and exiles within the internal system, and recognize clinical signs of burdened and blended states.
  6. Differentiate between implicit and explicit trauma memory and apply neuroscience-informed strategies to support clients in staying regulated during parts work.
  7. Understand how to apply Polyvagal Theory to support the nervous system during parts work.
  8. Employ experiential practices such as heart coherence, guided imagery, and Self-to-part dialogues to deepen therapeutic presence and client access to Self-energy.
  9. Utilize IFS-informed approaches for addressing attachment wounds, preverbal trauma, and shame cycles.
  10. Explain the unburdening process within IFS and demonstrate gentle, trauma-informed preparation for unburdening work.
  11. Apply IFS strategies for working with polarizations and extreme parts.
  12. Demonstrate methods for managing therapist countertransference through unblending and Self-leadership.
  13. Evaluate the role of spirituality, legacy burdens, and ancestral resilience within IFS therapy.
  14. Identify adaptations of IFS for complex trauma and dissociative presentations.
  15. Discuss ethical considerations, limitations, and risks when applying IFS therapy.

Outline

Day 1: Welcome circle & intention-setting practice 

  • Arrival practice and orientation
  • Guided meditation: Self as Sacred Center
  • Establishing safety, consent, and pacing

Overview of IFS & Trauma Integration: a heart-centered framework

  • Goals, assumptions, IFS credo
  • Self as the container and cornerstone to healing
  • Heart coherence as a gateway to Self
    • Experiential:
      • Heart Coherence Breath Practice
      • Guided “Meet a Part” exercise

IFS, Trauma, and the Nervous System

  • Trauma, nervous system, and parts
  • Polyvagal-informed IFS
  • Developmental neuroscience of trauma & dissociation
  • Understanding dissociation through an IFS lens
  • Mapping protectors and exiles in trauma treatment
    • Parts and the burdened system: Protective parts (Managers, Firefighters) and exiled parts
  • Experiential
    • Mapping exercise practice
    • Q & A + integration pause

Day 2 – Skills & Relational Healing

Unblending with the 6 F’s

  • Live Demo
  • Step by step unblending process
  • Speaking for vs from parts
  • IFS Communication Methods
    • Experiential
      • Paired practice in Self-to-part dialogue
      • Group processing & troubleshooting

Attachment & Relational Trauma

  • Preverbal trauma, attachment styles, shame cycles
  • Internal attachment repair using IFS
    • Experiential
      • Self-compassion & attachment repair meditation
      • Small group practice & reflection

Day 3– Integration, Complexity & Closure

Spirituality, Legacy Burdens, & Unburdening

  • Collective and legacy burdens
  • Ancestral resilience
  • Step by step unburdening process
  • Self as the ultimate corrective experience
    • Experiential:
      • Inviting guides, or sacred resources
      • Connecting with a vulnerable part
      • Integration discussion

Complex Systems, Extreme Parts, & Ethics

  • Polarizations and inner conflict
    • Staying Self-led with extreme parts
  • Adaptations for complex trauma & dissociation
  • Ethics, evidence, limitations, and risks
  • Collective Blessing & closure

Evidence, Research Limitations, and Treatment Risks

  • Examining the current research
  • Challenges to the research and research limitations
  • Addressing potential risks
  • Contraindications and other considerations

Target Audience

  • Counselors
  • Social workers
  • Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Addiction Counselors
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Physicians

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