Welcome to another informative episode of the Mastering Counseling podcast! This week we’re talking about the Internal Family Systems Model (IFS), which is an integrative approach to individual psychotherapy. Joining Megan to explore this model is Jon Schwartz, who is acting executive director of The Center for Self Leadership or CSL. The Center for Self Leadership is “dedicated to the healing transformation of lives and cultures and serves as a critical link between therapeutic professionals and the wider community” through training and certification in IFS, and more. Jon also happens to be the brother of IFS founder Dr. Richard Schwartz!
Jon completed his undergraduate education at Macalester College with a BA in Psychology and his graduate training at the College of Idaho with an MA in Education, Psychology, and Public Administration. Throughout his career, he served as executive director for several different organizations in the mental health field before landing at the Center for Self Leadership in 2008. Listen in as Jon helps break down the IFS model for Megan and our Mastering Counseling listeners!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- What the history of the Internal Family Systems model and the Center for Self Leadership is.
- The basic tenets of the Internal Family Systems model.
- What the current research findings are regarding the efficacy of IFS in therapy.
- How to pursue training in the IFS model.
- And a great deal more!
Featured on the Show:
- Connect with Jon Schwartz: LinkedIn
- Connect with The Center for Self Leadership / Internal Family Systems: Facebook
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Counseling Spotlight: The Center for Self Leadership and Internal Family Systems
Founded by Dr. Richard Schwartz, who also developed the Internal Family Systems therapy model, CSL offers three levels of IFS training, national and international workshops for both professionals and the general public, an annual conference, publications, and video resources of Dr. Schwartz’s work online.
In their own words, “CSL is dedicated to the healing transformation of lives and cultures and serves as a critical link between therapeutic professionals and the wider community. CSL provides a variety of learning opportunities for mental health and human services practitioners, medical and bodywork professionals, students of the healing arts and sciences, and anyone who seeks a profound personal growth experience”
Internal Family Systems
The Internal Family Systems Model (IFS) is an integrative approach to individual psychotherapy developed by Richard C. Schwartz. The “IFS model of psychotherapy offers a clear, non-pathologizing, and empowering method of understanding human problems, as well as an innovative and enriching philosophy of practice that invites both therapist and client to enter into a transformational relationship in which healing can occur.”
Put another way, “it combines systems thinking with the view that mind is made up of relatively discrete subpersonalities each with its own viewpoint and qualities. IFS uses family systems theory to understand how these collections of subpersonalities are organized.”
Best of the Counseling and Mental Health Web: Mental Health First Aid USA
Each episode we award a site or organization as the “Best of the Counseling and Mental Health Web”… as selected by Mastering Counseling Podcast listeners! Whether you’re a current mental health professional, or a student studying to become one, there are so many great resources out there discussing counseling and mental health. Some of these resources could even help your clients and be worth recommending to them.
As a reminder, if you ever have a suggestion for a resource or organization we should recommend, drop us a line via email, Facebook, or Twitter!
This week we’re happy to recognize Mental Health First Aid USA for their fantastic online resources and more specifically their blog.
Mental Health First Aid USA is managed, operated, and disseminated by the National Council for Behavioral Health, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health
It’s an 8-hour course that teaches individuals how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives the skills you needed to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.
Their resources include a database to search through courses by location, or even by instructor name. They also have a sign up for new instructors. Beyond that they have a plethora of information on the research behind it, and even mental health in the workplace.
Their blog offers advice on a variety of mental health topics… including depression, signs that a teen may need help, mental health at work and school, advice for dealing with anxiety, eating disorders, and so much more.
When it comes to providing a quality online mental health resource, even if you don’t end up wanting to take a course, Mental Health First Aid USA has so much to offer, and that’s why their our Best in Counseling and Mental Health Web Award winner.
Congratulations to them on their selection!
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