The creator of Internal Family Systems, Dr. Richard C. Schwartz, shares the latest in his journey as we chat about where the field of psychotherapy has been, and where it may be going! Dr. Richard C. Schwartz began his career as a family therapist and an academic at the University of Illinois at Chicago. There he discovered that family therapy alone did not achieve full symptom relief and in asking patients why, he learned that they were plagued by what they called “parts.” These patients became his teachers as they described how their parts formed networks of inner relationship that resembled the families he had been working with. He also found that as they focused on and, thereby, separated from their parts, they would shift into a state characterized by qualities like curiosity, calm, confidence and compassion. He called that inner essence the Self and was amazed to find it even in severely diagnosed and traumatized patients. From these explorations the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model was born in the early 1980s.  IFS is now evidence-based and has become a widely-used form of psychotherapy, particularly with trauma. It provides a non-pathologizing, optimistic, and empowering perspective and a practical and effective set of techniques for working with individuals, couples, families, and more recently, corporations and classrooms.  In 2013 Schwartz left the Chicago area and now lives in Brookline, MA where he is on the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Website: https://ifs-institute.com/ List of Books: https://ifs-institute.com/store/category/11/author/4 Featured Articles: https://ifs-institute.com/resources/articles/evolution-internal-family-systems-model-dr-richard-schwartz-ph-d https://ifs-institute.com/resources/articles/larger-self   Special Thanks To: Krystal Mazzola , M.Ed, LMFT (https://healthyrelationshipfoundation.com/) Zach Austin, M.MFT, LMFT

Dr. Chiaramonte practices Integrative Medicine at GBMC. Integrative Medicine services include integrative nutrition consultations, evidence-supported approaches to the use of supplements in cancer treatment, and mind-body therapies such as meditation, guided imagery and breathing techniques. Patients may also receive integrative treatment planning for symptoms such as sleep problems, anxiety, depression, pain, nausea, fatigue and stress. https://www.gbmc.org/cancer   @GBMCHealthcare @GBMCmedia  @DrChiaramonte

Dr. Bridbord shares how she applied the Gottman Model to help small business and corporations develop better systems.   Karen Bridbord, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist, certified Gottman couples therapist, and consultant who uniquely combines the expertise of clinical psychology, organizational behavior and counseling. She works on a personal level with couples and individuals as a therapist and on an organizational level to help corporations with her firm Karen Bridbord & Associates.   http://www.karenbridbord.com http://www.thefoundersfoundry.com     Want to learn more about The Gotman Model or find a Certified Gottman Therapist? The Gottman Institute: https://www.gottman.com/   Host Brenton Kirschner, M.MFT, LPC, LMFT https://brentonkirschner.com/

Brad Dicianno, MD shares on the need for multidisciplinary clinics for the ever growing population of patients with Spina Bifida.  Spina Bifida Association: https://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/ Univ. of Pittsburgh Human Engineering Research Lab www.herl.pitt.edu UPMC Spina Bifida Clinic www.upmc.com/spinabifida Dr. Dicianno is rehabilitation physician and bioengineer. He is an Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is the Director of the UPMC Adult Spina Bifida Clinic, Medical Director of the UPMC Center for Assistive Technology and the Medical Director and COO of the Human Engineering Research Laboratories. He is the Associate Medical Director of the Spina Bifida Association (SBA) and chair of the SBA’s Professional Advisory Council. His clinical practice is focused on adult spina bifida and assistive technology. His research interests focus on the intersection of disability, assistive technology, and value-based care, with a strong focus on areas such as spina bifida, telerehabilitation, mobile health, innovative care models, and rehabilitation engineering devices.

