Course Description

This continuing education examines the intersection of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Attachment Theory as a framework for repairing relational wounds and fostering emotional regulation. Designed for behavioral health professionals, it explores how attachment injuries are internalized as protective and exiled parts, and how Self-led awareness restores balance and connection. Clinicians will learn evidence-informed IFS interventions—unblending, direct access, witnessing, and unburdening, to support clients with anxious, avoidant, and disorganized attachment systems. Recent findings on attachment flexibility, alliance quality, and polyvagal safety cues are integrated into applied techniques for assessment, pacing, and repair. The course emphasizes ethical practice, therapist Self-energy, and documentation for trauma-sensitive application. Through case studies and experiential reflection, participants gain practical skills to help clients internalize a secure base and develop compassionate relationships with their inner systems. This is an NBCC and Florida Board Approved course for three continuing education hours.

Please review the course materials prior to purchasing the course. Often, individuals will print a copy of the course worksheet to complete while they view the course material. Once you are ready to complete the course, please enroll in the course and complete the course requirements, including the course post-test and course survey. You will receive your certificate automatically for printing or downloading after achieving an 85% or higher on the post-test and completing the course survey. 

Internal Family Systems and Attachment Repair Course Text.pdf

Internal Family Systems and Attachment Repair Course Worksheet.pdf

Course Author:  Bryan Glazier, PhD, LMFT, LMHC,, FL Qualified MHC/MFT Supervisor 

Course Time/Location: 3 CE Hours, Location: www.directceu.com (web-based, asynchronous/home study) 

Course Text: Internal Family Systems and Attachment Repair

Course Board Approval Statement(s): NBCC, Florida Board Approved

Directceu, llc has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7411. directceu, llc maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

directceu, llc (BAP # 50-17578) is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling. directceu, llc maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

 Financial Disclosure Statement

directceu, llc is committed to providing our professional colleagues with unbiased information. directceu does not accept commercial support and our course authors have no significant financial interests or other conflicts of interest pertaining to the material.

Learning Objectives:

Through the completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the foundational principles of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Attachment Theory, and explain how these frameworks intersect in the context of relational healing.
  2. Identify common protector and exile roles that reflect insecure attachment patterns, including anxious, avoidant, and disorganized dynamics.
  3. Analyze internal polarizations and blended parts within clients’ systems to understand the function of competing attachment-driven defenses.
  4. Demonstrate strategies for working with attachment-related trauma using Self-energy as a co-regulatory and therapeutic force.
  5. Implement ethical and trauma-informed practices, including informed consent, boundary management, and documentation of parts work.

 

 

Course Syllabus:

Foundations of Attachment and IFS

  • Overview of attachment theory and system dynamics
  • Core concepts of IFS: Self, protectors, exiles, and burdens
  • Integrating attachment principles with parts work

Mapping Attachment-Related Parts

  • Identifying protector roles (pleaser, avoider, controller)
  • Recognizing exiles carrying unmet attachment needs
  • Clinical use of parts mapping and guided discovery

Polarizations and Internal Conflicts

  • Understanding anxious–avoidant internal polarities
  • Recognizing competing protectors and blending patterns
  • Strategies for unblending and restoring internal cooperation

Creating Safety and Building Trust

  • Establishing therapeutic safety through pacing and attunement
  • Therapist Self-energy as co-regulatory presence
  • Using direct access and witnessing for corrective experiences

Healing Anxious, Avoidant, and Disorganized Systems

  • Tailored interventions for each attachment style
  • Working with parts that fear both closeness and autonomy
  • Developing dual awareness and titration to prevent overwhelm

Unburdening and Integration

  • The process of witnessing and releasing burdens
  • Consolidating change through new relational experiences
  • Rituals and practices for sustaining Self-leadership

Ethical and Supervision Considerations

  • Informed consent and disclosure for experiential models
  • Boundaries and documentation in IFS-based treatment
  • Reflective supervision and therapist self-care