Workshop Description:

In this daylong workshop, we will explore the integration of art therapy principles with Internal Family Systems (IFS) for use by expressive arts therapists, counselors, and psychotherapists in virtually any clinical setting. The goal of IFS is to build internal cooperation and increase "self-leadership" using eight internal resources such as curiosity, compassion, and creativity. Case material will demonstrate how the presenters have applied art therapy with IFS to effectively work with individuals and groups in treatment. Participants will be able to experience collage and clay activities to explore their own internal parts and Self, and lean how this process can enhance emotional and clinical development. They will also practice dialoging and unblending among parts which will allow for a somatic understanding of the concepts.

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Learning Objectives:

1. Clarify 3 or more ways that IFS and art therapy theory complement each other to promote transformation for clients in both individual and group settings.

2. Describe 4 IFS-informed art interventions used to identify parts and their relationship to each other, fostering unblending, enhancing internal dialogue and increasing self-compassion in both the clinician and the client.

3. Participants will be able to describe the 6 f’s of the IFS model and how it applies in art making.