Dr. Shah shares about going beyond safety with patient care, and building systems that promote dignity.    https://scholar.harvard.edu/shah/home https://www.ariadnelabs.org/about-us/people/leadership/neel-shah/ https://marchformoms.org/ https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Value-Healthcare-Christopher-Moriates/dp/0071816984/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=neel+shah&qid=1615921198&sr=8-2   Dr. Neel Shah, MD, MPP, FACOG, is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical School, and Director of the Delivery Decisions Initiative at Harvard’s Ariadne Labs. As an obstetrician-gynecologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Dr. Shah cares for patients at critical life moments that range from childbirth to primary care to surgery. As a scientist and social entrepreneur, he is a globally recognized expert in designing solutions that improve health care. Dr. Shah is listed among the "40 smartest people in health care" by the Becker's Hospital Review, and has been profiled by the New York Times, CNN, and other outlets. He is written more than 50 peer-reviewed academic papers and contributed to four books, including as senior author of Understanding Value-Based Healthcare (McGraw-Hill), which Don Berwick has called "an instant classic" and Atul Gawande called "a masterful primer for all clinicians." Prior to joining the Harvard faculty, Dr. Shah founded Costs of Care, an NGO that curates insights from clinicians and patients to help delivery systems provide better care. In 2017, he co-founded the March for Moms Association, a coalition of more than 20 leading organizations, to increase public and private investment in the wellbeing of mothers. Dr. Shah currently serves on national advisory boards of the Planned Parenthood Federation.   https://www.patreon.com/theluckyexile

Ruth shares how she took the Polyvagal Theory and Internal Family Systems Theory to bring about a unique treatment approach for clients working through their trauma and attachment.    http://calmheart.co.uk/   Ruth Culver is a somatic psychotherapist based in Brighton, UK. She works with adults and teenagers in groups and individually, and has a particular interest in trauma, attachment and resilience. She uses the Internal Family Systems model of psychotherapy (known as IFS), often integrated with other embodied and creative processes, such as constellations and intuitive drawing.  She created a graphic called The Survive/Thrive Spiral, which maps Polyvagal Theory alongside Internal Family Systems; this went went viral in 2020 and is now used by mental health professionals and individuals across the world.    Brenton Kirschner https://brentonkirschner.com/ https://www.patreon.com/theluckyexile

Dr. Helen Elnekave shares insights from her 50+ year career in working with children and their families to overcome issues with trauma and PTSD. Dr. Elnekave has worked in both the United States and Israel, and brings a wealth of cross cultural knowledge to the developmental needs of children.  Help support The Lucky Exile: https://www.patreon.com/theluckyexile Learn more about your host Brenton Kirschner:

Krystal Mazzola M.Ed LMFT shares how to compassionately recognize codependency in ourselves, relationships, and work environments. Listen to Krystal as she shares ways to reclaim your inner voice, and how to learn to trust yourself again.    Krystal Mazzola M.Ed LMFT https://healthyrelationshipfoundation.com/ https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07MZB765G Krystal is a best-selling author, licensed marriage and family therapist, and codependency recovery coach. Her books are The Codependency Recovery Plan: A 5-Step Guide to Understand, Accept and Break Free from the Codependent Cycle and The Codependency Workbook: Simple Practices for Developing and Maintaining Your Independence. Krystal started her practice, The Healthy Relationship Foundation, driven by her desire to help as many people as possible recover so that there will be a ripple effect of good in this world. Krystal is excited to be expanding this vision by preparing to launch her first course, “Self-Love is Possible: How to Stop Being Your Own Worst Enemy and Become Your Own Best Friend” this Spring. Brenton Kirschner https://www.patreon.com/theluckyexile https://brentonkirschner.com/ https://www.facebook.com/theluckyexile

