IFS Supervision and Consultation

IFS Clinical Supervision & Consultation for Therapists

Deepen your IFS practice. Trust yourself more. Bring the real work.

IFS can be transformative—and it can also leave therapists with moments of uncertainty: Am I really in Self? What do I do with this protector? Why am I stuck with this client? Is this my part, their part, or both?

My supervision offers a space to slow down, become curious, and work with those questions rather than having to figure them out alone.

As a Level 3 Certified IFS Therapist and IFS Approved Clinical Consultant, I offer experiential, relational supervision and consultation for therapists who want to move beyond simply knowing the IFS model toward feeling more confident and embodied in their clinical work.

This is supervision you can experience, not just talk about.

We work with real clinical cases, stuck points, therapist parts, clinical decision-making, and the places where our own internal systems inevitably enter the room.

Depending on the needs of the group, our work may include:

• Experiential case consultation and live demonstrations
• Exploring therapist parts in the work
• Developing greater Self-led presence
• Working with complex and relational trauma through an IFS lens
• Practising IFS skills and interventions
• Integrating IFIO into couples and relational work
• Reflective discussion and learning from other clinicians
• Creative and experiential approaches to clinical learning

My approach is warm, curious, rigorous, and collaborative. I don’t believe therapists need to have everything figured out before bringing a case to supervision. In fact, the places where we feel stuck, uncertain, or activated often provide some of the richest opportunities for learning.

Small groups. Deep work. Genuine clinical community.

Groups are intentionally kept small so that there is enough space for each therapist to bring meaningful clinical material and receive thoughtful, individualized attention.

Whether you are working toward IFS certification or simply want to deepen your use of IFS in practice, I welcome therapists who are curious, reflective, and ready to explore.

Interested in joining an upcoming group?

[View Current IFS Supervision Groups (scroll to the bottom)
[Join the IFS Supervision Interest List]

IFS Clinical Supervision for Therapists

Bring the cases that are difficult to untangle.

Deepen your IFS skills. Strengthen your clinical confidence. Develop a more embodied, Self-led presence.

You know the IFS model.

You understand parts, Self, protectors and exiles.

But sometimes a client gets stuck.
Sometimes you get stuck.
Sometimes your own parts show up in the room.

That’s where supervision becomes especially valuable.

My IFS clinical supervision groups provide a small, experiential space where therapists can bring their real clinical work, explore what is happening beneath the surface, and develop greater confidence in using IFS with complexity, depth and nuance.

This is not just case consultation.

We look at the clinical material and the therapist’s experience of the work.

Together, we may explore:

• What is happening in the client’s internal system?
• Where might the client’s system be stuck?
• What is your system doing in response?
• Are you blended, or can you access Self-energy?
• What might a protector need before the work can move forward?
• Where are you uncertain about what to do next?
• How can you remain relationally present while staying grounded in the model?

The goal isn’t to perform IFS perfectly.

The goal is to become more trusting, curious, flexible and grounded in your practice.

My approach

I am a Level 3 Certified IFS Therapist and an IFS Approved Clinical Consultant, with more than 25 years of experience in mental health.

My clinical background includes extensive work with complex trauma, relational trauma, attachment injury, nervous-system dysregulation, and complicated relational dynamics.

My supervision is:

Experiential
We learn through doing, not only talking about theory.

Relational
The therapeutic relationship—and the supervisory relationship—are part of the work.

Reflective
We pay attention to what happens inside you as you work with clients.

Trauma-informed
Complex trauma requires pacing, curiosity and attention to the whole system.

Collaborative
You bring your clinical knowledge and experience. We explore together.

What you can bring to supervision

You don’t need to bring a perfectly organized case.

Bring:

• A client you feel stuck with
• A protector you aren’t sure how to work with
• A session that didn’t go as planned
• A difficult relational dynamic
• A moment when you felt activated
• Questions about pacing or unburdening
• Uncertainty about how to apply IFS
• A clinical decision you are struggling with
• Or simply a part of your practice that you want to understand more deeply

Who is this for?

This group is designed for therapists and mental-health professionals who have foundational knowledge of IFS and want to deepen their clinical practice.

It may be particularly helpful for therapists who:

• Have completed IFS Level 1 or equivalent training/courses/reading personal IFS therapy
• Are working toward IFS certification
• Are already incorporating IFS into their practice
• Want more confidence working with complex trauma
• Want to develop greater embodiment rather than relying solely on intellectual understanding
• Want thoughtful feedback from an experienced IFS clinician
• Value experiential and relational learning

What makes a small group different?

One of the strengths of group supervision is that you don’t only learn from your own cases.

You learn by watching someone else work through a stuck point.

You hear another therapist conceptualize a client.

You recognize one of your own parts in someone else’s experience.

You discover that the question you’ve been afraid to ask is one other therapists have too.

The group becomes part supervision, part consultation, part clinical learning community.

Groups are intentionally kept small to protect depth, participation and connection.

About Sarah

Sarah Elisabeth Therapy is led by Sarah MacDonald, MSW, RSW, Level 3 Certified IFS Therapist and IFS Approved Clinical Consultant.

Sarah has more than 25 years of experience in mental health across residential programs, psychiatric and hospital settings, community organizations, post-secondary institutions, youth shelters, and child welfare policy and advocacy.

Her clinical focus includes complex trauma, attachment injury and deeply rooted relational dynamics.

She brings extensive advanced IFS and IFIO training to her supervision work, alongside a trauma-informed, experiential and reflective approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be IFS certified?

No. The groups are intended for therapists with foundational IFS knowledge who want to deepen their clinical practice. Some groups may also be appropriate for therapists working toward IFS certification.

