FOUNDERS

"IFS has fundamentally changed the way we see ourselves and others. It has become a way of life and a practice for us."

Anke Lang & Alexandra Frot

What we believe in

Our goal is to contribute to a world that is more connected – to oneself and to others.

How we implement this

At the IFS AKADEMIE, we support individuals, therapists and institutions in developing and passing on IFS skills - in a well-founded, practical way and through personal support.

Each of our IFS courses contains expertise, passion and a heartfelt commitment to inspire and accompany people on their journey.

What is your motivation for starting the business?

For me, IFS is a key to a happy life. Much more than a method, it's an attitude that allows me to experience myself and others. At the IFS Academy, I want to make this accessible to as many people as possible.

The academy should provide space for the freedom to develop in accordance with one's true nature and potential. It should contribute to inner peace and well-being, which springs from self-care for all parts of oneself.

My hope is that these values will be carried into the world through encounters with others.

Anke Lang

What is your motivation for starting the business?

For me, IFS is a key to a happy life. Much more than a method, it's an attitude that allows me to experience myself and others. At the IFS AKADEMIE, I want to make this accessible to as many people as possible.

The academy should provide space for the freedom to develop in accordance with one's true nature and potential. It should contribute to inner peace and well-being, which springs from self-care for all parts of oneself.

My hope is that these values will be carried into the world through encounters with others.

What is your motivation for starting the business?

IFS has enriched me both professionally and personally in a lasting way and has become an integral part of my lifestyle. It has also become a matter close to my heart to enable other people to have these positive experiences and to support them on this journey.

I am inspired by the diversity and interdisciplinary expertise of the global IFS community and I see myself as a part of it and a multiplier of it.

At the IFS akademie we combine many values that are important to me: high-quality teaching, openness to the world, modernity and continuous development.

At the same time, I can pursue my passion for teaching, therapy, and coaching.

Alexandra Frot

What qualifications do you bring?

I enjoy being able to contribute my diverse experiences from business on the one hand and psychology on the other to the IFS ACADEMY.

As a trained business psychologist, long-time change manager, executive coach and trainer, I have learned how to create space for personal growth even in a business context.

In my Munich practice for coaching and psychotherapy (according to the German Heilpraktikergesetz), I use IFS and other therapy methods daily as an IFS therapist, which deepen my therapeutic understanding.

"IFS has fundamentally changed the way we see ourselves and others. It has become a way of life and a practice for us."

Anke Lang & Alexandra Frot

We bring more IFS into the world

The IFS AKADEMIE is a place where we live the IFS philosophy. In our company, as well as in every course, we act according to Richard Schwartz's guiding principle: "All parts are welcome."

We create a space for growth, characterized by acceptance and self-compassion, where people can feel understood and safe.

01

Access to the qualities of the SELF

We support participants in getting in touch with their SELF qualities, which strengthens self-acceptance and deep self-compassion.

03

Use resistance as an opportunity

We understand internal resistance not as obstacles, but as a valuable expression of needs. We promote a solution-oriented, self-efficacious, and responsible approach to challenges.

05

International exchange

We promote collaboration and exchange between therapists and experts worldwide in order to learn and grow from diverse cultural perspectives.

02

Living diversity and openness

Diversity and openness are core values of our academy. We create spaces where every voice is heard and every contribution is welcome – in accordance with the guiding principle "All parts are welcome."

04

Peaceful conflict resolution

Our goal is to contribute to a world where conflicts are resolved more peacefully by teaching people more understanding and appreciation for themselves and others.

06

Bringing SELF-energy into the world

We connect people with their good core essence and inspire them to live their SELF-energy inwards and outwards.

Do you want to get to know us or do you have a question?

We look forward to seeing you!

Write to us.

TRAINERS

Here you will find an overview of all trainers from the international IFS Institute who give training courses for us in Germany.

We are very grateful and proud that these highly experienced, wise, and warm-hearted people are sharing their expertise with us 💛

"IFS provides a uniquely safe, effective, and respectful approach to trauma work—achieving outcomes unlike any other method."

Dr. Ann-Katrin Bockmann

Dr. Ann-Katrin Bockmann has a doctorate in psychology and is a licensed psychotherapist and speech therapist. She specializes in IFS and offers international training courses and workshops. She has many years of clinical experience working with adults, children and young people, parents, systems and organizations, as well as professionals in the helping professions and in the educational field.

