Level 1 #1470
For registered psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, specialist psychiatric nurses and equivalent.
Module 1: 19 to 24 February 2027
Bridging days: 19 and 20 March 2027
Module 2: 15 to 20 May 2027
Overview
Training format
This is an in-person training course. It consists of two in-person modules of 6 days each, totalling 79.5 contact hours (39.75 hours per module), plus two bridging days via Zoom, totalling 10 contact hours (5 hours per day).
The total number of contact hours for this training is 89.5.
Target audience
This Level 1 Training is intended for experienced, registered professionals working in mental healthcare in the Dutch-speaking region. If places remain available, professionals with a similar 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 policy here.
The material and methods in this training may include interventions that fall outside your own scope of authority or professional field. As a professional, you are responsible for verifying your own qualifications and applying what you have learned within the frameworks of your professional association and the 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.
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.
A reasonable to good command of English is therefore required. Speaking or understanding Dutch is not necessary.
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 will take place at de Poort in Groesbeek. A beautiful location surrounded by woodland, heathland and Groesbeek’s gently rolling hilly landscape.
Limited overnight accommodation with breakfast and dinner is available at De Poort. You can arrange a stay at De Poort yourself.
Coffee, tea, snacks and lunch are included on training days.
Alternative accommodation nearby can be found on sites such as Booking.com or Airbnb.
Dates and times
Module 1 at De Poort: 19 to 24 February 2027
Bridge days via Zoom: 19 and 20 March 2027
Module 2 at De Poort: 15 to 20 May 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
In preparation for the training:
Required reading:
Schwartz, R.C. & Sweezy, M. (2019). Internal Family Systems Therapy (2nd edition)
Recommended reading / required for those without prior experience with the IFS model: Schwartz, R.C. (2023). Introduction to Internal Family Systems. Boulder, CO: Sounds True Publishing, ISBN 978-1683643616
Additional recommended 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.
Liz Martins is an IFS Institute Lead Trainer based in the United Kingdom, as well as a Certified IFS Therapist and Approved IFS Clinical Consultant. She brings many years of experience supporting personal and professional development, with a background in social work, therapy, supervision, and training. Liz began her career in children's social care, including senior leadership and consultancy roles. This experience shaped her grounded, systemic approach and her awareness of the wider systems that shape people's lives and work. She has been providing therapy from her own practice for more than 15 years.
Liz was introduced to IFS in its early development in the United Kingdom, where she trained with Dick Schwartz. She has led trainings and workshops in the United Kingdom and internationally, across a wide range of cultural contexts. She is known for creating thoughtful, experiential learning environments that combine depth with clarity and practical application. Alongside her training work, she supports newer IFS trainers in their development and continues to contribute to the growth of the IFS community. In addition to IFS, she is also trained in EMDR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy.
As an experienced supervisor, Liz has a particular interest in integrating IFS into supervision and consultation, and works with the IFS Institute to design and lead workshops for Approved IFS Clinical Consultants. She contributed a chapter to Internal Family Systems: Supervision and Consultation (Redfern, 2023) and is currently writing a book on the subject.
IFSI solo lead trainer
Liz Martins
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 will be applied for with FGzPt, NVvP, NIP-Gz, NIP/NVO, VSR, VEN and the Kwaliteitsregister Psychotherapie.
The outcome of these applications has not yet been determined. We expect and hope that the training will qualify for accreditation. As soon as more information is available, we will publish it on this page.
Different requirements may apply to different professional groups and associations for obtaining PE points, for example regarding the required number of attendance hours (often 90%) and/or completion of an additional assignment.
When accreditation is granted, PE points can only be awarded if the specific requirements of the relevant professional association or register have been met.
This is separate from the requirements for obtaining the IFSI certificate.
The exact requirements and the number of PE points awarded for each professional group will be stated once the accreditation decisions are known.
Costs
The training fee is € 5,370. This amount consists of the € 4,950 training fee set by the IFS Institute, plus € 420 for coffee/tea/fruit/lunch during the training days at De Poort.
The English-language manual for the IFS Institute Level 1 Training is included. Due to the Poort’s terms and conditions, it is not possible to opt out of coffee, tea, fruit or lunch.
Costs and conditions
Payment terms
To reserve your place, a deposit of €750 is required, payable within 14 days after you receive notification that a place is available for you on the training course. The remaining amount (€4,620) must be paid no later than 1 December 2026.
Cancellation policy
If, for any reason, you need or wish to withdraw before 1 December 2026, the full amount minus the non-refundable deposit will be refunded, i.e. € 4,620.
If you need or wish to withdraw from participation on or after 1 December, for any reason, the full amount remains payable and no refund will be issued.
It is not possible to transfer your place in the training. 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 #1470
Registration period
From 15 September to 15 October 2026, you can apply via an application form that will be available on the website from 15 September.
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 not yet full, we will extend the registration period.
If you are not selected in the draw, you will be placed on the waiting list. If a place becomes available, a draw will determine which person on the waiting list is contacted.
