Question 1

What makes your IFS training courses so special?

Accepted Answer

The combination of practical training, intensive support and personal development makes the IFS training a particularly effective training course for you.

• High practical orientation 
   All training courses are highly practice-oriented. You practice the IFS concepts directly in small groups, which creates an intensive and personal learning environment.

• Experienced trainers 
   You will be accompanied by highly experienced IFS trainers who bring in-depth knowledge and practical experience. This means you receive high-quality guidance and support throughout the entire training course.

• Individual support 
   Thanks to a high support ratio (3:1 of participants to PAs), you enjoy individual support that responds to your specific needs and intensifies your learning process.

• Step-by-step deepening 
   The training builds systematically on one another so that you deepen your knowledge and skills at each level. This promotes a sustainable application of the IFS techniques.

• Personal development 
   In addition to professional training, your personal development is also a focus. You will deal intensively with your own inner processes, which not only promotes your therapeutic skills, but also your personal growth.

• Certification and recognition 
   Our training courses are recognized by the institute of the founder Dr. Richard Schwartz (IFSI). After successful participation, you will receive a certificate of completion from the IFSI. This opens the way for you to qualify as a certified IFS therapist or certified IFS trainer.

Question 2

Is it worth doing Level 1 if I have already completed an IFS training course somewhere else?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is definitely worth completing the IFS Level 1 training, even if you have already completed an IFS training course elsewhere. Here are the main reasons:

1. Official certificate and internationally recognized qualification
Level 1 is more than just training - it is the entry into a world full of possibilities:
 • It gives you the opportunity to later work as an internationally certified IFS therapist, program assistant (PA) or even as a trainer.
 • You can later take part in international projects or qualify for specializations such as IFS supervision.
 • Completion of Level 1 gives you access to Levels 2 and 3, which offer exciting topic-specific in-depth studies (e.g. trauma work, children & adolescents, couples work & sexuality, addictions, eating disorders, spirituality) and are led by leading IFS personalities such as Dr. Richard Schwartz, Susan McConnell, Frank Anderson, Toni Herbine-Blank, Pam Krause or Chris Burris.

2. Latest content and the original model by Dr. Richard Schwartz
 • You will learn the original Internal Family Systems (IFS) directly according to Richard Schwartz.
 • The training integrates the latest findings from IFS research, teaching and practice worldwide. According to Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS has developed considerably since its discovery.
 • Level 1 is led by IFS Institute accredited trainers who are regularly trained and evaluated and are always up to date.

3. Deepening of knowledge and experience with intensive support
 • The combination of theory, practical exercises and self-experience helps you to develop an even deeper understanding of the dynamics of the model.
 • Level 1 offers an exceptionally high level of supervision with a ratio of 3 participants to 1 Program Assistant (PA). This enables an intensive learning experience and individual feedback from experienced IFS practitioners, which can take your skills to a new level.

4. Access to the international community
 • Through the training you become part of the global IFS community.
 • You will make contact with other participants, trainers and program assistants from different countries (e.g. England, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands) and can actively participate in this lively, constantly growing community.

Question 3

What advantages does the internationally recognized licensing of my IFS training offer me?

Accepted Answer

Our training levels 1-3 are particularly attractive for anyone seeking high-quality and internationally recognized training in IFS therapy.

• Internationally recognized
   Our IFS training courses are recognized by the International IFS Institute (IFSI) founded by Dr. Richard Schwartz. They can therefore be combined with all other offers from the IFSI and its official partner institutes worldwide.

• Latest status from international research and practice
   We offer the original IFS training courses from IFSI. These always correspond to the latest international standards. The latest developments and findings from research and practice are incorporated into the curriculum.

• Quality assurance
   The content and framework conditions of the training are subject to the high quality standards of the IFSI, which are the same internationally and are regularly evaluated.

• Global network and diversity
   As part of the worldwide network, you have access to a strong community and its resources. The diversity of the network is growing and you can benefit from it. 
   
 • Exclusive content and programs
   IFSI often offers special programs and additional resources. These include topic-specific workshops, training on specific aspects of IFS therapy, or access to exclusive online courses and alumni programs.

Question 4

Are there continuing education points from the Chamber of Psychotherapists?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for the IFS training levels 1-3 there are continuing education points from the relevant psychotherapist chamber (a total of 111 continuing education points).

Question 5

What is the difference between the trainings Level 1, 2 and 3?

Accepted Answer

Levels 1-3 offer you in-depth, well-founded therapeutic training in the Internal Family Systems model. The three levels build systematically on one another so that you continually deepen your knowledge and expand your skills.

Level 1
Here you will learn the basic concepts and techniques of the IFS model. Theory and practice are combined in an intensive and safe environment - through direct implementation in supervised small groups. This first step gives you deep insights into your own inner system.

Level 2
Level 2 is more intensive: you apply IFS to more complex, challenging therapeutic scenarios. Choose from thematic focuses to deepen your expertise in certain areas, such as trauma work. In supervised small groups, you practice in a practical way and gain deeper insights into specific challenges.

Level 3
Level 3 is for experienced therapists who want to take their IFS competencies to the next level. The focus is on intensive, personal work and deep reflection. You will recognize blind spots and sharpen your therapeutic identity. Level 3 is only conducted by a select group of particularly experienced trainers.

Question 6

Who leads the training courses?

Accepted Answer

The training courses are led by certified IFS trainers who have extensive experience with the IFS model and have received comprehensive training.

Program Assistants (PAs) work with the participants under the guidance of the trainers.

Question 7

Is there a final exam in the Level 1-3 training courses?

Accepted Answer

No, there is neither an oral nor a written exam.

Question 8

Is the training recorded?

Accepted Answer

No. The IFS Institute has a recording ban for all parts of the training.

Question 9

Can I apply IFS directly in my practice after Level 1?

Accepted Answer

Once you have completed your Level 1, you can tell your clients that you are trained in IFS Level 1. You can integrate IFS into your work, tailored to your professional background.

We recommend that you schedule appropriate IFS counseling or supervision.

Question 10

What is the difference between the international IFS Institute, the IFS AKADEMIE, other German IFS institutes and IFS Germany e.V.?

Accepted Answer

IFS ACADEMY
The IFS AKADEMIE is the only institute in the German-speaking region to offer the original IFS training courses from the IFSI. The most current findings from the international teaching, practice and research of IFS are incorporated here.
The training courses are recognized worldwide by the IFSI and can be combined with the offerings of the IFSI and its international partner institutes. In addition, our training courses are recognized by the country-specific psychotherapy chambers in Germany.
Other international partner institutes are in France, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Russia, Israel, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

International IFS Institute (IFSI) :
The IFSI is based in the USA and is the central training institute for the IFS method, founded by Dr. Richard Schwartz. It is also an important player in the worldwide promotion, development and dissemination of the IFS method.

The main activities of the IFSI include:
- Training and certification
- Research and Development
- Global networking and cooperation
- Events and conferences
- Learning content and publications

Other German IFS institutes
In Germany, IFS training courses are also offered by other institutes. These institutes are not affiliated with the IFSI and work independently. They offer their own training formats.

IFS Germany eV (formerly IFS Europe eV)
IFS Germany eV is an association and pursues the following goals:
- Distribution and publicity of IFS
- Networking of IFS interested parties
- Promoting research on IFS

The association is a platform for all IFS enthusiasts and actors. The highlight is the annual IFS conference. It offers a podcast, regular meetings and webinars, among other things. The association does not organize any further training or continuing education courses.

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