IFS Training and Skills Workshops

Eight-week course

Beginners 1: Fundamentals of the IFS approach:

**(Booking is now open for the next course starting on January 30, 2026.)**

THERE is currently huge interest in Internal Family Systems therapy and great demand around the world for training. In order to try and increase the number of therapists in Ireland able to use this transformational model, I offer my own introductory training for psychotherapists and other mental health professionals.

I run online Internal Family Systems therapy training groups for beginner IFS therapists, with each course taking place over eight weeks (there are two gap weeks during the training), meeting weekly for two-and-a-half hours. The cost is €480.

Participants usually number not more than six to eight, in order to facilitate an informal and interactive experience and maximise the learning. Each training session is recorded (and available for two weeks afterwards); however, this is not a course that can be taken by recording: attendance is necessary in order to receive the recordings and CPD certificate, and would-be participants are asked not to sign up unless they can reasonably commit to attending each session.

Training sessions typically include teaching on the main aspects of the model, lots of q & a, fascinating case examples and recorded demos; but each session is flexible according to participant needs.

Participants also get the chance to practise using the protocol, and there are opportunities to get to know some of your own parts.

YOU WILL LEARN:
– about the internal family system of exiles, managers and firefighters, and Self.
– the 8Cs of Self and the 5Ps of the therapist Self;
– how to use the protector protocol (the 6Fs), and the unburdening protocol;
– how and when to use Explicit Direct Access and Implicit Direct Access;
– how to uncover polarisations and de-escalate them.
– .. and lots more!

I also provide a manual and other resources prior to the start of training so that participants can begin to familiarise themselves with this transformational approach.
The course will equip you to begin using the IFS model with your clients.

New courses run at regular intervals throughout the year.

**JANUARY TRAINING FULL DATES:**
January 30 and February 6. (February 13 is a gap week).
February 20 and February 27. (March 6 is a gap week).
March 13, 20 and 27 (April 3 is a gap week).
Final session: April 10.
Each training session takes place on a FRIDAY, from 4.30pm to 7pm.
CPD certificates are issued at the end of the course for 20 hours.

ELIGIBILITY: Participants should be mental health professionals with an active client list.

TO BOOK: email Gayle at [email protected]

What previous participants say:

“Thank you again for this incredible course. It’s like nothing I have ever experienced before and I have gained so much from it.” – Cara, psychotherapist – January 2025 course.

“It’s difficult to put into words how much I enjoyed your course.. it changed my career path. Gayle’s approach is comprehensive and engaging, and the small group setting provided the ideal environment to learn IFS. I cannot recommend her course highly enough!” – Sophie, psychotherapist.

“Gayle’s passion, knowledge and expertise in delivering the Internal Family Systems training was delivered in a very safe, collaborative and inclusive way. Using a combination of theory, case studies and practice of the model helped to bring the learning together in a very comprehensive, interactive and practical way.” – Pauline, psychotherapist

“The course was everything I hoped it would be, and has transformed my practice with a couple of clients already. Highlights were being given the vocabulary, case studies and protocols. I am amazed at the effectiveness of the model.” – Michelle, psychotherapist

“It was truly enlightening; the course was broken up simply and clearly over the weeks and also included live (demos). Gayle kept us engaged with her wealth of knowledge while encouraging us to ask questions/comment as and when; and it was fantastic to hear how Gayle has (used) the IFS approach in sessions. The sharing of polarisations and direct access and therapist challenges was also extremely useful.” – Beth, school counsellor

“I loved this course. I found Gayle’s gentle, easy style very engaging. I thought the small group was great..very good value for money in terms of the small group and the generous sharing of knowledge and resources.” – Cathy, psychotherapist

“I learnt so much..I have a better understanding of the model and how to apply the protocol. Wonderful video examples were packed with running commentary.” – Paula psychotherapist (Beginners 2)

************

New skills workshop, recording available

I HELD a one-day, online workshop in September along with guest presenter Emma Redfern, my Purely IFS podcast co-host, right, that is now available to purchase.

Previous workshops have focused on exiles and parts detecting, and this time the focus was on refining therapist skills in talking to parts and in helping clients talk to their parts – becoming more confident in using both forms of direct access in particular; as well as working with legacy burdens.
You’ll gain lots of useful negotiating ideas and language from this workshop; and you’ll also see a recorded client demo that I explain in detail.

We also did several scripted roleplays – these are something I often do in the monthly skills group I run, where I create a script generated from sessions with my regular clients; and I get someone to act as therapist, and someone else to act as client and to read the script. I do this primarily to help get therapists used to using more of the language of IFS, particularly when we are speaking directly to parts ourselves. And because there’s no figuring out of what to do in terms of the protocol, it also gives participants a chance to pay attention to how they speak to parts.

We did a fascinating variety of these roleplays – including examples of working with legacy burdens and polarisations – to expose you to as many different parts and scenarios as possible.

Guest presenter Emma Redfern, author of Transitioning to IFS, also did a valuable segment on how we can recognise and respond to our own parts in the moment in sessions; as well as how to spot legacy burdens and when to offer legacy unburdening.

**PLEASE NOTE:**
– This workshop is more advanced in nature, and assumes participants are already actively using the IFS protocols with clients. To get the most out of this workshop, viewers should have completed a beginners/foundational IFS training.
– The workshop is only available to purchase by mental health professionals.

COST: The workshop recording is €130 for unlimited access, and participants will receive a CPD cert for 6 hours.

TO Purchase: please email Gayle at [email protected].

***************************************************

• WordPress
• Link
• Mail

IFS supervision groups and IFS skills practice group:

I RUN two supervision groups each month, which meet via Zoom on a Thursday evening between 5.45pm and 7.15pm. The groups are open to mental health professionals who are transitioning to IFS and wish to continue to develop their IFS skills. Participants must have done my Beginners 1 training or an equivalent comprehensive foundation training in IFS.

The fee is €35. Please email Gayle for further info at [email protected].

Regular attendance is encouraged; however, there is no obligation to attend every meeting.

SKILLS PRACTICE: I also run a monthly IFS skills practice group – first Thursday of each month, 5.45pm to 6.45pm; fee €35. It’s open to members of the supervision group; and is a valuable opportunity to gain supervised practice in the fundamental IFS skills, including parts detecting, facilitating insight; and using explicit direct access.