The IFS Institute offers the opportunity to create levels of competency for all people who practice IFS and also the opportunity to obtain certification so that those who have demonstrated their qualifications are officially recognized.
Certified IFS Therapist
To apply to be a Certified IFS Therapist, the applicant must prove that:
- You have earned a Master's degree in a Human Services field or any other appropriate mental health degree as defined by your country of practice, and
- You are authorized, registered and/or certified for clinical practice in your country of residence.
IFS Certified Practitioner
To apply to be a Certified IFS Practitioner, you must:
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 completed successfully
- 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 practical application of IFS post Level I in the applicant's relevant field of practice.
This must be confirmed and signed by your IFS-I approved clinical supervisor. IFS-I approved clinical supervisors may ask you to request a note confirming your practice from a supervisor or co-worker if additional verification is required.
Requirement 3: Documentation of 30 hours of IFS continuing education and IFS clinical supervision, as noted below.
- 15 hours of continuous IFS training and
- 15 hours of IFS clinical supervision with an IFS-approved clinical supervisor (7 hours must be individual consultation; 6 participants per group maximum).
Requirement 4: Recommendation from an IFS-I approved clinical supervisor.
The applicant must agree with the supervisor that he/she:
- Sign the list of 2 years and a minimum of 200 hours of direct IFS hours
- Confirm completion of required hours of supervision
- Observe the applicant in a live or recorded session, demonstration or role-play.
- Complete the required supervision forms and make a recommendation for certification.
Requirement 5: Review of a recorded session or review of a live session
The candidate must meet each of the following criteria:
1. You must have completed the basic training of the first IFS level and consequently must have received the certificate of participation at the end of the course.
2. You must have completed a minimum of 200 hours of internship at IFS, after having obtained the certificate of participation in first-level basic training.
3. You must have completed a minimum of 30 hours of continuing training, of which at least 20 hours of individual or group supervision *(of which at least half will be individual sessions) and 10 hours of continuing training in IFS.
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 with attendance at one of the following activities:
- IFS seminars or retreats focused on the development of IFS competencies.
- Annual IFS conference that counts for a maximum of 10 hours.
- IFS workshops taught by IFS trainers or by specialist psychotherapists certified in IFS and accredited by the IFS Institute.
- IFS online classes offered by the IFS Institute.
- Attendance at a training level, be it basic level 1 or 2 of IFS.
- IFS level 2 courses.
- IFS level 3 courses.(*) In the case of group supervision, the number of hours to be assessed is left to the IFS supervisor.
4. The candidate must demonstrate the acquired skills.
This demonstration is carried out by examining a session that includes a download previously recorded on a DVD, or performed live with a duration of 50 to 60 minutes. This exam is carried out by a person assigned by the Certification Committee. The session presented should not necessarily be applied to a patient, it can be done with a partner, a friend, etc.
Recorded and live sessions are reviewed by currently 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 a Updated list of IFS Certification Video Reviewers.
Applicants must submit to a Certification Reviewer a good quality recording of an approximately 45-60 minute session with an individual as part of an IFS work session or schedule a time when the reviewer can join a live IFS session of the same duration.
Flat rate 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 review of the recorded session and the live session, the applicant must provide:
- A one-page summary describing the context and/or contract for 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 growth aspects as well as his/her 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 his or her own Self energy in session, and how he or she works with the therapist Parts that may be activated.
Video review details
If the video exceeds 60 minutes, additional fees will be adapted proportionally and agreed with the Certification Reviewer before submitting the video longer than 60 minutes.
A double personal relationship between the applicant and his/her Certification Reviewer is not permitted (the applicant cannot use his/her supervisor as a video reviewer).
The Certification Reviewer will provide information about the video session in the form of a short written note listing strengths and weaknesses.
Evaluation and comments of recorded and live sessions
The Certification Reviewer will assess the applicant's skill level in accordance with the competency lists below, using the evaluation form included in the application materials. If the applicant does not meet the required competencies, he/she will be asked to submit another video session or conduct another live session with the same Certification Reviewer. If it is considered on two occasions that the applicant is not prepared for certification, the reviewer will make recommendations for consultation or additional training, in accordance with the certification standards. For the 3rd review, applicants have the opportunity to choose a new Certification Reviewer. After the 3rd attempt, we recommend applicants determine a 1-year learning plan based on the feedback received before their next video review.
All decisions of the reviewer are final. A new video must be submitted for each new review.
List of competencies for reviewing recorded or live sessions
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 calls for interference from his or her own Parts if necessary.
- Listen to the problem at hand and identify the key Parties involved.
- Commits to working with the target Party(ies).
- Extends/increases the client's Self energy towards the target Part.
- Demonstrate and follow the 6 Steps.
- Addresses the client with Direct Access, if necessary, or develops the relationship between the Self and the Party.
- Addresses the fears of protective Parties.
- Identifies and addresses all active protective parts.
- It makes it easier for the client to part.
- Recognizes and fosters the relationship with exiled Parties
- Progress through the 6 Steps of healing at least until you witness the experience of the exiled Part.
- It invites you to download, although it is not mandatory due to lack of time*.
- Facilitates the expression of gratitude from the Self towards the Parties.
- Sign out safely.
- The applicant must progress through the 6 Steps of healing to at least witness the exiled Part (download, 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 competencies not specified within the model:
- Evaluate external limitations
- Contract with exiled Parties so as not to overwhelm (if necessary)
- Switch to a new Target Part if necessary
- Present the model (if applicable)
- Works with polarized parts
Recertification Requirements
Recertification is required every 2 years.
Find your certification expiration date on the PDF of your IFS certification.
Recertification requirements:
- $150 for him payment for your recertification.
- Complete the recertification application page and submit 20 hours of IFS continuing education, including Certificates of Completion from 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 towards re-certification
IFS continuing training for recertification can come from these advanced IFS events:
- IFS Level II Trainings
- IFS Level III Trainings
- Attendance at level I, II or III training programs
- IFS retreats, workshops or programs facilitated by active IFS Institute trainers
- IFS continuity program
- IFS Annual Conference
- Participation as Program Assistant in Level I, II or III Training
- Events with Richard Schwartz
- And any of the following events:
- IFS-I pre-approved advanced workshops taught by certified therapists or practitioners
- Priority listing in the IFS Institute Directory
- Authorization to call yourself a Certified IFS Therapist or Certified IFS Practitioner on business cards, brochures, biographical sketches, resumes, resumes, etc.
- You can request to be reviewed for advanced IFS programming to earn IFS Continuing Education Credits for recertification.
- Certain rights and responsibilities of use of IFS Intellectual Property within the framework of IFS-I policies and with respect to 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 progressing towards the Trainer Track.
Video and live session review fee: €200 for a session of up to 60 minutes (adapted proportionately if longer than 60 minutes), plus certification reviewer travel costs (if applicable) payable for each session reviewed and directly to the certification reviewer.
This IFS Certification Policy will come into force on May 1, 2023.
The new rates for Certification Reviewers will go 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 in which individuals who have previously purchased a Certification package and have already begun the Certification process will be able to complete the process. with the previous package although the new clarification of the Certification Practitioner definition and the new certification video review rates remain applicable. For those who have already purchased the previous package, you can find the previous Certification Policy and all relevant transition information HERE.
Any Certification request submitted after 1 year (after May 1, 2024) must meet all requirements of the updated policy to be approved.