IN THIS ISSUE:
From the Board
From the Editor
Inward & Outward
     Research News
     In Psychotherapy
     Community Connections
     Stories of Transformation
Operational Update
About OUTLOOK
About IFS
About the Foundation

From the Board

Welcome to a new edition of OUTLOOK and to Spring.

We are pleased to share with you that the Foundation for Self Leadership continues to work creatively and with great dedication toward advancing research to enhance our understanding and use of the IFS model, expanding its application in different settings, and increasing support for IFS trainings to serve marginalized communities.

OUTLOOK is one of our vehicles for sharing with our community developments in these areas and for broadly promoting IFS. We refer to it as our community bulletin; we are delighted to bring you this current issue.

We place high priority on deepening the presence of IFS within the realm of psychotherapy and promoting innovations and applications in clinical settings. The recent acknowledgment by SAMHSA that IFS is now evidence-based, which the Shadick/Sowell research paper and Foundation made possible, has generated a lot of excitement and enthusiasm. Like you, we see a vast potential here and look forward to building on this foundation.

Our first funded independent research study is producing encouraging results. We are embarking, with your help, on funding a second one. We are happy to announce that we are assembling a group of IFS certified therapists to serve as raters for research studies that would allow researchers to examine the fidelity of the model using the adherence scale whose development the Foundation has previously sponsored.

We continue to develop a global advocacy campaign about self-awareness and emotional connection with Education 4 Peace and continue our conversations with Pixar around the use of the characters from the Oscar-winning Inside Out film. We will share more with you about this exciting initiative in due time.

As you will learn in this edition of OUTLOOK, we have restructured the Board and tapped volunteers as Senior Coordinators in an effort to enhance the Foundation’s operational and programmatic effectiveness. We invite members of the community to stay involved.

You will be pleased to know that 2015 was a very successful year in many ways. Your generosity of time, ideas, and financial support allowed us to move forward on a number of fronts. Thank you for your friendship. We share with you a brief fundraising report in this issue. As always, we appreciate those who are able to help support Foundation activities, whether as volunteers, advocates, or through financial giving. Thank you all for your interest in, and engagement with, the Foundation for Self Leadership! With your help, we will continue to build IFS opportunities in the world.  

On behalf of the Foundation for Self Leadership’s Board,

Harley Goldberg, D.O.
Chair, Board of Directors

Return to Menu ↑

From the Editor

With this edition of OUTLOOK, we bring to you the inside developments within the Foundation, such as the restructuring of the Board and introduction of our two Senior Coordinators; as well as hear from voices within our larger community about the impact IFS has had upon them both personally and professionally. From recent Level One graduates and IFS innovations to IFS email and social media groups and a personal healing account, we aspire to broaden your vantage and foster connections. We extend an invitation to you, a member of our community, to engage with Foundation activities in whatever capacity suitable.

One of the Foundation’s key strategic priorities is to advance rigorous IFS research through funding and stewardship.

Owing to your support, our first funded project, a pilot study on the effects of IFS on complex trauma, conducted by the Trauma Center and a group of IFS certified therapists, will be completed around July 2016. Preliminary results, shared by PI Hilary Hogdgon, PhD, at the 2015 IFS Conference are very promising. Please stay tuned for the final research outcomes, which will be formally shared after they appear in peer-reviewed publications.

Since then, the Foundation has reviewed two proposals through an independent review council and will announce to the community projects approved for funding in a timely manner. Funding will be sought from various sources in support of these projects.

Request for Research Proposals

The Foundation’s Board invites additional IFS research proposals for funding from the IFS community as well as nominations of researchers outside this community who may be interested in conducting research on the effects of IFS in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and general addiction.

Review criteria include intellectual merit, research readiness, breadth of impact, and likelihood of success and impact.

Detailed instructions for preparing and submitting research applications, along with criteria for funding, are available online on our Research Review Guidelines.

• Improving General Functioning & Well-being (effective)
• Reducing Phobia, Panic, & Generalized Anxiety Disorders & Symptoms (promising)
• Improving Physical Health Conditions & Symptoms (promising)
• Improving Personal Resilience/Self-Concept (promising)
• Reducing Depression & Depressive Symptoms (promising)

* Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices – NREPP.SAMHSA.gov

Return to Menu ↑

IFS INNOVATIONS...

Increasing numbers of practitioners and therapists are creating innovative ways of introducing and utilizing IFS with others, broadening the reach of IFS within and beyond psychotherapy. Creative and clear innovations, such as these, make IFS more accessible and easy to grasp for all populations. We showcase two examples here: Jay Earley, PhD, and Bruce Hersey, LCSW.

