IFS Talks

Ruth Culver is an Internal Family Systems Therapist based in Brighton, UK. Ruth says it felt like ‘coming home’ when she came across IFS a few years ago, and the model is now at the core of all her work.  She loves facilitating groups and has adapted two somatic processes - Constellations, and Intuitive Drawing - to fully incorporate all the steps of IFS.  Her infographic called ‘The Survive/Thrive Spiral’ - which maps Polyvagal Theory alongside Internal Family Systems - went viral earlier this year.  She presented her work at the 2019 London Trauma Conference and the 2020 Online Embodiment Conference, and is currently writing a paper for a new Complex Trauma Journal. In this episode Ruth help us to understand the Survival/Thrive Spiral, based on the PDF chart she is happy to share at her website http://calmheart.co.ukPodcast Feedback and Interview Request welcome at https://internalfamilysystems.pt/ifs-talks

Susan is a Lead Trainer for IFS Institute since the early days, and helped Richard Schwartz to develop the model all along the way. Susan just published a book on Somatic Internal Family Systems Therapy: Awareness, Breath, Resonance, Movement and Touch in Practice -  North Atlantic Books. In this episode we welcome back Susan and check in with her on this pandemic tough days. Then we dive in Susan's new book: writing process, main ideas and practices. For more on this Podcast,  and to get episodes transcriptions, please visit our website: https://internalfamilysystems.pt/ifs-talks

After a career in social work management, Liz became interested in alternative approaches to leadership and organisational change, working as an independent consultant and facilitator for public services. She particularly engaged with participatory approaches based on ideas around systems theory, including Open Space Technology.In 2008, Liz trained in psychosynthesis, a model that has many similarities with IFS, not least the idea of sub-personalities and a core self, within a spiritual context. She qualified as a therapist and set up in private practice, with an emphasis on working with trauma. She trained in other (Therapeutic )  modalities including EMDR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, but since discovering IFS a few years later this has been her map for understanding and navigating the world, inside and out.Liz is an experienced IFS therapist and has been a PA many times. Her travels with IFS over the last few years have taken her to cities Madrid, Copenhagen, South Korea and Bali, as well as to the IFS conference in Denver. Currently she is working as ‘lead PA’ on online L1 and L2 trainings internationally.Alongside her therapy practice, Liz continues to work from time to time as an Open Space facilitator. With colleagues, in 2018 she organised the first Open Space weekend for the IFS community in the UK. This has now become an annual event and next year’s will be the fourth.In between all this, she continues - and enjoys - her private practice as an IFS therapist and supervisor, based at her home in Bath in the UK.Podcast Feedback and Interview Request welcome at https://internalfamilysystems.pt/ifs-talks

Cece Sykes, a senior internal family systems trainer, discusses the impact of the pandemic on therapists and clients, challenges of adapting family traditions and online trainings, exploring personal and professional reflections on family trauma, therapists' growth through shared experiences, responsibility, self-care, and healing, therapist connection and transitioning in practice, and the importance of therapists' self-care and development.

Jeanne Catanzaro, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist with 25 years’ experience in treating eating and trauma related issues. She has written articles about IFS and eating disorders, and is dedicated to helping people develop Self-led relationships with food and their bodies. Jeanne is a certified IFS therapist in private practice in Brookline, Massachusetts, and is Vice Chair of the executive committee for the IFS Institute.Podcast Feedback and Interview Request welcome at https://internalfamilysystems.pt/ifs-talks

In this episode we are welcoming back Mary Kruger, an AAMFT supervisor and an IFS Lead Trainer. Mary is the founder of Rimmon Pond Counseling, an IFS-based private practice located in New Haven, Connecticut; specializing in addictions, eating disorders, and trauma for over 25 years. Mary incorporates IFS with her own penchant for the experience, and has developed a variety of creative ways to work with parts and access Self-energy in individual, relational, and group contexts.  She enjoys sharing her experience in teaching and consulting on a national level. Mary is noted for her humor, creativity, passion, and love of dancing and people. She also offers private therapy, consultations and workshops.Podcast Feedback and Interview Request welcome at https://internalfamilysystems.pt/ifs-talks

Deb Dana is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, specialized in treating complex traumatic stress and lectures internationally on the ways Polyvagal Theory informs clinical interactions with trauma survivors.  She is the consulting to the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium in the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University and the developer of the Rhythm of Regulation clinical training series. Deb is trained in Internal Family Systems and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy,  and completed the Certificate Program in Traumatic Stress Studies at the Trauma Center.  Deb is the author of The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy (Norton, 2018), Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection (from Norton) and co-editor with Stephen Porges, of Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory (Norton, 2018). Podcast Feedback and Interview Request welcome at https://internalfamilysystems.pt/ifs-talks

In this episode Einat Bronstein, a Lead Trainer for IFS-I,  and co-founder and co-director of the Israeli Institute of IFS,  shares her journey with IFS since the early nineties. With a Law degree at Tel Aviv University, Israel, and Masters in Clinical Social Work at Washington University in St Louis, MO, USA, Einat studied with Dick Schwartz and practiced IFS from its early years in Chicago. She graduated from Level 1, 2 and 3 IFS trainings; an International Lead Trainer, an IFS supervisor and a Certified IFS Therapist with over 25 years of clinical experience in private practice. Einat taught Couples Therapy for 8 years in Tel Aviv university, she is married, and has 4 kids. The role of the Therapeutic Relationship in IFS end out being a topic in this conversation.Podcast Feedback and Interview Request welcome at https://internalfamilysystems.pt/ifs-talks

In this engaging discussion, Kate Lingren, a Certified IFS therapist and educator at Boston College, dives deep into the dynamics of couples therapy through the lens of the Intimacy from the Inside Out model. She explores how self-awareness and emotional regulation can transform relationship communication. Topics like navigating unspoken expectations, addressing intimacy issues, and understanding the evolution of relationship chemistry take center stage. Kate also highlights the impact of shame and projection, encouraging healthier interactions and empathy between partners.

Mike Elkin is an IFS senior Lead trainer who has been involved with the model since 1995. He has been a popular presenter, conducting scores of trainings and workshops throughout the US and Europe and has taught level one trainings in Boston every year since 2003. He was a pioneer in applying hypnotic and strategic approaches to addiction treatment and has integrated those tools into IFS treatment. He is the author of, “Families Under the Influence” and several articles.Michael has a private practice in marriage, family, and individual psychotherapy, and he is very focused on training therapists in the Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy model, which Michael believe is the most flexible, powerful, and humane tool for healing available. It enables people to use their spiritual resources without getting into religeon or metaphysics.Podcast Feedback and Interview Request welcome at https://internalfamilysystems.pt/ifs-talks