3.0 CE course

Certificates are emailed immediately upon completion of course evaluation.

Description

This 3 hour course is designed to introduce EMDR therapists to the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. IFS is rapidly transforming the practices of many psychotherapists, including EMDR therapists, due to its universality, elegance, effectiveness, and intuitively natural appeal. It is an ego state model that applies to both the client and the therapist, and relies upon the organic development of a healing process through eliciting the healing energy of everyone's inner Self. It normalizes the formation of a protective system of inner parts which self-organize into Protectors (defenses) and Exiles (trauma parts).

This course, in Powerpoint lectures, will point out some of the major concerns about the use of EMDR with complex clients, the need to supplement EMDR with an Ego State model,discuss the unique advantages of IFS as an Ego State model, thoroughly describe the essential concepts of the model, and introduce its use in all eight phases of the EMDR Standard Protocol.

The workshop will demonstrate the organic process of IFS through ample session video clips, as well as how this approach can be infused into the 8 phases of EMDR. This will prepare learners for further elaboration of the integration of IFS and EMDR in the 6 hour EMDRIFS.com course; IFS-Informed EMDR: The Internal Family Systems Interweave.

Program Outline

  • Presents EMDR concerns that call for coupling with an Ego State model.
  • Describes the unique advantages of IFS as an Ego State model. 
  • Explains all the basic concepts and demonstrates the process of IFS therapy.
  • Discusses similarities and differences between EMDR & IFS.
  • Discusses and demonstrates the use of IFS in all 8 phases of EMDR.

Learning Objectives 


After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:

  1. Name two unique features of IFS as an Ego State Therapy. 
  2. Name and describe three types of parts. 
  3. Explain the purpose of the "How do you feel toward the part?" question. 
  4. Define the concept of Burdens.
  5. Describe the process of Retrieval.
  6. Describe the process of Unburdening.

Your Instructor

Bruce Hersey, LCSW, is an Approved Consultant in EMDR and also a Certified IFS Therapist & Consultant.

Having completed IFS Levels I, II & III Training, and as a repeat Level One Program Assistant, he has passionately imparted his deep understanding of the model by teaching numerous introductory IFS workshops, leading IFS consultation groups, and providing individual IFS consultation.

He has presented at the IFS International Conference several times, and has been teaching workshops on the integration of EMDR & IFS since 2013.

Additionally, Bruce has extensive experience in Clinical Hypnosis & Sex Therapy.

Continuing Education Information


  • EMDRIA: (EC provider #17025): emdrifs.com, LLC is an approved EMDRIA training provider and this workshop is approved for 3.0 EMDRIA CE.
  • IFS-Institute: this workshop is approved for 3.0 IFS Institute recertification credits.
  • NY SW Board: emdrifs.com LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0740.
  • NY MFT Board: emdrifs.com LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0116.
  • NY MHC Board: emdrifs.com LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0278.
  • NY PSY Board: emdrifs.com LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0230. Approved for 3.0 Psychology CE Contact Hours.
  • NBCC: emdrifs.com, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7432. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. emdrifs.com, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 
  • ASWB ACE: emdrifs.com, LLC, #249 is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 10/6/2026 -10/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3.0 clinical continuing education credits.


Target Audience

This course was created on 9/27/2019 for mental health professionals who are trained in EMDR and interested in learning IFS as a way to deliver EMDR to their clients more safely and effectively.

Completion Requirements

Attendees must complete the entire course, post test and evaluation to receive credit.

A score of 75% or better is required to pass and gain access to your completion certificate. You may retake the test once, after which you must contact the administrator for further guidance.

Accommodations for the Differently Abled

This workshop is held in a facility and/or delivered in a manner that is in compliance with the Americans Disabilities Act. Please contact emdrifs.com@gmail.com if special accommodation is required.

Cancellation Policy

Once you have registered and paid for this course you have six months to complete it. After six months, a monthly extension subscription may be purchased. Cancellations or extensions may be requested if there are extenuating circumstances disabling the student from taking the course for the entire six months. Requests may be initiated by emailing emdrifs.com@gmail.com or calling 814-944-3852.

Grievance Policy

All grievances must be in writing to emdrifs.com@gmail.com, and will be replied to within 5 - 10 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?

The course starts when you register, and you have have six months to complete it.

How long do I have access to the course?

You will also have access to this course for the same six months, starting on your enrollment date, even after completion. After six months you can purchase a monthly extension subscription if you wish.

Are there any prerequisites for this course?

You are expected to have completed EMDR basic training.

How do I contact the school owner?

The owner/operator of emdrifs.com can be reached by email at emdrifs.com@gmail.com or -1-814-944-3852.


Workshop Registration Fee

Taxes may be automatically applied during checkout:

European Union Value Added Tax: (VAT) is charged on purchases made by consumers in the EU. VAT applies to any merchant selling a product or service (including digital products like an online course) to a consumer based in Europe. In general, the location of the merchant doesn't matter—it is the location of the consumer that determines whether or not VAT should be applied.

U.S. State Sales Tax: Teachable will automatically calculate, collect and remit U.S. (state) sales tax on the sales of emdrifs.com courses to the relevant state authorities, where applicable. This includes New Jersey, where emdrifs.com is based.