Self-Therapy Journey (STJ) is a web application based on IFS that allows users to work on psychological issues via the Internet.

Through this application, individuals identify a pattern they would like to change. They are guided through a learning process to their part that has the pattern and then given guided meditations designed to take them through segments of an IFS session. In addition, they can set up a personal practice to help them change their behavior.

STJ is the brainchild and life purpose of Jay Earley, PhD. It brings together the two professional sides of him that had been separate up till now—the computer scientist and the psychologist. “It is very exciting to integrate these two disparate sides of me in this amazing project,” says Jay.

When he began creation of STJ in November 2010, he had no idea how complex and difficult a project it would be. “I can see why no one else has done something like this. It has been quite a stretch,” he says of the development process. Testing STJ with volunteers for two years before launching it in January of 2014 was very satisfying for him because he was able to observe the deep healing and transformation that people were actually able to achieve. Feedback from over 100 volunteers and his staff were reflected in the final product.

Jay discovered IFS in 2002, saying, “It is such a powerful and effective tool that it has transformed everything I do as a therapist.” Since then he has not only been using it with his clients, he has been teaching and writing books about IFS. He is excited that even more people will be introduced to IFS through Self-Therapy Journey.

Those who are curious to learn about the IFS model and are active YouTube surfers can find two animation videos that introduce IFS.

The Finding Your Parts animation conveys an experiential feel of the IFS process while at the same time develops the concepts of the model. Published in February of 2015, it has been seen by over 5,600 viewers and has a runtime of less than ten minutes. Following quick on its heals, is a shorter video entitled What IF? What is IFS? This video, released in March 2015, focuses on generating hope and creating interest in IFS and parts. It has received 1,600 views and is under three minutes in length.

These animated videos evolved from a PowerPoint slideshow that Bruce Hersey, LCSW, developed after presenting introductory IFS workshops in central Pennsylvania for 8 years, alongside his presenting partner, Lois Ehrmann, PhD. The slideshow used stick figure graphics available commercially to depict key concepts of the model. These seemed to Bruce to represent universal icons for parts. The slideshow seems to be a success and many therapists participating in the workshops requested copies to use with their clients. Bruce then decided to develop this further into a video. Thus began the placement on YouTube.

Finding Your Parts “was a labor of love, and so much fun to make,” says Bruce, who took his Level One in 2007. Adapting to feedback, the music was edited on concern from various viewers. This edited version, entitled Finding Your Parts: foundationifs was released a month later. It has 1,100 views and was co-narrated by Bruce’s wife, Teresa Hersey.

“My love for IFS and what it has done for me professionally and personally has led me to want to help as many others as possible to experience its benefits. Finding Your Parts is a way to lead people to that experience,” says Bruce. He has plenty of ideas for future videos which he will produce as time allows, so stay tuned.

Meet a Few Recent Level One Graduates...

The ever-increasing numbers of IFS practitioners and therapists hasten the expansion of the IFS model across the globe. IFS trainees repeatedly report great appreciation for the model, both on personal and professional levels. Individual accounts of graduates bring a palpable energy to our ever-widening circle of community. Please welcome and meet two recent Level One graduates.

“I love the way it instills hope in an experiential way. Clients and therapists don’t have to try to convince themselves to hope, they get to feel it."  - Katie Andrews

Clare Brown, MA, LPC, LCAT, LFYP-1 of Elmira, New York has attended Dick Schwartz’s workshops at the annual Psychotherapy Networker Symposium for more than ten years. It was after introducing IFS to clients and witnessing the benefits they received that she signed up for her Level One in 2015. She has incorporated IFS in art therapy groups, group therapy, meditation groups, and LifeForce yoga groups in both her private practice and at Sol Stone Center, the partial hospitalization program that she directs. Her clinical staff responded positively to incorporating IFS into the PHP and in the coming year she anticipates offering IFS training for the administrative staff. “Personally, IFS has transformed my life, as I have experienced what it is to be in Self and the difference that has made in my relationships with friends, family, and with clients and staff,” says Clare, who enjoys witnessing clients reclaim their lives and exiled parts. She was recently accepted to the Trauma and Neuroscience Level Two and plans to complete Level Three as well.

Katie Andrews, M.Ed, NCC, LPC, of St. Louis, Missouri, found IFS through her own personal therapy beginning in 2011. A deep respect for, and trust of, the model grew through her personal sessions and informed her decision to become a counselor. After opening her practice in 2015, she enrolled in Level One and anticipates taking Level Two in 2017. Says Katie of IFS, “I love the way it instills hope in an experiential way. Clients and therapists don’t have to try to convince themselves to hope, they get to feel it.” It is her personal experience that brings appreciation for and trust of the model, which she feels greatly helps her practice. hope, they get to feel it.” Katie Andrews She finds the unburdening process poignant and beautiful, while a few of her parts feel like “it’s magic that works!” In addition, she notes she feels connected to and welcomed by the IFS community.

