Parts Work: A Path of the Heart Integrating IFS and Spirituality.

This workshop is designed for those already familiar with the IFS model who are using it in their therapeutic work. The IFS process helps us to open the inner space through work with our parts, and this allows the heart to awaken. The spiritual practices deepen our experience of Self, thus supporting the psychological work. The goal of this work is to help therapists work from Self and access that openhearted place. If they can do this, it allows them to have deep compassion in a sustainable way, while offering the therapeutic conditions that research has shown are key to healing. These workshops serve to “tune the heart” of the healer.

This workshop will include work with the IFS process, guided imagery, meditation, and meditative circle dances. Tom and Lauri will share how they see parallels between the IFS Self and the idea of the heart in spiritual traditions including Christianity, Buddhism, and Sufi traditions.

Workshop Leaders

Tom Holmes PhD,

Tom is Professor Emeritus at Western Michigan University (WMU). He and his wife Lauri authored the book Parts Work: An Illustrated Guide to Your Inner Life and he recently released his new book Parts Work: A Path of the Heart: Healing Journeys Integrating IFS and Spirituality. Tom has been training graduate students in psychotherapy since 1985 and since 1996 he has been teaching in the Holistic Health Care Program at WMU. His specialty area is spirituality and the therapeutic process. Tom received training in IFS from Richard Schwartz in the late 1980's and has been teaching, training and practicing IFS around the world since that time.

In recent years his focus has been on burnout prevention: "Healing the Healer" and "Tuning the Heart of the Healer." His workshops integrate Western psychology with Buddhist psychology and the Sufi path of the heart as well as spiritual teachings from the Judeo-Christian tradition.

In addition to his teaching at the University, he has offered many seminars in the US, Europe, and the Middle East on the integration of IFS and spirituality as a resource for therapist burnout prevention and the development of therapeutic conditions.

Lauri Holmes, MSW

Lauri will assist Tom in the workshop. Lauri is an experienced family therapist and was in contact with Dick Schwartz and the time he was developing IFS. As the head of a counseling program, she trained and supervised her staff in the IFS approach, whilst assisting Tom in writing books and giving workshops for healing professionals.



Tom Holmes’s most recent book, see below, offers ways of integrating spirituality into the IFS therapeutic process. This workshop will offer participants a chance to experience this way of working for themselves!

What Richard Schwartz, founder of IFS, says about Tom Holmes:

“Since Tom Holmes learned the IFS method from me decades ago, he has been a pioneer. He has added his own creative touches to the model, written a delightful, illustrated book with his wife Lauri, Parts Work, and has been teaching IFS around the world.

In this new book, Tom pioneers once again by exploring the spiritual side of IFS, particularly how to access and use what some might consider spirit guides, a phenomenon I have been reluctant to write about for fear that IFS would be discredited in some circles. Wisely, Tom stays agnostic about whether the wisdom they bring is from a metaphysical source or is tapping into some higher aspect of human consciousness. The book is well-written and full of clear instructions and examples of how to help clients access this resource.”

This will be a Continued Professional Development Course we hope you won’t forget! Tea & Coffee will be available and can be enjoyed on the grounds of Newcastle's beloved and peaceful Jesmond Dene Park. This location has been chosen with intention, as Tom & Lauri agree it is the perfect environment to compliment the nature of this course. Please bring your own lunch and extra drinks.

The Venue

The course will be held at Millfield House, Jesmond Dene Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE7 7BQ There is a small cafe on site, with limited capacity should you wish for any extras. Regretfully, as the Conference Centre at Millfield House within Jesmond Dene is a slightly older building, we are unable to offer wheelchair access. Please do contact Millfield House directly should there be any further access inquiries.

Jesmond Dene Park does have limited on-site paid parking available, along Red Walk, you can also park on Benton Bank. The nearest bus stop is on Jesmond Dene Road/ Freeman Road.

The nearest metro is Jesmond/West Jesmond. Further parking details can be found at: urbangreennewcastle.org

Our chosen location limits the number of spaces we can offer. Spaces are limited to 20 attendees only. Therefore, in order to avoid disappointment, please obtain your ticket as soon as possible.

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