Course Description 

This 3 hour pre-recorded and self-paced workshop introduces Coherence Therapy and how it approaches the psychotherapeutic process to elicit the experiential steps of memory reconsolidation. Then it compares this process to IFS (Internal Family Systems), translating key concepts and applying Coherence Therapy to specific aspects of the IFS healing process. Unblending and differentiating parts from Self more fully, identifying their positive intentions and fears more precisely, and creating an ongoing organic and relational juxtaposition experience -- are discussed and then demonstrated in context via session videos.

Memory Reconsolidation

is the one and only form of neuroplasticity that allows an emotional learning or schema stored in long-term implicit memory to be actually erased, not just overridden and suppressed by learning a preferred response. Research has demonstrated the 'erasure' of implicit emotional learning using entirely experiential methods. Implicit memories are unconscious, automatic, reactive, habitual strategies that underlie many symptoms that people seek therapy to address.

Coherence Therapy

elicits the same experiential process: discovering & reactivating the symptom-generating emotional learning, discovering & concurrently activating an experience that contradicts the emotional schema (this concurrent activation of experiences is called a "juxtaposition experience" ); then repeating that juxtaposition experience, which serves as new learning that unlearns and rewrites the symptom-generating schema.

Internal Family Systems 

understands that Parts are the carriers of implicit memories, which are the behavior patterns, strategies, and reactions known in IFS as burdens. Coherence Therapy concepts can be incorporated into IFS to assist with unblending parts, fully differentiating Self, and precisely identifying the positive intentions and fears of parts. These enhancements support the healing process by setting up a juxtaposition experience, a key step in producing memory reconsolidation.

Course Objectives 


After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the two components of a juxtaposition experience.
  2. Discuss how these components compare to the IFS constructs of Self and Burdened Part.
  3. Identify the problem and solution aspects of a burdened part's fears and positive intentions.
  4. Explain how IFS retrieval can be construed as a juxtaposition.
  5. Explain how IFS unburdening can be construed as a juxtaposition.
  6. Describe at least one implicit juxtaposition in IFS.

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: Approved for 3.0 CE distance education through EMDRIA (EC provider #17025), 
  • IFS-I: Approved for 3.0 CE for IFS recertification.
  • 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.


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Target Audience

This course was created on 10/21/21 for mental health professionals familiar with IFS and interested in learning Coherence Therapy concepts which can enhance their application of IFS.

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


How long do I have access to the course?

You have access to this course for six months, even after you complete the course. After six months, you can purchase a monthly extension subscription for $15 per month by emailing emdrifs.com@gmail.com.

Are there any prerequisites for this course?

A good working understanding of IFS which you have integrated into your practice is needed. IFS Level One Training is recommended.

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.

Can I get IFS recertification CE's for this course?

Yes, when you apply for IFS recertification, send your CE certificate with your application to the IFS Institute.

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.


Agenda


The Coherent Self & System Lecture

The Coherent Self & System Part One (9:37)

The Coherent Self & System Part Two (9:18)

The Coherent Self & System Part Three (12:29)


Session Video: Getting Firm

Session Video Introduction (2:41)

Getting Firm 1 (10:11)

Getting Firm 2 (9:04)

Getting Firm 3 (9:28)


Session Video: Too Healthy for a Man

Session Video Introduction (1:48)

Too Healthy for a Man 1 (8:25)

Too Healthy for a Man 2 (8:30)

Too Healthy for a Man 3 (8:33)


Session Video: Crushed, Shattered and Shamed

Session Video Introduction (5:33)

Crushed, Shattered and Shamed 1 (9:12)

Crushed, Shattered and Shamed 2 (8:25)

Crushed, Shattered and Shamed 3 (8:54)


Session Video: Powerless to Heal

Session Video Introduction (1:44)

Powerless to Heal 1 (10:00)

Powerless to Heal 2 (9:57)


Session Video: Run Over

Session Video Introduction (2:00)

Run Over 1 (11:13)

Run Over 2 (10:32)

Run Over 3 (11:40)

Run Over 4 (9:45)


Total Time: 3 hours, 8 minutes, 59 seconds