IFS Institute Certification

Certified IFS Therapist

To apply to be a Certified IFS Therapist, the applicant must certify that:

• They have obtained a Master's degree in a Human Services field or any other appropriate mental health degree as defined by their country of practice, and
• They are licensed, registered, and/or certified for clinical practice in their country of residence

Certified IFS Practitioner

To apply to be a Certified IFS Practitioner, it is required:

To be registered or certified in your own scope of practice. The scope of professional practice is determined by the individual's professional background prior to IFS certification, even for applicants located in countries without registration systems.

General eligibility criteria for certification as an IFS therapist or IFS Practitioner

The applicant must meet the four requirements listed below.

Requirement 1:Have successfully completed

• one (1) IFS Level I training program and one (1) Level II, or
• one (1) IFS Level I training program and another (1) Level I as a Program Assistant (PA).

(Completion is defined as having obtained the corresponding Certificate of Completion).

Requirement 2:Documentation demonstrating a minimum of 2 years and 200 hours of regular IFS application practice after Level I in the applicant's relevant field of practice.

This must be confirmed and signed by their IFS-I approved clinical supervisor. Approved IFS-I clinical supervisors may ask you to request a note confirming your practice from a supervisor or coworker if additional verification is required.

Requirement 3:Documentation of 30 hours of IFS continuing education and IFS clinical supervision, as indicated below.

• 15 hours of IFS continuing education and
• 15 hours of IFS clinical supervision with an IFS-approved clinical supervisor (7 hours must be individual consultation; maximum 6 participants per group).

Requirement 4:Recommendation from an IFS-I approved clinical supervisor.

The applicant must agree with the supervisor that he/she:

• Signs the listing of the 2 years and a minimum of 200 direct IFS hours
• Confirms the completion of the required supervision hours
• Observes the applicant in a live or recorded session, a demonstration, or a role-play.
• Fills out the required supervision forms and makes a recommendation for certification.

Requirement 5:Review of a recorded session or live session review

The candidate must meet each of the following criteria:

1. Must have completed the basic Level I IFS training and consequently must have received the participation certificate at the end of the course.

2. Must have completed a minimum of 200 hours of IFS practice, after having obtained the participation certificate from the basic Level I training.

3. Must have done a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education, of which at least 20 hours of individual or group supervision *(of which at least half must be individual sessions) and 10 hours of IFS continuing education.

The candidate must also complete 10 hours of individual or group IFS supervision (of which at least half of the sessions must be individual) and 20 hours or more of training by attending one of the following activities:

• IFS seminars or retreats focused on developing IFS competencies.
• Annual IFS Conference, which counts for a maximum of 10 hours.
• IFS workshops led by IFS trainers or by certified IFS specialist psychotherapists accredited by the IFS Institute.
• Online IFS classes offered by the IFS Institute.
• Attendance at a training level, whether Level 1 or Level 2 IFS.
• Level 2 IFS courses.
• Level 3 IFS courses. (*) In the case of group supervision, the number of hours to be valued is left to the discretion of the IFS supervisor.

4. The candidate must demonstrate the competencies acquired.

This demonstration is done by examining a session comprising a previously recorded unburdening on a DVD, or conducted live with a duration of 50 to 60 minutes. This examination is conducted by a person assigned by the Certification Committee. The session presented does not necessarily have to be applied to a patient; it can be done with a partner, a friend, etc.

Recorded and live sessions are reviewed by active IFS Lead Trainers, Co-Lead Trainers, or Assistant Trainers who are Certification Reviewers and are also qualified to review video and live sessions.

Here you will find an updated list of IFS Certification Video Reviewers.

Applicants must send a good-quality recording of a session of approximately 45-60 minutes with a person within the framework of an IFS work session to a Certification Reviewer or schedule a time when the reviewer can join a live IFS session of the same duration.

Flat fee of €200 for a video session review of up to 60 minutes to be paid directly to the Certification Reviewer.

Additional report requests will be charged according to the hourly rate agreed upon with the Certification Reviewer.

For both the recorded session review and the live session review, the applicant must provide:

• A one-page summary describing the context and/or contract regarding the scope of the IFS session process
• A one-page summary detailing the skills and aspects of the IFS model exemplified.
• A one-page self-assessment of the applicant's own growing aspects, as well as their strengths in the session(s). This could take the form of a Self and Parts self-assessment to describe how the applicant maintains and identifies their own Self energy in the session, and how they work with therapist Parts that may be activated.

Video Review Details

If the video exceeds 60 minutes, additional fees will be adjusted proportionally and agreed upon with the Certification Reviewer before submitting the video over 60 minutes.

No personal dual relationship is allowed between the applicant and their Certification Reviewer (the applicant cannot use their supervisor as a video reviewer).

