Level 1 #1621
For qualified mental healthcare professionals; registered counsellors, social workers, occupational therapists, arts therapists, spsychosocial therapists and equivalent.
Module 1: 30 March to 4 April 2027
Bridge days: 6 & 7 May 2027
Module 2: 29 May to 3 June 2027
Overview
Training format
This training consists of two 6-day in-person modules, totaling 79.5 contact hours (39.75 hours per module), plus two bridge days via Zoom totaling 10 contact hours (5 hours per day).
The total number of contact hours for this training is 89.5.
Target audience
Mental healthcare professionals with a recognised qualification from the Dutch-language region. If places remain available, professionals with a comparable background from other countries are welcome.
The training provides an in-depth exploration of the IFS model and builds on existing professional knowledge, experience and qualifications.
View the admission requirements here.
Field of work
The materials and methods used in this training may include interventions that fall outside your own area of competence or professional field. As a professional, you are responsible for verifying your own competencies and applying what you have learned within the framework of your professional association and applicable laws and regulations.
Learning methods and objectives
The training consists of lectures, question-and-answer sessions, plenary discussions, demonstrations and experiential exercises.
You complete the experiential exercises in small groups of three participants. In practice sessions in which you take turns playing the roles of therapist, client and observer, you learn the model’s skills under the guidance of a program assistant.
The training will help you understand the conceptual foundations of the IFS model, apply IFS techniques, and make use of the opportunities IFS offers for your personal development.
Learning objectives
The learning objectives are listed on the IFS Institute website: Level 1 IFS Training Learning Objectives.
Language and Group Size
The training is delivered in English. Dutch may be spoken in the smaller groups if this works for everyone in the group. The manual and all accompanying appendices and forms are in English.
Speaking or understanding Dutch is not necessary.
Group size
The group consists of a maximum of 36 participants, supported by up to 12 program assistants (PAs), in a ratio of 3:1.
Location
The two in-person modules take place at Samaya in Werkhoven. A retreat and conference center located in the green heart of the province of Utrecht.
At Samaya, overnight stays (limited availability) are possible with breakfast and dinner. You can arrange a stay at Samaya yourself.
Coffee, tea, snacks, and lunch are included on training days.
There are also campsites, B&Bs and hotels available in the surrounding area, in Bunnik and Houten (approximately a 10–15 minute drive), with more options in Utrecht city centre.
Dates and times
Module 1 in Samaya: 30 March to 4 April 2027
Bridge days via Zoom: 6 & 7 May 2027
Module 2 in Samaya: 29 May to 3 June 2027
Program start: around 9 a.m.
Lunch break: one and a half hours
Short breaks halfway through the morning and afternoon.
End of programme: around 18:00
The exact times will be announced later and may vary slightly from day to day.
Study materials
A copy of the Internal Family Systems Level 1 Training Manual will be mailed to you before the training.
Other materials will be made available during the training and clearly compiled in a Google Drive folder.
Literature
Required reading in preparation for the training: Schwartz, R.C. & Sweezy, M. (2019). Internal Family Systems Therapy (2nd edition).
Recommended reading in preparation for the training: Schwartz, R.C. (2023). Introduction to Internal Family Systems. Boulder, CO: Sounds True Publishing, ISBN 978-1683643616.
NB: this is required reading for anyone who has no prior experience with the IFS model.
Recommended further reading: Anderson, F.G., Sweezy, M. & Schwartz, R.C. (2017). Internal Family Systems Skills Training Manual. PESI Publishing & Media, ISBN 978-1683730873.
Online days via Zoom
Please install or update Zoom well in advance of the start of the bridge days via the Zoom website.
We recommend using a desktop or laptop, or at least a device with a screen of that size. Mobile phones are not recommended. Please ensure you have a good microphone so that we can hear you clearly.
Training participants will receive the Zoom links shortly before the start of the bridge days.
To ensure the safety and confidentiality of all participants, we ask you to attend the training from a private space where you cannot be disturbed or overheard.
IFS Netherlands cannot provide technical support relating to your device, internet connection or Zoom account.
Marina is an IFS Institute Trainer, Certified IFS Therapist and Approved Consultant, with 25 years of experience working with individuals, couples and families, facilitating groups, and developing and leading workshops and courses for mental health professionals in Canada, Israel, Russia and other countries. Marina specialises in treating attachment trauma, PTSD, challenging relationships, life transitions and more.
