IFS Certification Policy

Effective: January 1, 2010

The Center for Self Leadership is pleased to offer its new certification process both to acknowledge qualified individuals and to establish standards of competency for practicing IFS therapists and those using IFS through various professional applications.

There are two categories of IFS Certification – Certified IFS Therapist and Certified IFS Practitioner. Please read this document for details regarding eligibility and criteria for becoming certified. If you have additional questions or wish to request an application packet to become certified, please send an email to certification@selfleadership.org.

  1. PREREQUISITES FOR APPLYING FOR IFS CERTIFICATION

    1. Certified IFS Therapist

      To apply to become a Certified IFS Therapist an applicant must demonstrate that:

      1. S/he has earned a Masters degree in a human services field, and

      2. Is licensed or certified for clinical practice.

    2. Certified IFS Practitioner

      No prerequisites except as outlined elsewhere in this document.

  2. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR CERTIFICATION AS AN IFS THERAPIST OR IFS PRACTITIONER

    The applicant must fulfill each of the four criteria (A, B, C and D) below.

    1. Successful completion of a Level 1/Basic IFS Training Program, defined as having earned the Certificate of Completion.

    2. Documentation showing one year of post-Level 1/Basic Training clinical IFS practice or a minimum of 200 hours of clinical/applied practice following completion of a Level 1/Basic IFS Training. Completion is defined as having earned the Certificate of Completion.

    3. Documentation of 20 hours of IFS Continuing Education through individual or group IFS consultation, as noted below:

      1. 20 hours of IFS consultation, up to 10 hours of which may be group;
        or
      2. 10 hours of IFS consultation, up to 5 hours of which may be group, with an additional 10 hours (or more) from any of the following IFS events (whether or not a certificate of completion was awarded):

        IFS Retreats
        IFS Annual Conference
        IFS Workshops
        CSL Telecourses
        Participation as Program Assistant in a Level 1 or Level 2 Training
        Level 2 IFS Training
        Level 3 IFS Training

    4. Demonstration of competency via option 1 or 2 below:

      1. DVD Session Review

        Applicant must send a good quality DVD recording of a 50-60 minute session to a Certification Reviewer with the required evaluation form provided in the application packet. DVD submissions DO NOT have to be sessions with clients. Submissions of sessions with colleagues, friends etc. are also acceptable.

      2. Live Session Review (no DVD needed)

        1. Two 50-60 minute live sessions (one must be with a client) will be reviewed by Certification Reviewer.

        2. Approximately 30 minutes will be set aside for feedback and discussion following each live session review.

      3. For both the DVD and Live Session Reviews, the applicant must provide:

        1. One-page summary detailing the skills and aspects of the IFS model exemplified

        2. The therapeutic history with this client

        3. Self-evaluation of the applicant's own growing edges as well as his/her competence in the session(s). This could take the form of a Self and Parts self-assessment to describe how the applicant maintains and identifies his/her own Self energy in the session, and how s/he works with therapists’ parts that may be triggered.

      4. DVD and Live Session Reviewers

        DVDs and live sessions are reviewed by currently active IFS Lead or Co-Lead Trainers who are Certification Reviewers. IFS Assistant Trainers who have completed at least one Level 1 Training AT assignment and who are Certification Reviewers are also qualified to review DVDs and live sessions.

        Please visit the Certification section of the CSL website for a complete list of Certification Reviewers.

  3. DVD AND LIVE SESSION EVALUATION AND FEEDBACK

    1. The Reviewer will assess the skill level of the applicant according to the lists of competencies below. If the applicant does not satisfy the required competencies, s/he will be required to submit another DVD session or do another live session. If the applicant fails twice, the Reviewer will make recommendations for additional consultation or training, according to certification standards.

    2. All decisions of the Reviewer are final.

    3. DVD and Live Session Review Competencies Lists

      1. An applicant is required to demonstrate the following competencies for successful DVD or Live Session Review:

        1. Therapist demonstrates Self Energy throughout session(s) and claims own parts’ interference if needed
        2. Listens to presenting problem and identifies key parts involved
        3. Contracts to work on target part(s)
        4. Demonstrates the 6 “F”s
        5. Addresses Manager fears and/or negotiates with Firefighters
        6. Helps client unblend
        7. Demonstrates development of therapeutic relationship

      1. The Reviewer will also be cognizant of the demonstration of any of the following, or of any unspecified competencies within the model:

        1. Extends /increases client’s Self Energy to target part
        2. Contracts with Exiles to not overwhelm (if needed)
        3. Completes six steps of healing (witnessing, unburdening, etc.)
        4. Retrieval (if needed)
        5. Invitation of positive qualities
        6. Integration
        7. Switches to new target part
        8. Facilitates expression of appreciation to parts from Self
        9. Introduces the model (if applicable)

  4. IFS CERTIFICATION “GRANDPARENTING” CLAUSE

    Application for IFS Certification under this “Grandparenting” clause must be received between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2010.

    The concept of an applicant being grandparented implies that accumulated experience allows certain exceptions to be made to the standard certification requirements. The primary goal for all routes to certification is to demonstrate competency and a level of excellence in the professional application and/or clinical practice of IFS.

    1. Eligibility Requirements for "Grandparenting" for IFS Certification
      The applicant must fulfill each of the four criteria (1, 2, 3 and 4) below.

