In Person

Introduction to Internal Family Systems: An Experiential Approach

Melanie Page Patterson, Ed.S., LPC-MHSP
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Information

Date & Time

Location

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Define the core components of Internal Family Systems (IFS), including the roles of Exiles, Managers, Firefighters, and Self-Energy.

  • Identify and engage with at least one of their own internal Parts through a guided experiential exercise.

  • Describe how IFS principles can be applied in clinical practice to help clients recognize and interact with their Parts.

  • Demonstrate a basic IFS intervention, such as helping a client unblend from a part or access self-energy during a therapy session.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this presentation is for psychotherapists to strengthen their clinical skills by developing a foundational understanding of IFS and expanding their therapeutic toolkits with IFS interventions.

Description

This experiential class introduces licensed psychotherapists to Internal Family Systems (IFS), a therapeutic model that helps clients engage with their inner Parts and cultivate Self-leadership. Participants will learn core IFS concepts, including Exiles, Managers, Firefighters, and Self-Energy, and experience a guided exercise to explore their own Parts. The session will provide practical applications for integrating IFS into therapy, along with ethical considerations for clinical practice.

Target Audience

  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker
  • Substance Use Disorder Professionals

Presenters

Melanie Page Patterson, Ed.S., LPC-MHSP
Melanie Page Patterson, Ed.S., LPC-MHSP, is a licensed professional counselor and the owner of Beech Tree Wellness, LLC, where she specializes in trauma-informed and experiential therapies for adult clients. She integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS) (Levels 1-3), Somatic Experiential Therapy (SomEx), Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Person-Centered Therapy, and Nature Therapy to foster deep healing and self-awareness. Through a combination of telehealth, in-person, and outdoor-based sessions, Melanie helps clients connect with their inner world and the natural environment to support emotional regulation and resilience. Passionate about experiential learning, she enjoys educating fellow clinicians on IFS principles and nature-based therapeutic approaches to enhance clinical effectiveness.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Cumberland Heights Foundation