Description
Date Course Created: April 2026
Are you ready to transform your approach to couples counseling? Join this exploratory training designed for behavioral health professionals seeking to deepen their work with couples experiencing relationship stress. This course offers a structured, trauma-informed roadmap for navigating complex relational dynamics using the powerful Internal Family Systems (IFS) framework. You will delve into how internal parts influence interpersonal conflict and gain practical strategies to foster positive, self-led communication between partners.
This session will equip you with the skills to identify protective and vulnerable parts in both yourself and your clients, creating the space for deeper connection and emotional regulation. By integrating IFS with Polyvagal-informed interventions, this training will enhance your ability to support nervous system resilience during high stress interactions. Attendees will leave with concrete tools for addressing attachment wounds, setting healthy boundaries, and navigating difficult conversations with newfound clarity and compassion. This is an opportunity to help your clients move beyond non-violent relationship struggles and find pathways for significant growth and healing.
In addition to the formal course objectives listed below, this training includes:
- A brief ethics review, focused on the importance of mandatory disclosure when working with couples in conflict that protects the therapeutic alliance of both parties.
- An opportunity to define your own ethical decision-making model and identify three points that should be part of every model when working with clients challenged by non-violent relationship conflict.
- A review of evidence-based assessment to identify underlying mental health/substance use disorder issues that may be prevalent when dealing with couples challenged by conflict in their relationship.
- An exploration of how gratitude practices, attention to glimmers versus triggers (Polyvagal Theory), co-regulation between couple to regulate emotions, the use of a glimmer journal, and relaxation breathing techniques can collectively support and foster healing.
- A large resource of handouts: Mandatory Disclosure Checklist, Assessment Checklist, Safety Action Plan, Sample Behavior Agreement, Continuity of Care Checklist, and a Gratitude and Glimmer Toolbox.
DISCLAIMER: This program has been developed and offered by Online CE Credits, and it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any other organization, center, clinic, institute, psychotherapy broker, person, or other business entity.
This is a 3.5-CE noninteractive, self-paced online video course delivered in home study format via an industry-standard online learning platform.
Agenda
00:00 – 00:49 → Course Objectives, the IFS Model, Applying IFS in Couples Therapy
00:49 – 01:26 → Understanding Parts, IFS Vocabulary, Interconnectedness of Parts, Micro Shifts Leading to Macro Changes
01:26 – 02:12 → AI in Therapy, De-escalating Verbal Confrontation, Polarization in Relationships, Role Switching for Empathy
02:12 – 02:50 → Attachment Styles, Cultural and Generational Considerations, Managing Confidentiality, Prioritizing Safety
02:50 – 03:39 → Glimmers and Gratitude, Dysregulation in Couples, Emergency Protocols, Expected Outcomes of IFS Therapy
Objectives
This training will provide participants clinical knowledge and tools to:
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After completing this training, participants will be able to describe the major aspects of the IFS model.- After completing this training, participants will be able to identify common protector part patterns in relational conflict, such as controllers, pleasers, and verbal aggressors.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to name two ways to assist clients to unblend and speak from Self rather than from their parts.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to describe two techniques for using self-led curiosity to de-escalate verbal confrontations in relationships.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to identify how understanding polarization is effective when the protective parts of two partners lock horns.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to name aspects of focusing on legacy burdens and family of origin imprints on a client’s attachment style.
Target Audience:
Professional Counselors, Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and anyone providing services in the Behavioral Health Care industry treating couples in relationship conflict (not acute violence).
Instructional Level: Intermediate
Instructor(s): Jodi Ann Geis-Crowder, MS, LPC, ACS
Material Author(s): Jodi Ann Geis-Crowder, MS, LPC, ACS
For additional information about this course, the instructors, or the material authors, please contact Content Assistance at content@onlinececredits.com.
Course Materials & Delivery Method:
Course Materials – The course is composed of a recorded presentation and written materials (e.g. a slide deck and/or other worksheets, manuals, or handouts as provided by the instructor). The slide deck and any additional worksheets or handouts (as provided by the instructor) are made available inside the Lesson module after a course is purchased.-
Delivery Method – This course is a recorded asynchronous, self-paced webinar training, and there is no access time limit or due date to complete it once enrolled. The enrolled learner will stream the recorded presentation and view the materials from their internet connected device via an industry-standard online learning platform.
CE Approvals:
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Online CE Credits has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6795. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Online CE Credits is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Mind Works Professional Education, Inc. DBA Online CE Credits, #1974, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: July 23, 2025 – July 23, 2028. Social workers completing this course receive clinical continuing education credits.
Other Helpful Information:
Refund & Cancellation Policy – You may review this policy at any time by clicking here.-
Accessibility Accommodations – If you require a reasonable accommodation for any reason, please email your request to cc@onlinececredits.com.
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Course Completion Requirements – 1.) View the entire Lesson module (accessible from the main course page), to include the embedded and/or linked presentation video(s), slide deck, additional materials, and/or links to any shared video clip(s) that may have been edited from the presentation video(s) to comply with copyright laws. 2.) Click into the Quiz module accessible from either the main course page or the Lesson page and complete the Quiz with an 80% or better pass rate. 3.) Complete the Course Evaluation – you’ll be sent to the Evaluation automatically once you successfully pass the Quiz.
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Posttest Requirements – You must answer 80% or more of the Quiz questions correctly to pass. If you fail to pass the first time, you may attempt the quiz again until you are able to pass with a score of 80% or better. Quizzes are graded instantly and automatically by the learning management system once your attempt is submitted.
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Certificate of Completion – Certificates of Completion are automatically generated – downloadable from your Dashboard and emailed to you – once you view the Lesson Materials and complete the Quiz and the Course Evaluation.
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How to Enroll – Login to the website first if you already have a user account. If not, you will create your permanent user account login information during course enrollment. Select the appropriate course library using the top menu of the website. Once inside your chosen course library, find and select your desired course to be taken to the main course page. Click the button on the top banner to enroll. When the order window pops up, enter your details and place your order. You will be emailed an enrollment confirmation message, and you’ll be sent to a landing page instructing you how to begin your newly enrolled course.
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System Requirements:
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