**Important Update on the Level 1 Admission Process**
Admission to IFS Level 1 Trainings in the United States and Canada is now limited to those who are already qualified and legally credentialed to work in a mental health profession. This policy aligns with the specific learning objectives and professional standards required for clinical practice using the IFS model. Read more about our Level 1 Admissions changes here: https://ifs-institute.com/trainings/level-1-admissions
Since Level 1 completion is the first step towards IFS Certification, this admission change will impact an individual's ability to pursue IFS Certification. Folks who have already completed a Level 1 Training are legacied into the previous pathways shared below.
We do hope to continue to bring IFS to different professional communities. The IFS Institute is developing new educational programs to better serve professionals from various disciplines. Our Online Circle and Continuity programs will remain open to those wishing to apply an IFS lens to their work, and we are excited to introduce new offerings such as the IFS Foundations for Coaches program which began its pilot cohort in Fall 2024.
FAQ
The Certification process was fully updated on May 2023 and the transitory provision concluded on May 2024. All Certification Candidates should now be using the fully online application hosted on Submittable.
If you haven't yet received the online application, you can reach out to [email protected] after completion of a Level 1 Training to establish yourself as a Certification Candidate.
View the current Certification Policy here: https://ifs-institute.com/trainings/ifs-certification/ifs-certification-policy
LEGACIED OR INTERNATIONAL PRACTITIONERS (Completed a Level 1 Training prior to 2024 Admissions Changes if based in US / Canada)
What do the requirements for the Practitioner Designation mean?
The professional scope of practice language addition to the Practitioner designation is based on your legal professional scope of practice which is determined by the laws in your jurisdiction and not by the IFS Institute. The IFS Institute is not a licensing body or a regulatory board and cannot determine or alter the laws for the practice of psychotherapy in your jurisdiction.
It's important that individuals have appropriate training in an avenue that contains its own professional scope of practice including an ethical code and a formal complaint process for clients in order to understand the parameters of where their work can begin and end and to provide accountability and community protection while the model grows at an exponential speed.
You still do not have to pursue licensure to become Certified if you've already completed a Level 1 Training.
We have maintained access for health allied professionals through the Practitioner designation.
Some examples of coaching programs that would meet IFS Certification requirements as they have ethical codes and formal complaint bodies include: International Coaching Federation, Association for Coaching, International Association of Trauma Recovery Coaching, etc. (There are many others!) Please reach out to [email protected] around eligibility questions for practitioners.
Do I have to become ICF accredited to become a Certified Practitioner now?
No. Some other programs that would meet IFS Certification requirements as they have ethical codes and formal complaint bodies include: Association for Coaching, International Association of Trauma Recovery Coaching, WABC, etc. (There are many others!) Please reach out to [email protected] around eligibility questions for practitioners.
What are the Terms of Use for the IFS™ Certified credentials?
Please refer to the IFS Institute™ Terms of Use and Definitions for IFS™ Credentials, Designations, and Digital Badges for more information.
THERAPISTS
Can I be a Certified IFS Therapist without a Masters degree if there are other standards in my country of practice that I meet?
YES! We're very excited about this change. We had a lot of International representation on the committee and many of our decisions were based on changing the language to be more globally applicable.