Playful Parts, the integration of IFS principles with play therapy

Stefani Misiph, LMHC, RPT,S


Program Goals:

This training is hands on, didactic, and integrative Play Therapy Training.  This workshop is grounded in Integrative Play Therapy, including CCCPT and Adlerian Play Therapy as well as the use of Expressive Therapy and Internal Family Systems.  Participants will understand the intermodal use of Play Therapy and Expressive Therapy as it relates to helping clients develop metaphors to externalize challenges.   Internal Family Systems informs the “parts work” that helps strengthen these externalizations and metaphors.

Learning Objectives:

The specific objectives of this course are for participants to gain and demonstrate the following content areas:

  1. Participants will analyze the theories of Adlerian and Child Centered Play Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Expressive therapy as they relate to the idea of externalizing problems.
  2. Identify the three main categories of parts—Managers, Firefighters, and Exiles—and their relevance in play therapy settings.
  3. Explain how the 8 C’s of Self inform clinical decision-making and therapist presence in play therapy.
  4. Apply the 6 F’s of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model to engage protectors through play therapy techniques.
  5. Identify common protector fears and illustrate their strategies through symbolic play in therapy.
  6. Discuss the importance of the therapist’s internal system and Self-energy in facilitating play therapy.

Program Schedule:

9:00-12:00 PowerPoint, experiential activities, videos (15 min break)

12:00-1:00 Lunch

1:30-4:30 PowerPoint, experiential activities, videos (15 min break)

References

  • Speigel, L. (2017). Internal Family Systems for Children. Routledge: Ny, NY.
  • Altogether Us: Integrating the IFS Model with Key Modalities, Communities, and Trends, edited by Jenna Riemersma, with Richard Schwartz, Pivotal Press (2023)
  • Lavergne, M. (2004). Art Therapy and Internal Family Systems Therapy. Canadian Art Therapy Association Journal, 17(1), 17–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/08322473.2004.11432257
  •  Wark, Linda; Thomas, Melanie; Peterson, Shari (2001). Internal family systems therapy for children in family therapy in Journal of Marital and Family Therapy; Apr 2001; 27, 2; ProQuest Central pg. 189
  • Brie Turns, Paul Springer, Brandon P. Eddy & D. Scott Sibley (2021) “Your Exile is Showing”: Integrating Sandtray with Internal Family Systems Therapy, The American Journal of Family Therapy, 49:1, 74-90
  • Jimenez-Pride, C. (2025) Playful Parts Work: An Introductory Guide to Integrating Play Therapy with Internal Family Systems. Pesi