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The IFS Flip Chart: A psychoeducational tool for unlocking the incredible healing potential of the multiple mind. Wonderfully Helpful Tool for IFS Therapists. This flip chart covers everything needed for IFS therapists to show our clients how internal family systems therapy can help them. The layout is informative and streamlined, and manages to cover everything that we might need to explain when working with clients who struggle with all kinds of symptoms - anxiety, depression, addictions, OCD, physical illnesses and eating disorders. It also covers using IFS for legacy burdens, attachment trauma, and severe trauma. I have found that when I need clear and concise language to educate my clients on what they are experiencing within, this flip chart is where I turn! Colleen West has given us an incredibly valuable tool! -LMFT
The IFS Flip Chart: A psychoeducational tool for unlocking the incredible healing potential of the multiple mind. (Amazon) Great for Introducing Concepts. I got a couple flip charts to use in therapy sessions. They are great to help clients understand the treatment, introduce some basic terms and ideas and lay groundwork for further diving in. The visuals are nice because I try to be paper-less in my practice because most people don’t want handouts, but we can still take a few notes together off of the info. As expected, the books only cover so much so more in depth materials for interventions are needed but these are a perfect starting point. -Clinician
We All Have Parts! As a licensed mental health counselor I found This book amazing. It looks like a kids book, but it is incredibly useful as a therapeutic tool to clients. The book conveys the message in simple terms and pictures. -Clinician
We All Have Parts! I have been working through my C-PTSD with my therapist for 10 years now. I have had such a hard time understanding IFS and all of the books I’ve read confuse me further. This book is amazing! It explains everything so well! -Reader
The only caveat I’d add is that personally I don’t think you should attempt to tackle IFS without a therapist it can get scary in there without guidance!
Streamable Classes I have taken multiple trainings offered by Colleen and in every one I learned ways to work that I use every day with clients, particularly with trauma, but also with many other conditions. Not only are the trainings very helpful, but they are enjoyable! Don’t miss the chance to learn from this creative, warm, and natural teacher. -LMFT
We All Have Parts! This book is to a modern human being's emotional/psychological self what an automotive manual is to a car. If you find yourself or others around you being emotionally reactive or emotionally shut off in ways that don't make any sense or that are happening in your family one generation after another, then this book is for you. Every time I show it to someone they end up buying themselves a copy and thanking me months later for introducing them to it. The same information is in many longer books, but this is a very concise overview with great illustrations, and once I had this particular book to share with others it began to have a huge positive impact on every group I belong to. This book is worth ten times it's weight in gold. Every human being should own a copy of this book. -Reader
Colleen’s Master Class was the best training I have ever taken. I keep telling my colleagues to take it, because as an IFS therapist who sees a lot of complex trauma, it was a game-changer for me. -LCSW
We All Have Parts! Complex Concepts Distilled in its Most Simple Form. Really appreciate this book and the author for taking the basic concepts of IFS and making them feel so approachable. This visual aid (in the form of cartoons) is great too. I have used this to help both friends and clients. I HIGHLY recommend it as an introduction or compliment to other books like No Bad Parts. -Reader
We All Have Parts! I got this book on advice from my therapist. It was my first introduction to IFS and I am so grateful for the coping skills and emotional work this book emphasizes. It revolutionized the way that I look at myself and in particular the parts of myself I dislike.
Without going into details about my trauma, I'd say my main takeaways from this book were:
- All parts of ourselves exist for a reason.
- No part is inherently bad or wrong, we just need to learn how to soothe and work with it, instead of against it and letting the part take the driver's seat.
- Self-compassion can be very difficult, but with it you can learn to live a happier, lighter, and more fulfilled life.
I highly recommend this book. If you're on the fence- buy it. -Client
We All Have Parts! I received your book and I love it! I love the way you illustrated and described the trauma framework and have parts fit in. I work with children under 10 who have experienced significant relational or medical trauma and as I read the book I was imagining ways to adapt the information for the Littles. I love your monsters! I decided that I wanted to create them in a playful way to help children understand these protective parts of themselves. I found these darling little monster party decorations online and have named each of them after one of the defense states. I’m going to add them to popsicle sticks and help children playfully learn about these. On the back, I included some of the behaviors or qualities that you include in your book. I wanted to say thank you for such a wonderful resource and I look forward to recommending your book to adults and adapting your darling concepts for kids.
Amazing Course-Master Class. I took Colleen's course in 2020 at the same time I was also completing my EMDRIA Approved Consultant in training work. Her intense course really dug deep into trauma theory and working with traumatized clients. I feel like it has helped me grow so much as a trauma therapist and as a consultant. Colleen has a great way of helping you pull all the pieces of the theories together and bring them into your real life practice. I would highly recommend this course. —Cathy H
Master Class: It’s all parts work. I have participated in Colleen's group for the past year and have learned so much, bringing my therapeutic knowledge and skills to a new level. Working with clients who have severe trauma histories and symptoms, I now have a very effective, clear and confident approach to helping them heal. Colleen creates a collegial, interesting and fun environment to learn. Highly recommend this! —J. Parlette, LMFT
Master Class: It’s all parts work! I learned so much from Colleen's training! As a therapist who specializes in trauma, I now feel much more confident in assessing and treating clients with complex PTSD and Structural Dissociation. Colleen's training help me better understand when to use EMDR, how to use IFS and how to combine them for super effective trauma processing. Colleen is warm and supportive. She creates a fun environment for learning and trying out new skills. Being part of Colleen's training has connected me to a community of extremely knowledgeable and talented trauma therapists. I highly recommend this training!
—Jennifer Loyer, LMFT
Master Class: It’s all parts work! Colleen leads a compelling discussion each month on the top rated trauma topics that therapists need to know. The readings are excellent and anchor the monthly discussions. Colleen is gentle, kind and smart and can move the discussions in such a way that everyone has the chance to participate and learn. I highly recommend Colleen’s training group!
—Tammie Grant, LMFT
Master Class: It’s all parts work! If you can join one of Colleen West's groups, do it. I have been in two consultation groups with Colleen now for many years. My practice is full. I feel confident in my work as a therapist, and it has everything to do with my work with Colleen. Working with Colleen is fulfilling, fun and deeply impactful. She draws to her wonderful clinicians, both of the groups I'm in are wonderfully satisfying in every way. And a major bonus is that I now have many colleagues and we all refer to each other.
—Stef Coleman, LMFT
Year-long Complex Trauma Training Since joining Colleen’s trauma informed training group last year, my skill level and confidence in working with trauma survivors and those suffering with complex PTSD has grown significantly. She has a gift for teaching in a warm, open style that invites everyone to learn and participate in a safe, comfortable space. Especially valuable was Colleen’s integration of Structural Dissociation, Internal Family Systems, and EMDR, which included related reading to enhance the learning process. I’ve gotten so much out of this training,my clients have benefited, and I now have a wealth of trauma informed colleagues to learn and grow with. If you’re interested in doing trauma work, this is the training to take!
—Patti Boro, LMFT
Master Class “This training has deepened my understanding of trauma and dissociation and understanding of how so many of the different approaches are really mostly aligned but just using different terminology. I got something that is hard to describe, but watching Colleen’s intuition/judgment and her wording in the IFS demos was very helpful. Having the passionate energy of a group of like-minded therapists who strive to be their best selves and best therapists was like a bright light shining through in 2020. Something about “being” and “becoming” stands out. Thank-you for leading a wonderful group and sharing your wisdom. I’m looking forward to continuing in next year’s group. Having it back in person for some part of it, hopefully, will be even better!”
—P. D., LMFT
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