Interactive IFS Groups
In an Interactive IFS Group, you are authentic, vulnerable, and assertive, and the group is accepting and caring. Â
The group forms an intimate, loving bond. You have the experience of being part of a healthy family, which is profoundly healing.
FILL OUT THE INTERACTIVE GROUP QUESTIONNAIREFill out the questionnaire to automatically join our waitlist.
We will reach out when there is a spot open so that we can interview you to find the right fit.
See below for all of the current groups.
ABOUT THEÂ GROUPS
AN INTERACTIVE IFS GROUP CAN …
- Give you the experience of being truly known for who you are. You reveal to the other group members your special qualities, and also the shadow sides of yourself that you keep hidden because of shame. The other group members understand you deeply and care for you.Â
- Give you practice at being present in the moment, with yourself and others, thus entering a state of flow and aliveness.
- Help you learn to communicate clearly and assertively without dumping your stuff on others.
- Develop your ability to empathize with other people and care for them.
WHAT HAPPENS
- You work directly on how you are relating to the other group members in the moment. Instead of just talking about how you relate in your life, you practice interacting with others right in the group.
- You get in touch with your parts that get activated in the group and learn how to separate from them and relate to them in a healing way.Â
- You get direct and honest feedback on how people are reacting to you. This helps you to understand your interpersonal patterns that aren’t working and then practice healthy capacities in the group.
- There is a strong sense of support for each person and a warm feeling of community in the group.Â
BENEFITS
You can learn these relationship skills:
- Being in touch with your feelings and parts and speaking for them
- Reaching out to others confidently and trusting people
- Allowing yourself to be open and vulnerable and to take in support and caring from others.
- Having the courage to bring up a difficult issue with someone and working through the conflict so you become closer to that person.
- Dealing with anger and conflict constructively
WHAT DOESN'T HAPPEN
- These groups are not therapy groups. They are for personal growth.
- These groups are not primarily for bringing in issues in your life to work on.
- If you are looking for a less expensive substitute for individual IFS therapy, these groups are not a good fit. There are forms of group therapy that cover roughly the same kind of work as individual, but not this approach.
- The leader does not do full individual IFS sessions in the group.
- If you want to learn more about the IFS individual therapy process, it would be better to take one of our IFS Classes. Â
Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
We incorporate IFS into our group work so you can explore your parts as they arise in interacting with others.
You are required to know IFS experientially in order to join.
For information on IFS, click here.
Capacity Development
Our groups help you develop capacities such as Assertiveness, Awareness, Compassion, Intimacy, Impact Awareness, and many others.
You identify your growing edge as a capacity so you can work on it explicitly.
For information on capacities, click here.
Prerequisites
You have some knowledge of IFS, not just intellectual knowledge but also some ability to work with your parts. If you don't have this, we recommend that you take our Basic IFS Course and Exiles Course, taught by Bonnie Weiss.
You do not have serious unresolved trauma. If you do, or you haven’t resolved enough of it, we recommend that you work with an IFS therapist (or other trauma therapist) until a good portion of your trauma is resolved, and then attend an Interactive IFS Group to continue your growth.
These are long-term ongoing groups, which means that you stay with the group for at least a year. Though you aren’t required to make a year’s commitment at first, if the group works for you, you are expected to stay for at least a year.
You must fill out the questionnaire and have a pre-group interview, so we can determine if an Interactive IFS Group is a good fit for you.
Group Logistics
- Â Each group is limited to 8 members.
-  Groups meet twice a month, on Zoom, for 2 hours
-  Fee for participation in a group is $200-$300/mo.
- You can join when there is an opening, and you stay as long as you like.
- You can try out a group out for a month before committing to it. Â
- You meet with the leader for a 30 minute consult about the group once every 3 months, for no additional fee.
- Recordings of each session will be available on a page for your group.   Â
Interactive IFS Groups
With Jay Earley, PhD and other leaders from the Interactive Group Institute.
Here is our current schedule of Interactive IFS groups:
What People Are Saying About
the Interactive IFS Groups:
As a psychotherapist with 30 years of experience, I’ve encountered both mediocre and masterful therapies. In Jay’s interactive group, I experienced unprecedented growth, nurturing, conflict, and resolution in a remarkably short time. Jay’s presence, vulnerability, and ego-less approach exceeded my expectations. His model is not only learnable and adaptable but has profoundly impacted my work and personal life.
-Dr. F. Towne Allen
I’ve participated in various therapy groups, but Jay Earley’s relationship group stands out for its effectiveness. I’ve developed valuable interpersonal skills, addressing conflicts with clarity and understanding. Jay’s approach helped me recognize and heal lifelong patterns rooted in childhood. I’ve learned to accept and appreciate myself more, becoming a better friend to myself and an authentic person.
-Jim Spohn
Jay Earley is a distinguished thinker, doer, and trainer in Gestalt group work. His workshops have attracted therapists and trainers from major Gestalt centers in New York. Jay’s gentle style and unique approach are invaluable for those learning group therapy or participating in it. His move to California is New York’s loss but California’s gain!
-Marla Silverman, Ph.D.