Frank Anderson – 2-Day Intensive Workshop: Treating Complex Trauma with Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Description

Handouts

Outline

Treating the Various Types of Trauma

• Acute trauma
• PTSD
• Complex or relational trauma
• Developmental and attachment traumas
• Extreme or dissociative trauma

Internal Family Systems (IFS): Healing of Emotional Wounds

• The origins, goals & assumptions
• A non-pathologizing, accelerated approach, rooted in neuroscience
• Different from phase-oriented treatment
  • The importance of our protective responses
  • Deal with emotional overwhelm head-on
• Multiplicity of the mind – we all have parts
• Healing at the cellular level
• Study limitations: small sample size, no control group
• Clinical considerations for clients experiencing abuse

Manage Common Co-Morbidities

• Depression, panic attacks, substance abuse, eating disorders, ADD and OCD
• A non-pathological approach
  • Comorbidities as protective responses to trauma
  • Symptoms as “parts of the self”

Differentiate Therapeutic Issues from Biological Conditions

• Intersection of biology and situation (“Real Mind-Body Medicine”)
• Therapist’s role in biology – When to refer and when to work it through
• Psychotherapy of psychopharmacology

The IFS Technique

Step 1: Identify the Target Symptom

• Identify the “target symptom”
• Apply meditation practices
• Separate the person (self) from the symptom
• Learn about its intention

Step 2: Gain Access to Internal Strengths & Resource for Healing

• Move from defensiveness to curiosity
• The “Self” of the therapist-countertransference redefined
• Access compassion to open the pathways toward healing
• Role of empathy in healing – the benefits and the downsides

Step 3: Find the Fear and Function of the Symptom

• Focusing on its fear
• The real story behind the symptom
• Foster the internal relationship

Attachment Disorders and Relational Trauma

• IFS as internal attachment work
• Attachment styles as parts of self
• Attachment trauma – the role of the therapist
• Heal relational wounds of childhood
• Client’s “Self” as the corrective object
• Work with preverbal trauma

The Neurobiology of Trauma

• Neuroscience for therapists – what you need to know
• Fear circuitry and the development of PTSD
• Extreme reactions and Autonomic Nervous System
• Rage to suicide and dissociation to shame

Dealing with the Extreme Reactions of Trauma

• Talk directly to the symptom-direct access
• Introducing the part to the “Self”
• Deal with the overwhelm – no need for building resources
• Therapist parts – How to stay clear and calm while working with clients in extreme states

How Neuroscience Informs Therapeutic Decisions

• Top-down and bottom-up strategies rooted in neuroscience
• When it’s necessary to take over and “be the auxiliary brain” for your client
• Sensing vs. making sense of things
• At home strategies

Step 4: Healing of Traumatic Wounds:

• Three phases to healing:
  • Witness the pain
  • Remove the wounded part out of the past
  • Let go of the feelings, thoughts and beliefs
• Science behind the healing – memory reconsolidation

Integrate IFS into Your Treatment Approach

• EMDR, DBT, Sensorimotor/SE and other methods
• Transformation vs adaptation or rehabilitation
• Going beyond the cognitive (experiential therapies)
• Integrate IFS with your current clinical approach

Live demonstrations
Meditations
Practice sessions

Faculty

Frank Anderson, MD Related seminars and products: 18

---

Frank Anderson, MD, completed his residency and was a clinical instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is both a psychiatrist and psychotherapist and specializes in the treatment of trauma and dissociation. He is passionate about teaching brain-based psychotherapy and integrating current neuroscience knowledge with the IFS model of therapy.

Dr. Anderson is a lead trainer at the IFS Institute with Richard Schwartz and maintains a long affiliation with, and trains for, Bessel van der Kolk’s Trauma Center. He serves as an advisor to the International Association of Trauma Professionals (IATP) and was the former chair and director of the Foundation for Self-Leadership.

Dr. Anderson has lectured extensively on the Neurobiology of PTSD and Dissociation and wrote the chapter “Who’s Taking What” Connecting Neuroscience, Psychopharmacology and Internal Family Systems for Trauma in Internal Family Systems Therapy – New Dimensions. He co-authored a chapter on “What IFS Brings to Trauma Treatment in Innovations and Elaborations in Internal Family Systems Therapy” and recently co-authored Internal Family Systems Skills Training Manual.

Dr. Anderson maintains a private practice in Concord, MA.

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial: Frank Anderson maintains a private practice. He receives a consulting fee from the Center for Self Leadership. Dr. Anderson receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc.

Non-financial: Frank Anderson is the President of the Foundation for Self Leadership.