Bibliography (References):


Ally, D., Tobiasz-Veltz, L., Tu, K., Comeau, A., Bumpus, C., Blot, T., Rice, F. K., Orr, B., Soumerai Rea, H., Sweezy, M., & Schuman-Olivier, Z. (2025). A pilot study of an online group-based Internal Family Systems intervention for comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use. Frontiers in Psychiatry, Volume 16-2025. 

Anderson, F.G. (2021). Transcending trauma: Healing Complex PTSD With Internal Family Systems. Claire, WI: PESI Publishing.

Comeau, A., Smith, L. J., Smith, L., Soumerai Rea, H., Ward, M. C., Creedon, T. B., Sweezy, M., Rosenberg, L. G., & Schuman-Olivier, Z. (2024). Online group-based internal family systems treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder: Feasibility and acceptability of the program for alleviating and resolving trauma and stress. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 16(Suppl 3), S636–S640. 

Ecker, B. (2024). A proposal for the unification of psychotherapeutic action understood as memory modification processes. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 34(3), 291–314.

Ecker, B., Ticic, R., & Hulley, L. (2024). Unlocking the Emotional Brain: Memory Reconsolidation and the Psychotherapy of Transformational Change (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Ecker, B., Bridges, S.K. (2020) How the Science of Memory Reconsolidation Advances the Effectiveness and Unification of Psychotherapy. Clin Soc Work J 48, 287–300. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-020-00754-z

Every-Palmer, S., et al. (2024). EMDR vs. usual treatment for PTSD in adults with psychosis: A randomized controlled trial. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 16(Suppl 3), S555–S560. 

Fatter, D. (2026). Integrating internal family systems (IFS) into EMDR therapy: The step-by-step guide to complex trauma recovery. PESI Publishing, Inc. 

Gomez, A. M. & Krause, P. K. (2013). EMDR Therapy and the Use of Internal Family Systems Strategies With Children, In A. M. Gomez, (Ed.), EMDR Therapy and Adjunct Approaches with Children (pp. 299–345). New York, NY: Springer publishing.

Hafkemeijer, L., Hofman, S., de Jongh, A., de Roos, D., van Velzen, M., Starrenburg, A., & Slotema, K. (2025). The effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy on post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and diagnostic status in patients with a personality disorder: A randomized controlled trial. *Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 94*(6), 453–??. 

Hart, K. (2025). Treating trauma with EMDR and IFS: A clinician's guide to integrating eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy with internal family systems. New Harbinger Publications.

Hersey, B. (2025) Syzygy: Alignment of IFS, EMDR and Memory Reconsolidation. In Polidi, D. (Ed.), IFS-Informed EMDR: Creative and Collaborative Approaches (1st ed.), (pp.. 63-77). Routledge. 

Hodgdon, H. B.; Anderson, F. G.; Southwell, E.; Hrubec, W.; Schwartz, R. C. (2022) Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among Survivors of Multiple Childhood Trauma: A Pilot Effectiveness Study. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma. Jan2022, Vol. 31 Issue 1, p22-43. 22p. 1 Diagram, 1 Chart, 1 Graph. DOI: 10.1080/10926771.2021.2013375.

Knipe, J. (2019). EMDR Toolbox, Second Edition: Theory and Treatment of Complex PTSD and Dissociation. Springer Publishing Company. 

Kredler, V. (2023) How does Internal Family Systems therapy lead to transformational change through memory reconsolidation? Counselling Australia, Autumn Volume 24 (2) (26-36).

Lawrence, M. (1998) EMDR as a special form of ego state psychotherapy: Part 1. EMDRIA Newsletter, 3:4. 

Lawrence, M. (1999) EMDR as a special form of ego state psychotherapy: Part 2. EMDRIA Newsletter, 4:1. 

Neff, K. D. (2003). The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity, 2(3), 223–250. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309027

O’Shea Brown, G. (2021) Internal Family Systems Informed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: An Integrative Technique for Treatment of Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorders. International Body Psychotherapy Journal The Art and Science of Somatic Praxis. Volume 19, Number 2, Fall/Winter 2020/2021, pp. 112-122

Poli, A., Gemignani, A., & Miccoli, M. (2022). Randomized Trial on the Effects of a Group EMDR Intervention on Narrative Complexity and Specificity of Autobiographical Memories: A Path Analytic and Supervised Machine-Learning Study. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(13), 7684. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137684

Richardson, M. (2025) Phase 2.5 Discovery: Working with Blended Protectors. In Polidi, D. (Ed.), IFS-Informed EMDR: Creative and Collaborative Approaches (1st ed.), (pp.. 78-92). Routledge.

Schwartz, R. C. (2021). No bad parts: Healing trauma and restoring wholeness with the Internal Family Systems model.Sounds True.

Schwartz, R.C. & Sweezy, M. (2021). Internal Family Systems Therapy (2nd ed.). New York NY: Guilford Press.

Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Basic principles, protocols and procedures (3rd ed.) New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Tsai, C. S., & Chang, H. J. (2024). EMDR efficacy for depression: A meta-analysis and meta-regression. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(18), 5633.

Twombly, J. H., & Schwartz, R. C. (2008). The integration of internal family systems model and EMDR. In C. Forgash & M. Copeley (Eds.), Healing the heart of trauma and dissociation with EMDR and ego state therapy (pp. 295–311). New York, NY: Springer publishing.