The Certification Reviewer will provide feedback on the video session in the form of a brief written note listing strengths and weaknesses.

Evaluation and Feedback on Recorded and Live Sessions

The Certification Reviewer will assess the applicant's skill level according to the competency lists below, using the evaluation form included in the application material. If the applicant does not meet the required competencies, they will be asked to submit another video session or perform another live session with the same Certification Reviewer. If the applicant is deemed not ready for certification on two occasions, the reviewer will make recommendations for additional consultation or training, according to certification standards. For the 3rd review, applicants have the opportunity to choose a new Certification Reviewer. After the 3rd attempt, we recommend that applicants determine a 1-year learning plan based on the feedback received before their next video review.

All reviewer decisions are final. A new video must be submitted for each new review.

Competency List for Recorded or Live Session Review

The applicant must demonstrate the following competencies to successfully pass the recorded or live session review (see the certification review form for the complete list):

• The therapist demonstrates Self energy throughout the session(s) and names the interference of their own Parts if necessary.
• Listens to the presented problem and identifies the key Parts involved.
• Commits to working with the target Part(s).
• Extends/increases the client's Self energy towards the target Part.
• Demonstrates and follows the 6 Steps.
• Addresses the client with Direct Access, if necessary, or develops the relationship between the Self and the Part.
• Addresses the fears of the protective Parts.
• Identifies and attends to all active protective Parts.
• Facilitates the client's separation.
• Recognizes and fosters the relationship with Exiled Parts.
• Progresses through the 6 Steps of healing at least to witnessing the Exiled Part's experience.
• Invites unburdening, although not mandatory due to lack of time*.
• Facilitates the expression of gratitude from the Self towards the Parts.
• Closes the session safely.
• The applicant must progress through the 6 Steps of healing at least to witnessing the Exiled Part (unburdening, invitation not always necessary if time does not permit).

The reviewer will also be aware of the demonstration of any of the following, or any competency not specified within the model:

• Assesses external limitations
• Contracts with Exiled Parts not to overwhelm (if necessary)
• Switches to a new target Part if necessary
• Presents the model (if applicable)
• Works with polarized Parts

Recertification Requirements

Recertification is required every 2 years.

Look for your certification expiration date in your IFS certification PDF.

Recertification requirements:

1. $150 for your recertification payment.

2. Fill out the recertification application page and submit 20 hours of IFS continuing education, including Certificates of Completion for the programs you have attended. Please send all materials as email attachments to certification@ifs-institute.com. We no longer accept physical mail.

IFS Continuing Education Credits that Count for Recertification

IFS continuing education for recertification can come from these advanced IFS events:

• Level II IFS trainings
• Level III IFS trainings
• Attendance at Level I, II, or III training programs
• Retreats, workshops, or IFS programs facilitated by active IFS Institute trainers
• IFS Continuity Program
• Annual IFS Conference
• Participation as a Program Assistant in a Level I, II, or III Training
• Events with Richard Schwartz
• And any of the following events:
• IFS-I pre-approved advanced workshops led by certified therapists or practitioners

• Priority listing in the IFS Institute Directory
• Authorization to call oneself Certified IFS Therapist or Certified IFS Practitioner on business cards, brochures, biographical sketches, curriculum vitae, resumes, etc.
• Can request review of advanced IFS programming for IFS Continuing Education Credits for recertification
• Certain rights and responsibilities of use over IFS Intellectual Property within the framework of IFS-I policies and regarding IFS-I trademarks
• Growth potential with the Institute: for certified IFS therapists: First step on the path to becoming an Approved IFS Clinical Consultant or advancing towards the Trainer Track.

4. The candidate must demonstrate the competencies acquired.

This demonstration is done by examining a session comprising a previously recorded unburdening on a DVD, or conducted live with a duration of 50 to 60 minutes. This examination is conducted by a person assigned by the Certification Committee. The session presented does not necessarily have to be applied to a patient; it can be done with a partner, a friend, etc.

Video and live session review fee: €200 for a session up to 60 minutes (adjusted proportionally if longer than 60 minutes), plus the certification reviewer's travel expenses (if applicable) to be paid for each session reviewed and directly to the certification reviewer.

This IFS Certification Policy will come into effect on May 1, 2023.

New fees for Certification Reviewers will come into effect on May 1, 2023 for all individuals requesting a Review.

There will be a one-year window (May 1, 2024) from the date of the new policy provision during which individuals who have previously purchased a Certification package and have already started the Certification process may complete the process with the previous package even though the new clarification of the Certified Practitioner definition and the new certification video review fees still apply. For those who have already purchased the previous package, you can find the previous Certification Policy and all relevant transition information HERE.

Any Certification application submitted after 1 year (after May 1, 2024) must meet all the requirements of the updated policy to be approved.