Internal family systems (IFS) therapy: An experiential introduction and working with protector parts

Internal family systems (IFS) therapy: An experiential introduction and working with protector parts

Presented by SickKids CCMH Learning Institute

Dates: July 6 and 8, 2026

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET

Facilitator: Cleo Haber, BSW, MSW, RSW

CE hours: 12

Client age category: For professionals who work with clients aged 16 years to adulthood.

Description: This comprehensive two-day workshop offers a structured and experiential introduction to internal family systems (IFS) therapy, followed by an in-depth focus on working with protector parts.

• Day 1 provides a foundational understanding of the IFS model, including core concepts, the structure of an IFS session, and opportunities to engage in experiential exercises to build a felt sense of working with parts. 
• Day 2 builds on this foundation, supporting participants in deepening their clinical skills with a focused exploration of protector parts—learning how to engage with defenses, facilitate un-blending, and work toward transforming protectors into allies in the healing process.

Across both days, participants will benefit from a combination of didactic teaching, experiential practice, and live demonstrations, supporting the integration of IFS principles into clinical work. This workshop is designed to help clinicians move from foundational knowledge to more confident and skillful application of the model in practice.

"This workshop is both personal and professional: explore your own inner parts as the most powerful way to learn the IFS model and apply it with clients.  You will learn how to help your clients’ parts un-blend, identifying protectors and accessing Self-energy as a pathway towards healing.” _ Cleo Haber.

Registration fee: General - $600  |  Student and group rates are available

For full program overview and registration details please visit: https://cvent.me/30Xy5K 

Facilitator Bio:  Cleo Haber, BSW, MSW, RSW

Cleo has over 20 years of experience working as a social worker. She is the owner and founder of North Star Therapy, a virtual private practice in Ontario. During her career, she has worked in a variety of settings including community-based organizations and hospital and health care settings.

Cleo started her career working in addictions then moved into working with at-risk children and families; and for over a decade, she focused her work on mental health. Cleo has grown and developed a clinical practice that is rooted in the philosophy that everyone has the innate capacity to heal. She in an IFS-informed therapist and works primarily through an attachment-based and trauma-informed lens, using a multi-modal approach to care. She provides individual psychotherapy, clinical consultation and supervision for mental health professionals,  in addition to teaching workshops and professional development training. 

Continuing Education (CE) information: 12 CE hours

SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Learning Institute is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) to offer continuing education (CE) hours. The number of eligible CE hours are outlined within each program. SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Learning Institute maintains responsibility for the programs.

Other licensing boards and professional organizations will grant continuing education credits for attendance at their own discretion; participants will need to submit the course outline and Certificate of Participation for their consideration.

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