Marina first encountered IFS in 2008, during her Couple and Family Therapy training at Tel Aviv University. She learned the model directly from its founder, Dr. Richard Schwartz, with whom she completed all levels. Over the past decade, she has been actively committed to the growth of IFS in Canada, Russia and Israel.
Having emigrated four times herself, Marina understands and cherishes multiculturalism and diversity, and knows from personal experience both the challenges and the richness of being different within a mainstream culture.
She lives in Israel with her two children and enjoys spending time with family and friends, nature, books, cultural events and more.
IFSI Co-lead Trainer
Marina Hazan
Marie Tierney, MA, MSc, is a recognised psychotherapist (IACP, BACP) based in Ireland, and an IFS Certified Therapist, IFS Approved Clinical Consultant, and IFS Institute Trainer. She provides IFS therapy, consultation, supervision and training.
With foundational training in humanistic, integrative and body-oriented psychotherapy, Marie specialises in supporting adults with childhood trauma and addiction processes. Her particular expertise lies in integrating IFS with Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA)/difficult family experiences and 12-step addiction recovery, as well as combining somatic, embodied approaches with IFS.
Marie is passionate about increasing access to IFS, both worldwide and in Ireland. As the founder of IFS Ireland, she builds community through workshops, retreats and gatherings throughout the country. She is also a certified EMDR therapist. Before training as a psychotherapist, Marie worked for many years as a hospital pharmacist. She lives in Galway, on Ireland’s west coast.
IFSI co-lead trainer
Marie Tierney
Certificate & attendance requirements
Participants who complete the training in full will receive a Certificate of Completion. To qualify, participants must attend at least 75 of the 89.5 training hours. No recordings or transcripts are available for missed training hours. Participants are responsible for attending enough training hours to obtain the certificate.
Upon completion of the Level 1 Training, you may call yourself “IFS Trained” (IFS™ Trained Therapist) and apply for Level 2 trainings.
IFS Certification
Please note: obtaining a certificate of participation is not the same as being IFS certified. IFS certification is a separate, in-depth pathway through which professionals can demonstrate their IFS skills. Go to IFS Institute Certification for details of the requirements and other important information.
IFS Institute Certification
Accreditation
Accreditation has been applied for with the relevant professional associations in the Netherlands. The outcome has not yet been determined, but we expect and hope that the training will qualify for recognition. We will post more information here as soon as it becomes available.
Costs
The cost of the training is € 5,370. This amount consists of the training fee of € 4,950 set by the IFS Institute, plus € 420 for coffee/tea/fruit/lunch during the training days at Samaya.
The English-language IFS Institute Level 1 Training Manual is included. Due to Samaya's conditions, it is not possible to opt out of coffee, tea, fruit, and lunch.
Costs and conditions
Payment terms
To reserve your place, a deposit of € 750 is required, payable within 14 days of receiving notification that a place is available for you on the training. The remaining amount (€ 4.620) must be paid by 15 January 2027 at the latest.
Cancellation policy
If, for any reason, you have to or wish to withdraw from participation before 15 January 2027, the full amount minus the non-refundable deposit will be refunded, i.e. € 4,620.
If, for any reason, you have to or wish to withdraw from participation on or after 15 January 2027, the full amount remains payable and no refund will be given.
It is not possible to transfer your place in the training to someone else. We recommend taking out cancellation insurance.
Terms and conditions
Participants agree to the guidelines described in the general terms and conditions regarding admission requirements, safety and confidentiality, the policy on rejecting applications, and the code of conduct.
Registration procedure and placement L1 #1621
Registration period
From 15 October to 15 November 2026, you can register via a registration form that will be available from 15 October.
Placement
Places are allocated to applicants who meet the admission requirements, with priority given to candidates from the Dutch-speaking region.
If there are more than 36 candidates from the Dutch-speaking region, a draw will determine who is offered a place. Candidates from a traditionally marginalised community will be given priority, in line with our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Those who are not selected by ballot will be placed on the waiting list.
If there are fewer than 36 candidates from the Dutch-speaking region, we will supplement the group with candidates from other countries or regions with a similar background.
If the group is still not full, we will extend the application period. If you are not selected by lottery, you will be placed on the waiting list.
If a place becomes available, a draw will determine who from the waiting list is contacted.