In this episode, Billy shares how he and his wife used their expertise in project management to take on the unique challenges presented by their son's Cerebral Palsy. Listen to Billy share the process of assembling a medical team of specialists in Zambia, setting medical goals, and facilitating communication within the medical team as they work to provide healing for his son. Billy shares an empowering message for parents to see their children for their amazing gifts, and to use play as a means of healing. Host: Brenton Kirschner  Website: https://brentonkirschner.com/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theluckyexile   Billy Samuel Mwape, PMP LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-s-mwape-pmp-89310338/ Website: www.billysmwape.com Email: billy@billysmwape.com https://www.ted.com/talks/billy_samuel_mwape_an_innovative_way_to_support_children_with_special_needs/up-next Billy is a Strategist, Project Manager, Risk and ICT Expert, TED speaker and Author with over 16 years of experience in the Banking and Mining sectors. He has among many others managed the following projects: ERP systems, Data center implementation, VoIP Systems, PABX systems, Corporate Governance systems, Credit Scoring system, Fintech, Streaming Application, Automation, Systems integration, Strategy formulation and Fund acquisition.     He holds a Master of Business Administration – Strategic Planning from Heriot Watt University, BSc. Computer Science from Copperbelt University and a Diploma in Telecommunication Systems from City & Guilds of London Institute and he is pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration with Heriot Watt University.

He is a proven business and community leader with a passion for Project management and leadership training. He holds the following leadership roles: Vice President – Project Management Institute (PMI) Zambia chapter, Chairperson for Watt Club Zambia (Heriot Watt University Alumni), Council member (Heriot Watt University Alumni), Area Director for toastmasters, Lusaka, Zambia, CEO – Valley view and advisory board member – Project Leader Community.  He believes that Project Management and leadership training is key to the attainment of organizational/national strategic goals, hence his passion to inspire African leaders through training and presentations.  
Billy has the following professional certifications: PMP, PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner, certified Expert in Risk management, COBIT 5, CCNA, MCT – Exchange server 2013, MCTS – SQL server 2008. He also has10 years’ experience in computer programming using Java, C#/ASP.NET, Python, C++ and Ladder.

We all struggle with a fear of death, but can we find meaning and hope in the fragility of life?    Keegan holds an LPC-Associate license in Texas and specializes in Veterans, first-responders, trauma victims, and PTSD. She is trained in EMDR therapy in addition to being a Certified Complex Trauma Provider. After receiving her Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling at Tarleton State University, Keegan is now working on her doctorate at Texas Tech University in Counselor Education. In her time as a doctoral student, she has presented three separate workshops on immigration reform, sexual harassment, and ethical considerations in working for social justice issues. In addition, she organized and was chair of a conference addressing diversity. She has additionally published an article on death anxiety. Brenton Kirschner Website: https://brentonkirschner.com/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theluckyexile

In this episode, Jenna Riemersma talks about her book, Altogether You, and her experience as an Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist. Jenna talks about the IFS model and elaborates on the different ‘parts of us.’ She tells us that even the negative parts of us are, in fact, good for us. We hear about faith-based trauma, how IFS aims to change the perceptions of those who have been victims of various traumatic experiences, and we learn the difference between ‘moving against’ and ‘moving forward’.   Book Recommendations Altogether You, by Jenna Riemersma Relevant Links Jenna Riemersma Website: https://jennariemersma.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennaRiemersmaIFS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Jenna/Riemersma Brenton Kirschner Website: https://brentonkirschner.com/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theluckyexile Highlights “None of these parts are bad; all of these parts are, in fact, good.” “Think for a moment about the thing that you feel or the behaviour that you do about which you are the most ashamed. The first important thing to notice about it is it’s not all of who you are; it’s just a part of you. The second thing you want to notice is there’s another part of you that doesn’t like it; that is also just a part of you.” “10 times out of 10, these parts don’t want to be doing what they’re doing.” Meet Jenna Riemersma Jenna Riemersma is the clinical director of the Atlanta Centre for Relational Healing. She is a best-selling author, speaker, and therapist. Jenna is also a Harvard graduate, a trauma specialist, and an IFS therapist. Her book, Altogether You, was Amazon’s No.1 Hot New release in spirituality and self-help.

An interview with Scott Hall, Ph.D., LPCC over his book, Managing the Psychological Impact of Medical Trauma: A Guide for Mental Health and Healthcare Professionals.  Relevant Links Scott Hall Website: https://www.highlandercounseling.com/Managing the Psychological Impact of Medical Trauma: A Guide for Mental Health and Healthcare Professionals.  Brenton Kirschner Website: https://brentonkirschner.com/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theluckyexile