Internal Family Systems and Spiritual Care

Integrated Pastoral Counseling Approaches and Theory

Using Internal Family Systems to Empower Emotional Healing and Spiritual Growth in Practice, Care, and Ministry

This is an advanced training designed to equip clergy, pastoral counselors, therapists, and spiritual directors with the tools to effectively integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS) Theory into their spiritual formation and practice. This program focuses on empowering emotional healing and fostering spiritual growth through a deeper understanding of the internal dynamics that shape our lives.

What is Internal Family Systems?

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a transformative therapeutic approach that views the mind as a system of different parts, each with its own distinct thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. These parts are often formed in response to life experiences, and while some may be protective and helpful, others may carry burdens from past traumas or unresolved issues. The goal of IFS is to help individuals achieve harmony within their internal system by identifying, understanding, and healing these parts. FS is particularly powerful in spiritual care and counseling because it aligns well with the concepts of compassion, self-awareness, and holistic healing.

What does the program consist of?

The program consists of 24 hours of training, divided into:

12 Hours of Live Online Training: Participate in interactive sessions with Rev. Tres Adames, MDiv, BCPC, where you will explore various therapeutic frameworks, including Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Family Systems Theory, and Gestalt Therapy. These sessions are customized to your specific needs and interests, ensuring the content is relevant and immediately applicable to your practice.
6 Hours of Focused Reading: Engage with selected readings and homework that complement the live training sessions. These readings are carefully chosen to deepen your understanding of the therapeutic approaches discussed in the program, providing a solid theoretical foundation for your practice.
6 Practicum Hours: Apply the principles you’ve learned in real-world settings. During these practicum hours, you will work directly with care-receivers, putting your new skills into practice. This hands-on experience reinforces what you’ve learned and helps you gain confidence in integrating therapeutic approaches into your pastoral counseling.

The program is flexible and can be taken individually or in small cohorts of no more than three people, ensuring personalized attention and deep, meaningful learning. It is designed to be completed in approximately 8 weeks, equivalent to half an academic semester.

Who should take this course?

This program is ideal for:

Clergy: Enhance your pastoral counseling skills by incorporating IFS to address the emotional and spiritual needs of your congregation.
Pastoral Counselors and Therapists: Integrate IFS with your existing therapeutic approaches to strengthen your skills in spiritually-integrated care that addresses both emotional and spiritual growth.
Spiritual Directors: Use IFS to empower directees on their spiritual journey, helping them to understand and reconcile the different parts of themselves.

Program and Cost

The next training starts November 2024 and runs for 6 weeks. The total cost for training is $400 and can either be paid in full or in 2 monthly installments of $200.