Terms of Use for IFS™ Credentials, Designations, and Badges
Trainings, workshops, retreats, and other educational programming
INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS™ is an experiential model of psychotherapy developed by Dr. Richard C Schwartz.
The IFS Institute™ believes that completion of IFS™ Level 1 training provides the minimum training and experience necessary to practice INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS™ therapy in a clinical setting. While IFS™ Level 1 is the minimum training and experience necessary, we encourage any professional using IFS™ in their professional practice to continue to study the method to enhance their skills and understanding of the method.
The IFS Institute™ also offers Level 2 and Level 3 trainings to those who have completed Level 1 training.
Only the IFS Institute™ or its affiliated IFS™ International Partners may offer training in INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS™ and such training may only be provided by a credentialed IFS™ Trainer.
The IFS Institute™ defines “training” as an educational offering that provides education, experience, familiarity, and/or practice in INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS™, which purports to be comprehensive or otherwise advertises or implies that a therapist or practitioner will be competent and able to use the IFS™ model in a professional setting upon completion. Any program that offers “certification” in IFS™ or in any application of IFS™ or that offers the possibility of any such “certification” is considered a training for the purposes of this policy.
Use of any IFS™ credential or designation, including IFS™ Certified Therapist, IFS™ Certified Practitioner, IFS™ Approved Clinical Consultant, IFS™ Trainer, IFS™ Trained, or IFS™ Informed, in connection with or to imply qualification to offer any training and/or certification program not offered by the IFS Institute™ as defined above is prohibited and may result in forfeiture or revocation of an individual’s credential or designation.
Other programming, such as presentations, workshops, and retreats may be offered by and participated in by IFS™ credential holders, including IFS™ Trainers, IFS™ Approved Clinical Consultants, and IFS™ Certified Therapists/Practitioners; provided that, such programming is clearly not a training as defined above, and is in accordance with all IFS Institute™ policies and procedures.
Violation of this policy may result in revocation or forfeiture of IFS™ credentials, badges, and designations, and removal from the IFS™ Directory. The IFS Institute™ further reserves the right to revoke or withdraw credentials and corresponding badges at its discretion when necessary to uphold the integrity of the IFS™ model and to protect the interests of the IFS Institute™ and the IFS™ global community.
Definitions
IFS™ Certified Therapist
This is a credential for a therapist who:
Has earned a master's degree in a human services field or any other appropriate mental health degree as defined by their country of practice, and
Is licensed, registered and/or certified for clinical practice in their country of residence; and
Has successfully completed the IFS Institute™ requirements to become an IFS™ Certified Therapist.
IFS™ Certified Practitioner
This is a credential for a practitioner who:
Is registered or certified within their own field of practice and operating within that scope of practice. Professional scope of practice is determined by the individual’s professional background prior to IFS™ certification; and
Has successfully completed the IFS Institute™ requirements to become an IFS™ Certified Practitioner.
IFS™ Approved Clinical Consultant
This is a credential for an IFS™ Certified Therapist who:
Has been approved by the IFS Institute™ to provide consultation to clinicians trained by the IFS Institute™ who are working towards IFS™ Certification; and
Has successfully completed the requirements to become an IFS™ Approved Clinical Consultant.
IFS™ Trainer
This is a credential for IFS™ Trainers approved by the IFS Institute™ to join the IFS Trainer Career Path (Assistant Trainer and higher). Only an approved IFS™ Trainer may offer official IFS™ Training that is recognized by the IFS Institute™, consisting of IFS™ Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Trainings.
IFS™ International Partner
This is a designation for international organizations or individuals who are affiliated with the IFS Institute™ and authorized to organize IFS™ training programs on an exclusive basis in a given territory pursuant to their contractual agreements with the IFS Institute™ and in accordance with the standards and policies of the IFS Institute™.
IFS™ Trained Therapist or Practitioner
This is a designation for a clinician or practitioner who has received a Certificate of Completion for an IFS™ Level 1 training. They may incorporate INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS™ (IFS™) in their practice, within their scope of practice. If a therapist, they can offer INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS™ therapy or (IFS™) therapy. Learn more here: https://info.ifs-institute.com/ifsi-help-center/help-center/learning-streams
IFS™ Informed Therapist or Practitioner
This is a designation for a clinician or practitioner who has attended or participated in educational offerings from the IFS Institute™, such as the IFS™ Learning Hub programs and the annual IFS™ Conference, or an education provider approved and authorized by the IFS Institute. Learn more here: https://info.ifs-institute.com/ifsi-help-center/help-center/learning-streams
IFS™ Digital Badge Policy
IFS™ Digital Badges are issued for the following credentials: IFS™ Certified Therapists, IFS™ Certified Practitioners, IFS™ Approved Clinical Consultants, and IFS™ Trainers.
Digital badges provide credential holders with a visual representation of IFS™ qualifications, training, and certification achievements, which can be shared across various digital platforms and media channels.
Digital badge recipients are entitled to use their IFS™ Digital Badge if their IFS™ credential is active. If a credential holder allows their credential to expire, or if their credential is forfeited, revoked, or surrendered, that individual will no longer be permitted to use that badge or refer to themself as possessing that credential.
As a condition of use of any digital badge, credential holders agree to adhere to all IFS Institute™ Terms of Use, policies, and requirements, which may be updated and amended periodically. Failure to comply with IFS Institute™ Terms of Use, policies, and requirements may result in revocation of credentials, digital badges, and inclusion in the IFS™ Directory.