This module will explore the integration of Art Therapy principles, Neimeyer’s Meaning Reconstruction approach to grief and Schwartz’s Internal Family System therapy model (IFS).  The goal of IFS is to build internal cooperation and increase “Self-Leadership” using the eight “C’s” of internal resources, such as curiosity, compassion, courage, and creativity.  An introductory video will illustrate IFS concepts, and case material will demonstrate how the presenters have integrated trauma-sensitive therapeutic art-making with IFS and with Neimeyer’s Meaning Reconstruction in effectively treating grief, trauma and loss.  Art Therapy theory, especially influenced by Jung, weaves intuitively into both the IFS and grief process. 

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The later part of this module will allow learners to explore their own internal “parts” and discover the “Self” energy in response to trauma and loss, especially in this pandemic era, using a brief somatic meditation that leads to clay sculptures of found and felt parts (Mazero & Kolodny, 2016).  The tactile and dimensional qualities of clay are responsive to our primary sense of touch, inviting embodied emotions, stored somatic memories and relational spacing.  Quiet time will be provided during art-making to practice dialoging between parts that will foster somatic understanding of the taught concepts.  Art-based IFS processing questions will be provided (Kolodny, 2019).  Learners will have the opportunity to discuss their art process in small groups.

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Define three or more basic principles of the IFS model of treatment that can be applied to the clinician’s current therapeutic approaches, with a grief and trauma focus;

• Clarify three or more ways that IFS, Art Therapy and Meaning Reconstruction complement each other to promote sense-making, transformation and healing of loss and trauma;

• Identify the three types of Parts, defining several examples of roles they each utilize within the internal family system with an emphasis on their response to loss and trauma; and

• Describe three ways IFS informed clay-making is used to identify parts and their relationship to each other, fostering unblending and increasing self-compassion for both the clinician and the client.

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​Note:  Completion of this program and return of the Responsive Journal satisfies 1 Technique Module required for Certification in Grief Therapy as Meaning Reconstruction or Certification in Art-Assisted Grief Therapy.

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PROGRAM CONTENT

This program contains the following video segments:

1. Parts, Legacy Burdens and the C’s of Self: An Introduction to IFS (35 mins)

2. Trauma and Loss In Art-Assisted Therapy: The Integration of IFS and Meaning Reconstruction (35 mins)

3. Sculpting the Internal Family System: A Clay Making Directive (15 mins)

4. Our Sculptures, Ourselves: Group Processing and Personal Learning (27 mins)

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COURSE PACK CONTAINS...

• A PDF copy of the presentation slides​;

• List of art supplies and other art-making prompts;

• IFS focused Clay-Making Guidelines and processing questions; and

• The Responsive Journal that, upon completion and return, confers 1 credit of Technique Module leading to Certification in Grief Therapy as Meaning Reconstruction or Certification in Art-Assisted Grief Therapy.