Defending the Internal Family: A Catholic Approach to Internal Family Systems and Ego State Therapy

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Description: 
As an experienced clinician who uses Internal Family Systems, Ego State Therapy, EMDR, and Clinical Hypnosis, I often receive philosophical and theological questions about whether these approaches are consistent with the Catholic faith. In this presentation we will explore how Parts Work can be understood and applied in a way that is consistent with both Scripture and the writings of many saints including St. Gregory of Nyssa, St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Maximus the Confessor, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Teresa of Avila. We will also show how this faith integration can be used ethically and effectively with Catholic clients.

Category of Education: D1.3 Practice/Education/Research

Intended Audience: 

• Students
• Psychologists
• Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors
• Clergy/Religious
• Medical professionals, M.D., P.A., Nurses

Content Learning Level: Intermediate

Learning Objectives:

• Debate and discuss the controversies that exist in using parts work (IFS and EST) with Catholic populations
• Identify and describe three ways in which a parts work approach can be reconciled with the Catholic faith and even enhance our understanding of the faith
• Describe specific ways in which an integration of the Catholic faith with parts work can be integrated into an ethical and effective clinical setting