About us
IFS Nederland is the home base for everyone who works with Internal Family Systems (IFS) or is curious about it: mental health and other professionals, and people who discover IFS as a valuable way of life.
Our organizational structure consists of two cooperating legal entities: a foundation and an association. Together, they provide both the official IFS® training program and a warm, vibrant community around it.
The foundation was established by Nina van der Hoek and Anneke Vinke. Nina is the contact person for the organisation of the IFS® trainings. The association is being established.
IFS Netherlands
Training programmes: the foundation
Since 26 June 2026, Stichting IFS Nederland has been officially established. It organises the official IFS training programmes (Level 1, 2 and 3) in the Netherlands, in collaboration with the IFS Institute.
The first trainings will take place in spring 2027.
Community: the association
The association is being established. It will be a place to connect with one another: meetings, workshops and lectures, and groups focused on specific interests.
Information: through this website, social media and other channels, we aim to contribute to carefully written and translated information and knowledge about IFS. We also keep members informed about developments within IFS in the Dutch-speaking region and beyond.
Quality and integrity: the Foundation and the Association monitor the careful and ethical application of IFS, work towards recognition of IFS within the Dutch mental healthcare system, and are building towards a register of IFS professionals in the Dutch-speaking region
Connection with the rest of the world: contact with the IFS Institute and IFS colleagues internationally..
One network
The foundation provides the training programmes, while the association supports the community around them; together, they form IFS Nederland.
In the future, we will inform you about the various forms of membership.Would you like to stay informed or join us? Keep an eye on the website, subscribe to the newsletter and let us hear from you in our survey.
IFS in the Netherlands and Flanders
More than forty years ago, Dr. Richard C. Schwartz laid the foundations for Internal Family Systems in the United States. The IFS Institute (IFSI) safeguards its quality through a clear three-part curriculum and an international network of certified therapists.
Here too, in the Netherlands and Flanders, IFS has steadily grown over the past ten years. Partly due to the development and dissemination of knowledge about trauma, more and more practitioners became inspired by Internal Family Systems. A movement emerged: people explored it in depth, attended IFS Level 1, 2 and 3 trainings abroad, shared what they learned, gave workshops, wrote about it, and an IFS community slowly grew. Much is owed to all those pioneers; they laid the fertile ground on which we are now building.
What had been missing until now was the official IFSI training program (Level 1, 2, and 3 trainings) in the Dutch-speaking region. This is why Stichting IFS Nederland was established. In collaboration with the IFS Institute, the 'official organizer' for the Dutch-speaking region. The training follows the current international curriculum, is delivered by IFS Institute trainers, and leads to the internationally recognized IFS certificate.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who previously brought IFS to the attention of people in the Netherlands and Flanders; without them, there would be no IFS network today.
Frequently asked questions
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What is the IFS Institute, and what training courses does it offer?
The IFS Institute is the official organisation that develops, safeguards and distributes the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model worldwide. The institute was founded by Dr. Richard C. Schwartz, the founder of IFS, and is based in the United States.
The Institute offers various training programmes:
Level 1, 2 and 3 training programmes: for mental health professionals who want to apply the IFS model in their work.
IFS Online Circle: an online introductory programme for those who are new to IFS.
IFS Foundations for Coaches: a live, online training programme for coaches who want to integrate Internal Family Systems into their practice.
Various advanced modules(on demand learning).
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What does the organization “IFS Nederland” do?
IFS Nederland was established in collaboration with the IFS Institute to operate as a partner organisation of the IFS Institute for the Dutch-speaking region. This means that IFS Nederland may offer the IFS® Level 1, 2 and 3 training programmes.
In addition to organising the IFS® Level 1, 2 and 3 training programmes, IFS Nederland serves as the home of IFS in the Netherlands. IFS Nederland safeguards the quality of IFS practice in the Netherlands and Flanders through collaboration with the IFS Institute.
Through the association yet to be established, IFS Nederland aims to maintain the community of IFS professionals and interested parties.
IFS Nederland promotes the IFS model and IFS vision and makes them visible.
IFS Nederland promotes the dissemination of the IFS model through initiatives focused on awareness, further development and application.
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Where can I take an official IFS® training?
Level 1 training courses are regularly organised in the Netherlands. You can find an up-to-date overview of scheduled training courses in the calendar on our website. You can also take a Level 1 training course in various other countries; an overview is available on the IFS Institute website.
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Can I already register for a Level 1 training in the Netherlands?
The first step is to register for the waiting list: for BIG-registered healthcare professionals, or for professionals in mainstream or complementary healthcare with a recognized qualification.
As soon as it is known when the registration period opens and closes, you will be notified. You can then register via a form, where you will also demonstrate that you meet the admission requirements.
Depending on the number of applications, you will either be placed directly or take part in a lottery for the available places.
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What are the admission requirements for a Level 1 training?
Since 2024, new admission requirements have applied in the US, and since 1 January 2025, in Europe as well.
These requirements will also apply to Level 1 trainings in the Netherlands. You can read more about the admission requirements here. -
I’m not sure whether I meet the admission requirements. What can I do?
- We ask people who wish to apply for a Level 1 to check for themselves whether they meet the admission requirements.
What you can do:
Step 1 – Check whether your professional association is on the list
The admission requirements overview lists the professional associations whose members are eligible. Is your association listed? Then you meet the admission requirement.
Step 2 – Is your association not listed?
You can then check for yourself whether your professional association meets the following three conditions: - The association recognizes a relevant completed professional qualification
- There is a formal complaints procedure that meets the requirements of the Wkkgz
- The association follows a professional and ethical code of conduct
If your association meets all these criteria, it may also be accepted. You are responsible for demonstrating this when you apply.
Step 3 – Professional experience
In addition, you must have at least 400 client hours per year within your professional field. You confirm this yourself when applying.