Return to Menu ↑

STAYING CONNECTED...

Over the years a number of email lists and social media outlets have formed expanding connections of many IFS therapists and practitioners across the globe. These online mediums provide a wellspring for sharing IFS related discus- sions, questions, networking, and referrals with others. To better connect with our growing IFS community consider joining one or more of these lists or groups.

IFS-Austin:

John Palmer, LCSW, created this listserv in 2012 with fifteen members, which has grown to approxi- mately forty. Being a smaller listserv, activity is low with content being related to general announce- ments. John envisions its expansion and encourages more discussions and referrals. He likes that the group gives everyone a way to stay connected and “up-to-date” on relevant IFS/CSL information. Those who either live in Texas and/or received their IFS training in Texas may request membership by contacting John at jpalmerlcsw@gmail.com.

IFS (Internal Family Systems) Community Page on Facebook:

Jenn Matheson, PhD, LMFT, is the creator and moderator of this Facebook page, which began in 2012 and has grown to about 1,200 members. Jenn estimates that about ten percent of the members are active posters with the group averaging three to five posts per week. It becomes very active around the IFS Annual Conference as a place to share topics with those who could not attend. This is an open and all-inclusive online group. Care is exercised remind- ing members that it is not an avenue for therapeutic advice or interventions. Jenn likes the opportunity to hear perspectives from people all over the world whether they are clients or practitioners of IFS. If interested in joining look for IFS (Internal Family Systems) Community Page on Facebook and send a request to join.

IFS Mid-Atlantic:

Keith Miller, LICSW, LCSW-C, created this group after his IFS Level One training in 2008 with a desire to enhance communication with other IFS practitioners. He envisions a CSL supported formation of local chapters of online IFS groups. In 2016, he turned moderatorship over to Hetty Irmer, LCSW-C, and Laura Taylor, JD. Hetty recently imported the list with approximately 200 members to Google Groups. Laura enjoys feeling a sense of contribution to supporting the foundations that allow for IFS to grow and thrive. Criteria for inclusion are in flux, however people who are IFS therapists or practitioners by their own definition (certification is not required) or interested in IFS may inquire to Hetty at hettyirmer@yahoo.com.

IFSNE:

Liz Zoob, MSW, LICSW, is the moderator of this list, which began as an online mailbox created by Paul Neustadt, MS, LICSW, and IFS Co-Lead Trainer, in 2008 as part of his vision for a New England IFS community, now known as IFS New England. Liz is joined by Patti Levin, LICSW, PsyD, and Cathy Liu, JD, MSW, who provide technical and administrative assistance. Beginning with a small group of members, this very active group has grown to roughly 610, with about 300-400 posts per month. “Our members love and rely on our list,” says Liz, who believes that the list fosters Self Leadership and supports a sense of community among its members. Those who are either based in and/or received their IFS training in the New England area and have completed at least three weekends of Level One may request to join by writing to ifsnewengland@gmail.com.

Internal Family Systems Network LinkedIn Group:

Bruce Hersey, LCSW, started this group in April of 2010 as a networking and discussion group and has been aided along the way with fellow moderators: Lois Ehrmann, PhD, Melissa Sandfort, IFSCP, Mark Hurwich, and Laura Taylor, JD. Welcoming all parts, they intend to invite open and free Self-led participation and discussion for like-minded individuals and promote the emergence of an online community of Self for any IFS practitioner (therapist, counselor, coach, etc.), including graduate students. “For the entire life of the Group, the virtual space has been Self-led,” reports Bruce of this very active group of 2,114 members. Those interested may either be invited by current members or, after creating a LinkedIn account, search under Groups for the Internal Family Systems Network and request membership.

IFSNY:

Peter Gambino, PhD, is the moderator of the IFSNY list, which was born in September of 2015 and currently has approximately 98 members. Its inception began after a staff meeting with Peter, Pam Krause, MSW, LCSW, and Steve Krantz, DSW, LCSW, who felt this to be a valuable community effort. Fostering a deep sense of community, the IFS motto “All parts are welcome,” was paramount in the criteria for inclusion, which is simply anyone who has had at least two weekends of Level One training, including folks from beyond the tri-state NY area. The group is fairly active with about four posts per week involving referral requests, networking notices, consultation opportunities, and workshop information. A few stimulating discussions have begun with hopes they increase as membership grows and evolves. Peter enjoys creating a place for IFSers in the metro NY area to come together for mutual benefit. If interested contact Peter at peterg4995@gmail.com.

