IFS Talks Exploring Countertransference Through the Fire Drill Technique — with Joanne Twombly
Feb 1, 2026
Joanne Twombly, an experienced therapist and author specializing in trauma and dissociation-informed IFS. She unpacks the Fire Drill technique for noticing countertransference and organizing clinical attention. Short clinical demonstrations, steps for doing a Fire Drill, and how it helps trainees, consultation, and burnout prevention are highlighted.
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Avoidance Revealed By A Fire Drill
- Joanne describes prepping for a session while wanting to go home and cook, which signaled countertransference.
- After doing the fire drill she named the avoidance and opened a conversation that revealed the client's shame about sexual abuse.
Laser Focus On Therapist Parts
- The fire drill creates a laser focus on therapists' internal parts and nonverbal cues in sessions.
- That focused awareness can reveal therapist burdens and parts living in trauma time.
Consultation Uncovers Therapist's Own Burden
- A therapist in Joanne's consult group realized the case triggered her own issues with drinking and disability after a fire drill.
- The drill revealed her need to resume personal therapy, which changed the consultation.
