Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy Part 2: Working with Protector Parts

Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy Part 2: Working with Protector Parts

Presented by SickKids CCMH Learning Institute

Date: January 23, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET
Facilitator: Cleo Haber, BSW, MSW, RSW.

Description: Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is one of the most popular and effective evidence-based approaches used today.  This workshop is a follow up to “IFS: An Experiential Introduction to the Model” and is designed for participants who have an understanding and some experience with this modality.  The workshop will provide more in-depth teaching on how to work with protector parts and how to skillfully work with your client’s defenses and turn their protector parts into allies in the healing process.

It will consist of didactic teaching, experiential exercises and a live demonstration.  We will review the basic structure of an IFS session, focusing on how to facilitate the Self-to-Part connection, finding a target part, checking for Self-energy, facilitating connection and working with protective parts’ concerns. Participants will learn how to engage with protective parts, strategies to help these parts un-blend, use of implicit and explicit direct access, as well as work with polarizations. This workshop serves to deepen participants’ skills in working with protector parts, which is a critical first step before addressing any deeper emotional wounds.  

Participants will watch a live demonstration session and have a chance to break out into small groups to practice the interventions. There will be ample time for questions and discussion. 

Learning objectives:

• Gain a deeper understanding of the role protector parts play in your clients’ system.
• Learn strategies for working with protector parts.
• Participate in experiential exercises to practice working with protector parts.
• Gain more tools to work with clients informed by this model.

Registration fee: General - $300  |  Student - $270

For full program overview and registration details please visit: https://cvent.me/A42MO1

Facilitator Bio:
Cleo Haber, BSW, MSW, RSW, 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: 6 CE hours