Can the supervision count toward IFS certification?

IFS consultation hours with an IFS Approved Clinical Consultant may count toward IFS certification requirements, subject to the current requirements of the IFS Institute and the individual’s certification pathway.

Is this traditional case consultation?

Not exactly. Clinical cases are central, but we also explore the therapist’s internal experience, parts, Self-energy, relational dynamics and the experiential application of IFS.

Is the group experiential?

Yes. Depending on the group and the clinical material, we may use demonstrations, experiential exercises, parts work, practice and other creative approaches to deepen learning.

How many people are in each group?

Groups are intentionally small so participants have meaningful opportunities to bring their own clinical material and receive individualized attention. Groups are capped at 6 if members are seeking IFS certification.

What if I’m nervous about bringing a difficult case?

That’s completely okay. You do not need to arrive with a polished presentation. We can slow down together and figure out what is needed.

Current Groups

IFS Clinical Supervision Group

Small-group experiential supervision for therapists

Format: Online
Group size: 4-6 for Certification groups 6-8 for non IFS certification groups
Approach: Experiential + relational + case-based
Facilitator: Sarah MacDonald, MSW, RSW, Level 3 Certified IFS Therapist, IFS Approved Clinical Consultant

[VIEW CURRENT GROUP]

I offer IFS supervision, IFS consultation, and IFS consultation groups for therapists seeking certification in Internal Family Systems (IFS). I also provide IFIO supervision As an IFS Approved Clinical Consultant through the IFS Institute, I offer individual and group consultation that may count toward IFS certification requirements.

My IFS supervision is experiential, collaborative, and grounded in parts work. I support therapists in developing greater Self-led presence, strengthening clinical skills, and building confidence in working with complex and relational trauma. I also offer IFS consultation groups, providing a structured and supportive environment to practice skills, receive feedback, and learn alongside other clinicians.

In addition to skill development, I offer consultation and experiential groups that support both clinical growth and personal integration of the IFS and IFIO models. These groups are designed for therapists who want to deepen their understanding of parts work while engaging in meaningful, reflective practice.

I bring over 25 years of experience in the mental health field, with a background spanning residential programs, psychiatric and hospital settings, community centres, post-secondary institutions, youth shelters, and child welfare policy and advocacy. I have extensive experience working with complex trauma, dual diagnosis, and diverse individuals and groups requiring care that is responsive to intersectionality.

Consultation Options

I offer both individual and group IFS consultation. If you are seeking group supervision, I can connect you with an existing group or help form a new one. I am also available to provide consultation to established teams or groups.

To inquire about IFS supervision, consultation groups, or certification hours or pathways to IFS Certification, please reach out by email through the contact page.

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IFS Supervision and Consultation for Therapists

I offer IFS supervision, IFS consultation, and IFS consultation groups for therapists seeking to deepen their practice of Internal Family Systems.

As an IFS Approved Clinical Consultant through the IFS Institute, I provide:

• IFS supervision for therapists
• IFS consultation hours that may count toward certification
• IFS consultation groups (experiential and skills-based)

My IFS supervision is collaborative and grounded in parts work. I support therapists in:

• Building confidence using IFS with complex trauma
• Developing greater Self-led presence
• Strengthening clinical decision-making
• Helping with ‘bad therapist’ or doubting or ‘inadequate’ parts
• Integrating Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO) for couples work

IFS consultation groups offer a structured, supportive space to practice skills, receive feedback, and learn alongside other clinicians.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer IFS supervision that counts toward certification?
Yes. As an IFS Approved Clinical Consultant through the IFS Institute, I provide IFS consultation hours that can count toward certification requirements.

Do you offer IFS consultation groups?
Yes. I offer IFS consultation groups for therapists who want to deepen their skills in a collaborative, experiential setting.

Do you offer IFIO supervision for couples therapists?
Yes. I integrate Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO) into supervision and consultation for therapists working with couples.

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Get Started

If something here resonates, you’re welcome to reach out. I offer a free 15-minute consultation to explore whether working together feels like a good fit for for IFS supervision and consultation. For expedient booking kindly include your availability M-F 8:10-5pm EST. I currently have openings in my Nov supervision group (5×100 min sessions) Every Tuesday 1-2:40. Scroll down for current offerings

Current Group Offering: Nov 2026

IFS Supervision Group for Therapists

Feel more confident, less stuck, and more supported in your work

Does this sound familiar?

• You’re using IFS, but sometimes feel unsure or stuck
• Certain client dynamics leave you second-guessing yourself
• Your own parts show up strongly in sessions
• You wish you had more support and community

You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

A space for real support and deeper learning

This IFS supervision group is designed to help you feel more clear, grounded, and supported as you integrate the model into your practice.

Together, we’ll explore both client systems and therapist parts, so you can show up with more confidence, clarity, and Self-energy.

What you’ll walk away with:

• Clearer direction in complex or stuck cases
• Greater trust in yourself as a therapist
• Practical ways to work with protectors and exiles
• More awareness of how your own parts show up
• A sense of connection (instead of doing this work alone)

How the group works

• Small, consistent group (max 6 therapists)
• Case consultation + experiential exploration
• Practice opportunities and creative approaches
• Virtual Sand Tray
• Supportive, non-judgmental environment
• Online via Zoom

Who this is for

• Therapists who have completed IFS Level 1 or Canadian Equivalent or experienced in other ways (therapy, reading/trainings)
• Clinicians wanting to deepen both skill and embodiment

Dates/Fees: 

IFS supervision group (can also be counted towards certification hours):

100 min /session 1pm-240 pm $600/5 weeks or $150/week (dates below)

Nov 3

Nov 10

Nov 17

Nov 24

Dec 1