She has conducted IFS trainings in various countries as a co-lead trainer and program assistant for the International IFS Institute (IFSI). She is a certified Somatic IFS therapist and works in Susan McConnell's team. Ann-Katrin is trained in IFIO - to use IFS with couples.

For Ann-Katrin, IFS is a paradigm that provides profound support to psychotherapists, has great potential to transform psychotherapy, and provides answers to the global crisis of meaning. As a lecturer and researcher at the University of Hildesheim, Ann-Katrin contributes to IFS research.

Other activities and projects

Management of the language support project KEA , which includes around 180 kindergartens
Lecturer, supervisor and self-awareness provider for psychotherapists at the Society for Behavioral Therapy
Co-founder of the “ Leyla Project ”, which supports traumatized children in refugee camps by stabilizing their mothers with IFS
Since 2019 she has been giving IFS trainings with Tom Holmes in Egypt and Jordan

Links

Mariel Pastor

Mariel Pastor is a licensed marriage and family therapist living in Portland, Oregon. She has been a long-time member of the international IFS trainer community and has worked closely with Richard Schwartz since 1998. She is the lead author of the official Level 1 manual. She also developed the "Unburdened Internal System" model, which now reflects the logo of the international IFS Institute.

Her therapeutic approach is integrative and systemic—with a special focus on inner aspects, emotional processes, body awareness, and interpersonal dynamics. Mariel is also trained in EMDR and sensorimotor psychotherapy.

With Character Mapping, she has developed a creative method that combines therapeutic knowledge with artistic self-exploration – especially for people in the narrative and performing arts.

Mariel is co-founder and clinical director of the IFS Telehealth Collective, a cross-country network of IFS-oriented therapists in the USA.

Therapeutic focuses

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Additional training in EMDR and sensorimotor psychotherapy
Close collaboration with Richard Schwartz since 1998
IFS trainer for over 14 years

Links

"As long as we live, there is always more to discover about who we really are."

Carolina Abreu

Carolina accompanies people with great presence, keen sensitivity, and a deep trust in their inner strength. In her therapeutic work, she creates a space in which even challenging inner experiences can be seen and held – with warmth, clarity, and respect for the uniqueness of each person.

Carolina is a trained psychologist specializing in neuropsychology. During her psychotherapeutic training, she focused on constructivist and experiential approaches that emphasize inner processes, self-awareness, and personal development. She has been influenced by, among other approaches, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), AEDP, ACT, Coherence Therapy, and Polyvagal Theory.

During her IFS trainer training, she was trained by numerous IFS luminaries, including Richard Schwartz, Susan McConnell, Cece Sykes, Frank and Chris Burris.

Therapeutic focuses

Studied psychology with a specialization in neuropsychology
Psychotherapy specialization for constructivist psychotherapies
Lead Trainer for the IFS Institute since 2024
Many years of experience in private practice with a focus on psychotherapy, supervision and counselling

Links

Liz Martins

Liz Martins is a highly experienced and dedicated psychotherapist and a leading figure in the field of IFS. She is a certified IFS therapist, lead trainer, certified clinical supervisor and consultant to the IFS Institute. Her work is internationally recognized and she acts as a trainer for Level 1 IFS trainings worldwide.

Liz has over 30 years' experience in training, mentoring, coaching, facilitation and consulting. Her career began in social work with children and families, where she held leadership roles and served as an independent adoption committee chair for 15 years.

Liz runs a private practice in England where she offers both online and face-to-face therapy, as well as individual and group supervision. In addition to IFS, which is the main focus of her work, she is also a certified therapist in sensorimotor psychotherapy, EMDR and psychosynthesis.

Therapeutic Focus

Adults with a focus on trauma
Developmental trauma and attachment
Integration of IFS into supervision

Links

INTERNATIONAL
PARTNER INSTITUTES

Collaboration across borders reminds us that we are all part of a larger whole that can flourish through mutual support.

The world of Internal Family Systems (IFS) is supported by a strong international network. Each partner institute is licensed by the International IFS Institute (IFSI) and follows the same high standards and training guidelines.

With their unique perspective, expertise and cultural diversity, they make the IFS method and philosophy accessible and deepened worldwide. Discover the people, values and visions behind these institutes and how they contribute to the further development of IFS.