"The most amazing thing of all was that, once in that Self state, clients seemed to know just what to do or say to help each inner personality."

"losing her will mean that I'm just like my father, driving people away and cutting off forever until there's no one left except family and then they will die and I will be completely entirely alone"

"This story was written to introduce the dynamics of wounded attachment to children and their families."

The first of a series of teaching videos for therapists using the IFS model. This video explores how decisions are made in a Self-led system. The difference between empathy and discussion is discussed, especially with regard to vicarious traumatization. Therapy as service is discussed from the viewpoint of Self as a "Axis of Compassion"; i.e. when compassion can flow internally and facilitate harmony it becomes more readily available for those in the external world.

THis video describes how the system responds to loss

This PowerPoint informs the didactic part of a presentation at numerous IFS conferences. It reviews bereavement theories and how they inform an IFS understanding. Complicated loss and associated protectors are described as is the oscillation between grief and restoration which can be Self-led.

This video includes identifying and working with common therapist parts that may "hijack" in session. There is discussion about the importance of not allying with one half of a polarity as well as not ascribing a gender to a part. The IFS model is contrasted with other therapeutic modalities and the variety of system presentations is discussed. Addressing clients with mistrustful parts is addressed as well as some of the gifts that working with this model can afford the therapist.

Originally published in Journal of Systemic Therapies Vol 13(3) (Fal 1994): 26-35. "This was the beginning of a remarkable process where the client appeared to have a direct encounter with God. It left me wondering what I had just observed, and how is it that a client in my office at a community mental health center had just had a spiritual epiphany ."

This video identifies client parts that commonly seek to direct the session. Tips are offered on how to discern and work with parts holding the dominant narrative so that other parts may be heard. This video features a guided meditation to facilitate more Self-energy being present (also available as a stand-alone video: Tips for Therapists 3A). There is discussion about listening for polarities as well as how to assess for Self-energy as different parts present.

This brief video is a stand-alone meditation designed to facilitate more Self-energy being available in the system.

Describing how parts engage with each other internally and naming the positive intent of the protective parts. Common protective strategies are identified with suggested interventions including how to discern the self-like part. The mechanisms whereby protectors inform our perception is discussed (how "parts hijack our eyes") and there is some discussion on working with shame that contrasts IFS curiousity with CBT reframing. The video closes with a beautiful story from Tara Brach's work, "The Good Fairy" which, from an IFS perspective, reports the intervention of a guide in session.

This video describes a variety of ways of getting to know parts in everyday life (i.e. not necessarily during a therapy session) to facilitate more Self-leadership. Methods described include sandtray, art, checking-in, offering appreciations, different styles of journalling and more.