IFS West Coast Email Group, Website, and Directory:

Grant Leitheiser, LMFT, created this email group in July of 2014, which now has over 100 members. Individuals who considers themselves “West Coast” and have completed Level One may join. Around 20 new conversations a month take place regarding new trainings, consult groups, referrals, and clinical discussions. A long-held dream of Grant’s has been to create a map of IFS practitioners, where they can add themselves to a growing directory for referrals and to locate consultation groups. “This will help unite the west coast and bring more awareness to IFS to ultimately better support our clients,” says Grant. The website, map, and directory were recently released in March. To join the email group and/or directory please visit IFS on the West Coast.

Notable mentions:

IFS Seattle and IFS Antiracism are in the process of establishment.

Return to Menu ↑

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Paths to healing made possible through IFS are diverse; and so too are the stories of those have taken such journeys. This section makes room for short stories of self-awareness, shared by individuals in their own words, giving personal account of personal transformation, which seems to happen in a moment after a long struggle and last a lifetime.

Often, getting to know one’s Self and Parts sets in motion life-changing thoughts, feelings, and actions that we never thought possible. Day in and day out, IFS practitioners and therapists like you facilitate emotional connections, healing, and wellbeing in your communities. We celebrate your collective work and its growing impact.

- CEO, Media/Communications Firm & Oscar-Winning Producer/Screenwriter, Hollywood, CA

As a true ‘California Girl,’ and a native born Angelino, I started driving at 15 years of age. I passed the drivers license test on my first try and got in my first accident –a minor fender bender, three days later. Over time, I got into several more minor accidents. Yet, I was a confident driver and fan of moving quickly down the Southern California highways and freeways.

Then, around the time I became pregnant at 35 with my first child, I lost my freedom. It was a gradual erosion of ease. First, I had a very hard time driving in the left lane on the freeway and if there were a concrete wall on the left side instead of a fence, I would literally break out in a sweat. Then I started having a hard time breathing and calming my heart when I drove in any lane on the freeway. The year my daughter was born, I had to be finally rescued by my father from an island in the middle of an inter- section of multiple freeways. Sadly, and to my great embarrassment, I swore off freeway driving. The problem didn’t stop with freeway driving and ultimately I couldn’t drive in the left lane without panicking.

This year marked my twentieth year of being unable to drive on the freeway. In these years, I’ve won three Oscars and numerous other professional awards, written and produced countless feature films and TV movies, and successfully run both entertainment and other media companies. With all my life’s successes, I still could not achieve success in conquering four to six lanes of blacktop.

As a take-charge film producer, I began to search for a cure to this debilitating handicap I had acquired out of nowhere. I went to several psychiatrists, psychologists, and hypnotherapists. None of these practitioners were able to effect much of a change and yes, I tried an assortment of psychopharmacological aids.

When Mark Hurwich, who is a business friend, reached out to me to see if I was interested in a new type of coaching, I eagerly jumped at the offer. To be honest, his description of how it worked sounded like a bunch of new age BS to me, but I was willing to do anything to get back on the freeway.

In one of our conversations, Mark invited me to close my eyes and try to find the part of me that didn’t want me to drive on the freeway. To my surprise, I did with complete ease. A cute little twelve-year-old girl, her hair in pigtails, freckles on her nose, who was as sassy as all get out and wasn’t going to let me drive on the freeway, said it wasn’t safe. It turns out this girl’s job is to keep me safe.

Once I knew this, I was able to build a partnership with her. We made a deal, her and me: if I would take it very gradually and not scare her too much, she’d let me try and start making that left turn on my drive home.

I spent about ten minutes a day slowly and with ‘respect’ for my twelve year old friend’s desire to keep me safe, making the left turn. Finally, after ten days, I drove on the freeway for the first time in twenty years. It was only in the entry lane, from one on ramp to another, but it felt like I had just won an Olympic event.

Some days I can move over; some days, I can’t. But every day, I think of myself holding her hand as I enter the freeway and of us working together to conquer this fear, turning us into a team with one goal, instead of two people warring inside of me.

Do I feel stupid talking to an imaginary twelve-year- old inside of myself? It actually feels right to be talking to her, and she feels as real to me now, as my arms and legs, and the lines on my face. “My work with IFS helped me to get back a sense of freedom that I long thought would remain elusive to me for the rest of my life.”

A full account of this story may be found here.

Return to Menu ↑