Events

What is IFS?

Internal Family Systems (IFS), also known as “parts work,” is a holistic, evidence-based approach to psychotherapy that holds that each person is a complex mosaic of interconnected parts that conspire to help us survive. Developed by Richard Schwartz, Ph.D., IFS views consciousness as composed of protective parts, vulnerable parts and a core Self that is inherently calm, compassionate, confident, curious, creative, courageous, clear, and connected.

To learn more about IFS, click here.

What is the IFS Writing Lab?

The IFS Writing Lab integrates exercises from my book Step Out of Your Story with concepts from Internal Family Systems (IFS). Each writing lab will focus on different parts: for example, anxious parts, parts that get triggered in relationships, parts that seek validation, self critical parts, etc. It is open to anyone, though prior knowledge of IFS is strongly recommended. Participants will learn a framework and tools that can be used both personally and professionally, especially if they work in mental health.

Sivananda Yoga Ashram, Bahamas, 3/15-3/18, 2019

Soul Narratives: Writing Through the Lens of Self Compassion

More than a dozen yoga vacationers skipped the noon beach sun to spend four consecutive afternoons rewriting their life stories through a more compassionate lens.

Participants were invited to engage in a series of structured writing exercises that empowered them to reframe and redirect their soul narrative through choice and inner voice. Here is what some people are saying:

“A truly generous, deep, intelligent course, with you – a teacher of much grace, kindness, and clear dedication. I am very happy I experienced this.”

– Francesca S., New York City

“Kim’s empathy, gentleness and skills helped me step out of my self defeating story. Her questions and guiding suggestions helped me deepen knowledge of my self, brought out some long buried reasons for my getting stuck and helped me reclaim my lost qualities of self.”

– Marie M., Toronto

Other Offerings

Reframe Your Narrative About Challenging Relationships

A 10-week Online Course with DailyOM

Tired of people pushing your buttons? For as little as $19, you can liberate yourself from self-defeating patterns around people who trigger you. Register here to receive 10 weekly insights, writing exercises, and guided meditations you can access whenever you want.

Lesson 1: Soul Narrative vs. Self-Defeating Story
Lesson 2:  Exploring the Power of Choice and Voice
Lesson 3:  Your Adversary as Your Personal Trainer
Lesson 4:  Embracing Your Strengths and Superpowers
Lesson 5:  Getting to Know Your Inner Antagonist(s)
Lesson 6:  Dialoguing with the Parts that Get Triggered
Lesson 7: The Yoga of Character Development
Lesson 8: Supporting Characters, Tools and Resources
Lesson 9: Giving Ourselves the Blessing We Seek
Lesson 10: The Golden Happy Ending

A FULL HOUSE AT THE NYC BOOK SIGNING!

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Psychotherapist and freelance journalist Kim Schneiderman utilizes research-based methods to help people who are stuck – in a dead-end job, relationship, of life stage – imagine themselves as the star of their own stories with the power to reclaim their personal narratives. Drawing on the elements of a story that many of us learned in high school (premise, scene, plot, conflict, climax, resolution), readers will assign titles to different chapters of their lives, observe recurring themes, identify supporting characters, and explore how conflict creates opportunities for personal growth that can lead to a meaningful resolution. They will also be asked to examine how the decisions we make, both big and small, affect our storyline – the relationships we choose, how we spend our day, and how we nourish ourselves, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Unlike most self-help writing workbooks, most of the exercises in Step Out of Your Story are framed in the third-person voice, freeing readers to see beyond their usual point of view. Psychological research suggests that people are more likely to view their lives favorably when they see themselves as characters in a story. In a 2005 Columbia University study reported in the Journal of Psychological Science, test subjects who spoke about difficult chapters in their lives in the third person narrative displayed more confidence and optimism than those who recalled bad memories in the first person. By retracing their steps from the perch of the third-person narrative, people were more likely to regard their problems as something outside themselves – challenges they had conquered or adversaries they had defeated - instead of character flaws. Additionally, the perception that they had overcome obstacles left them feeling more confident to face the future.