      1. Documentation of successful completion of Level 1/Basic IFS Training

      2. Documentation of a minimum of two years or 400 hours of post-Level 1 Training clinical IFS practice or of application of IFS to one’s professional practice.

      3. Documentation of either option a or b below:

        1. 20 hours of consultation during two years of clinical IFS practice, or documentation of 20 hours of consultation during two years of application of IFS to one’s professional practice

        2. Three professional letters of reference from currently practicing IFS therapists attesting to the applicant’s competency in IFS

      4. Documentation of 20 hours of IFS Continuing Education from any of the following IFS events:

        IFS Retreats
        IFS Annual Conference (maximum 10 hours credit toward Continuing Education requirement)
        IFS Workshops
        CSL Telecourses
        Participation as Program Assistant in Level 1or 2 Training
        Completion of Level 2 and/or Level 3 Training

    2. If the criteria listed above cannot be documented, then the following applies:

      1. Demonstration of competency via option a or b below:

        1. DVD Session Review
          Applicant must send a good quality DVD recording of a 50-60 minute session to a Certification Reviewer along with the required evaluation.

        2. Live Session Review (no DVD needed)

          1. Two 50-60 minute live sessions (one must be with a client) will be reviewed by Certification Reviewer

          2. Approximately 30 minutes will be set aside for feedback and discussion following each live session review.

        3. For both the DVD and Live Session Reviews, the applicant must include:

          1. One-page summary detailing the skills and aspects of the IFS model exemplified

          2. The therapeutic history with this client

          3. Self-evaluation of the applicant's own growing edges as well as his/her competence in the session(s). This could take the form of a Self and Parts self-assessment to describe how the applicant maintains and identifies his/her own Self energy in the session, and how s/he works with therapists’ parts that may be triggered.

      2. DVD and Live Session Reviewers

        DVDs and live sessions are reviewed by currently active IFS Lead or Co-Lead Trainers who are Certification Reviewers. IFS Assistant Trainers who have completed at least one Level 1 Training AT assignment and who are Certification Reviewers are also qualified to review DVDs and live sessions.

        Please visit the Certification section of the CSL website for a complete list of Certification Reviewers.

      3. DVD and Live Session Evaluation and Feedback

        1. The Reviewer will assess the skill level of the “grandparenting” applicant according to the lists of competencies below. If the applicant does not satisfy the required competencies, s/he is ineligible for grandparented certification. Applicants will always be given feedback about sessions from the Reviewer.

        2. All decisions of the Reviewer are final.

        3. DVD and Live Session Review Competencies Lists
          An applicant is required to demonstrate the following competencies for successful DVD or Live Session Review:

          1. Therapist demonstrates Self Energy throughout session(s) and claims own parts' interference if needed
          2. Listens to presenting problem and identifies key parts involved
          3. Contracts to work on target part(s)
          4. Demonstrates the 6 “F”s
          5. Addresses Manager fears and/or negotiates with Firefighters
          6. Helps client unblend
          7. Demonstrates development of therapeutic relationship

          The Reviewer will also be cognizant of the demonstration of any of the following, or of any unspecified competencies within the model:

          1. Extends /increases client’s Self Energy to target part
          2. Contracts with Exiles to not overwhelm (if needed)
          3. Completes six steps of healing (witnessing, unburdening, etc.)
          4. Retrieval (if needed)
          5. Invitation of positive qualities
          6. Integration
          7. Switches to new target part
          8. Facilitates expression of appreciation to parts from Self
          9. Introduces the model (if applicable)

  5. RECERTIFICATION

    1. Recertification is required every two years. Proof of completion of 20 hours of IFS Continuing Education for the two year time period is required. If a certified IFS Practitioner or Therapist does not recertify, all the privileges of certification as listed in this document are discontinued.

    2. A Certified IFS Practitioner or Therapist must apply for recertification within 30 days of the expiration of his/her original certification date as listed on his/her certificate.

    3. If a Certified IFS Practitioner or Therapist does not apply for recertification within 1 year of the expiration of his/her prior certification, then proof of 10 hours of consultation and 30 hours of IFS Continuing Education from any of the following events are required:

      4. IFS Retreats
      IFS Annual Conference (maximum 10 hours credit toward Continuing Education requirement)
      IFS Workshops
      CSL Telecourses
      Participation as Program Assistant in Level 1or 2 Training
      Completion of Level 2 and/or Level 3 Training

  6. PRIVILEGES OF IFS CERTIFICATION

    1. Listing on The Center for Self Leadership website as a Certified IFS Therapist or Certified IFS Practitioner

    2. Authorization to call oneself a Certified IFS Therapist or Certified IFS Practitioner on business cards, flyers, biographical sketches, curriculum vitae, resumes, etc.

    3. May be granted permission by The Center for Self Leadership when making a request to use IFS intellectual property for any endeavor, eg., books, courses, workshops, promotions

  7. FEES
    1. Fees are subject to change.

    2. Certification:
      1. $50 application fee, and
      2. $150 certification fee

    3. DVD Session Review: $150, paid directly to Certification Reviewer

    4. Live Session Review: $150 plus any applicable Reviewer travel expenses, payable for each session reviewed

    5. Recertification: $150, payable each time recertification occurs (currently required every two years)