An Experiential Introduction to Internal Family Systems

An offering by The Wholehearted Therapist School

A 4-week virtual cohort for clinicians who want to embody the IFS model, not just learn about it.

Starts May 5, 2026 • Tuesdays, 9:00–11:00 AM CDT • Max 25 Therapists • Virtual via Zoom

$250 Early Bird (through April 20) • $300 Standard Registration

The Gap

You’ve read about IFS. You’ve listened to the podcasts. Maybe you’ve even tried working with parts in your sessions.

But there’s a gap between understanding the model intellectually and actually feeling it in your body — the calm, the clarity, the confidence that comes from Self-leadership.

Most continuing education doesn’t close that gap. It’s lecture-heavy, theory-dense, and emotionally disconnected. You leave with more information but not more presence.

You deserve training that nourishes you as a therapist, not just fills your notebook.

A Different Kind of Training

An Experiential Introduction to Internal Family Systems is a four-week experiential cohort designed for clinicians who want to deepen their understanding of IFS while also strengthening their own Self-leadership as therapists.

Rather than focusing solely on technique, this program centers the Self of the therapist. You’ll learn the foundations of the IFS model while engaging in guided experiential exercises designed to help you recognize and relate to your own internal system.

The result is not just more knowledge about IFS, but a felt sense of calm, clarity, and confidence in the therapy room.

Think of it as: clinical training + reflective supervision + restorative retreat.

What You’ll Explore Over Four Weeks

• Core assumptions and paradigm of IFS

• Multiplicity of the mind and systems thinking

• How burdened parts develop and what they need

• The internal family system: managers, firefighters, and exiles

• Self-energy and the therapist stance

• The 5 P’s and the 6 F’s of IFS practice

• Unblending and working with parts in session

Each session includes teaching, experiential practice, and small group reflection so that you can embody the model rather than simply learn about it.

How It Works

4 weeks • 2-hour live sessions • Max 25 therapists • 100% virtual

One cohort, four sessions. Each one builds on the last.

Sessions are long enough to go deep, short enough to sustain. The group is small enough for real connection and large enough for diverse perspectives. All you need is a quiet space and Zoom.

Each Session Follows the Same Grounding Rhythm

• Arrival + grounding meditation

• Teaching on key IFS concepts

• Guided experiential practice

• Small group processing

• Large group integration + Q&A

You’ll also receive simple weekly reflection practices to deepen your awareness of parts between sessions.

This Is Not Your Typical CEU

Experiential, Not Lecture-Based

You won’t just hear about IFS you’ll practice it. Each session includes guided exercises with your own internal system, so you leave with felt understanding, not just notes.

Self-of-the-Therapist Centered

This training isn’t just about learning a model it’s about becoming the therapist who can use it. Develop the presence, groundedness, and Self-leadership that makes IFS work.

Training That Feels Like a Retreat

Every session begins with grounding and ends with integration. The pace is designed to regulate your nervous system, not overwhelm it. You’ll leave feeling more resourced, not more drained.

Accessible and Affordable

Real IFS practice. No intensive program required. No prerequisites, no waitlists, no travel. Just curiosity and a willingness to explore.

Is This For You?

This program is designed for clinicians who:

• Are curious about Internal Family Systems

• Want to become IFS-informed in their clinical work

• Want a more experiential learning environment

• Are interested in developing the Self of the therapist

• Want to explore IFS before committing to an intensive program

Ideal participants include social workers, counselors, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and therapists in training.

Basic familiarity with IFS concepts is helpful but not required. The only prerequisite is curiosity.

What Others Have Said

These are real quotes from participants of previous trainings.

"Kitty is a gifted presenter who packed a ton of information into a relatively short training without it feeling overwhelming. Her gentle humor and compassionate nature came shining through." -- M.H., LPC-Supervisor

"Kitty was great. I loved the way she opened our session with a guided meditation to be present." -- J.P., LPC

"Kitty was a great presenter and kept my interest. I feel it was a very worthwhile workshop and I'm referring some of my supervisees." -- S.D. - LCSW-S

"The presenter provided a welcoming and safe space for learning." -- A.V., LCSW-S

"Your knowledge, passion, and care (of clients and fellow practitioners) was so evident. So glad I signed up!" -- S.S., LCSW-S

Meet Your Facilitator

Kitty Ferguson, LCSW-S, MSSW

IFS Level 1 Trained | EMDR Certified Therapist

Kitty is the co-founder of The Wholehearted Therapist School and creator of The Wholehearted House framework, an integrative model of relational healing and self-leadership.

Her work blends Internal Family Systems, EMDR, systems theory, and interpersonal neurobiology to help clinicians and clients cultivate compassionate relationships with themselves and others.

She is deeply committed to supporting therapists in developing sustainable, grounded clinical practice rooted in Self-leadership. Kitty also runs her own group practice, Unbroken Abundance.

An Experiential Introduction to Internal Family Systems is the first offering of The Wholehearted Therapist School — an initiative dedicated to supporting clinicians through experiential education, mentorship, and community grounded in compassion, curiosity, and connection.

Reserve Your Spot

Early Bird — $250 (Register by April 20)

Standard Registration — $300 (After April 20)

Both tiers include:

• 4 weekly live sessions (2 hours each)

• Guided experiential IFS practice

• Small group reflection and processing

• Weekly reflection practices

• Certificate of completion

Cohort begins May 5, 2026. Sessions meet Tuesdays at 9:00–11:00 AM CDT for four consecutive weeks.

Questions before you register? Email kitty@unbrokenabundance.com

Four weeks of experiential IFS learning, guided practice, and grounded community.

This is not a training about IFS. It’s a training in it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need prior IFS training or experience?

No. This cohort is designed as an experiential introduction. Basic familiarity with IFS concepts is helpful but not required. If you’ve heard of parts, Self-energy, or the IFS model and want to go deeper, this is for you.

Is this a substitute for Level 1 training?

No. This training is designed as an experiential introduction and is not affiliated with or a substitute for official IFS Institute Level 1 training. It is a wonderful entry point for clinicians who want to explore the model before (or instead of) pursuing Level 1.

Is this virtual?

Yes. All sessions take place on Zoom. You can participate from anywhere. We recommend finding a quiet, private space where you can be present without interruption.

What is the time commitment?

Two hours per week for four weeks, plus optional brief reflection practices between sessions. Sessions meet Tuesdays at 9:00–11:00 AM CDT.

What if I have to miss a session?

We understand that schedules happen. While live attendance is strongly encouraged because of the experiential nature of the program, we will provide a brief summary and reflection prompt for any missed session. Recordings of the teaching portions may be available, but the experiential and group components cannot be replicated asynchronously.

Will I receive CEUs?

Yes, this training offers 8 CEUs for Texas clinicians. A certificate of completion will be provided to all other participants.

How many people will be in the cohort?

Max 25. We intentionally keep the cohort small to allow for meaningful experiential practice and small group connection.

What is the refund policy?

Full refund if requested 7+ days before the first session. 50% refund within 7 days. No refunds after the first session. Transfers to a colleague or future cohort accepted.

Will you offer this again?

Yes. This is the inaugural cohort, and we plan to offer it again. Sign up for the waitlist at and you’ll be the first to hear about the next round.

This training is designed as an experiential introduction to Internal Family Systems concepts and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a substitute for official IFS Institute Level 1 training. An Experiential Introduction to Internal Family Systems is an offering of The Wholehearted Therapist School.