Institute Of Family Therapy

Summer's here! But just before you go on that well-earned break spare a thought for your autumn CPD needs. We have some wonderful workshops coming up here at IFT. 12th October - FGM - a very difficult subject. How can systemic practice help? 25th and 26th October - Dialogues in family therapy: developing trust and creativity, with Peter Rober and Jim Wilson. 22nd and 23rd November - Supervision for the helping professions with a host of wonderful presenters. See our web sit...e for full details. 3rd December - Working with sexual issues with Desa Markovic. Book your place: http://www.ift.org.uk/workshops-conferenc es/ Happy holidays to everyone.
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Many of our courses are drawing to a close now as the summer break approaches . Below are the students from our Supervision course in Norfolk on their last day of training. Well done to everyone who has completed this year, and we look forward to welcoming our new trainees in the autumn.

Last week at IFT we were very privileged to host a return of Matthew Selekman for Working with High Risk Adolescents.
This was a very popular and well-attended workshop. Participants’ comments were uniformly positive: “This was possibly the best training I've ever been on in terms of this particular subject area. Matthew was so positive and optimistic about promoting positive change that I think his enthusiasm rubbed off on us all.” “He brings so much knowledge and inform...ation that you can take away and begin to add to your own work, he makes it accessible.” We hope to have Matthew back again next year so watch this space! There are still spaces for Julie Tilsen on 21st and 22nd June: Therapeutic conversations with queer youth & their families: honouring resistance, cultivating connection. Prepare to be further inspired. http://www.ift.org.uk/…/queer-theory--a ction-theoretical-r…/ Our photo shows Matthew Selekman (far right) with three senior IFT staff, (l to r) Chip Chimera, Hendrix Hammond and Simon Shattock.
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Working with Sexual Issues in Psychotherapy
On Thursday 24th May IFT was very happy to host the launch of Desa Markovic’s new book. Desa has presented her comprehensive work at many conferences and workshops which focus on sexual issues both at home and abroad. Nevertheless these issues are often avoided or neglected by family therapists, psychologists and counsellors working with couple issues. Desa outlined her MOST model for working therapeutically with sexual issues. The ...model brings together the best of the theory and practice of systemic family therapy and sexology. Desa examines the differences and points of tension between the two approaches as well as their common aims and practices. This book fills a very noticeable gap in our field.
SAVE THE DATE! On Monday 3rd December Desa will run a one day workshop on working with sexual issues at IFT. Check it out at our web site: www.ift.org.uk
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21st and 22nd of June workshop: Queer theory in action. We live in a time in which more and more people are choosing alternative lifestyles and identities. We can no longer assume that people are conforming to stereotypical gender roles or sexual identities or cultural ideas about how to live a good life. And we can no longer assume that family members will understand the roles, identities and values of other family members. Queer theory offers an important lens for all of us... who work with families and relationships to help us see and understand beyond established norms. No one is better at engaging us in these new ways of thinking and understanding than Julie Tilsen. Her dynamic presentation challenges us while supporting us in that challenge. I highly recommend her workshop. Jill Freedman Co-Director, Evanston Family Therapy Center Co-Author, Narrative Therapy: The Social Construction of Preferred Realities
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Systemic leadership evening seminar, 21st June 5.00pm - 8.00pm Promoting effective leadership styles that harness the qualities of the workforce
Join us at IFT for a stimulating evening of ideas, discussion and application of a systems approach to leadership dilemmas led by Dr Barbara McKay, Director. To reserve a place please email: training@ift.org.uk There is no charge.

Re: Workshop at IFT, 21st and 22nd June. "Julie Tilsen is an engaged and vibrant trainer and speaker. In addition to her work as a therapist, Julie conducts training and workshops for youth workers, therapists, and other social service providers. She brings a wealth of experience to her work, drawing on queer theory and critical cultural studies. Despite the “heady” sound of those theoretical foundations for her work, Julie is among the best translators of dense theoreti...cal work — she is skilled at creating experiential workshops that allow participants to fully understand complex material in practical ways. Participants will learn how to put queer theory into practice. As the author of two books that translate theory into practice, Julie’s workshops will leave participants energised and equipped with new relational resources."
--Sheila McNamee, PhD, University of New Hampshire, Author/Co-Author/Editor: The Coordinated Management of Meaning; Relational Responsibility; Research and Social Change; Therapy as Social Construction
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Afraid our voicemail is down so please contact us by email out of office hours. We hope it will be up and running very soon.... info@ift.org.uk

Working with Queer Youth: June 21st and 22nd 2018
At the Institute we are acutely aware of the growing and urgent need for practitioners across the board to be able to engage and work creatively with LBGTQ+ youth. These are often high risk adolescents presenting at CAMHS, social care departments, schools and hospitals with distressing and distressed behaviour. We are proud to present this cutting edge workshop run by Dr Julie Tilsen coming up in June. Julie has a growing international reputation and we are really pleased to be able to sponsor the two day event.

Thanks to everyone who came along to our Open Evening on Tuesday. It was one of the best attended in several years. If you missed it don't worry as we have another scheduled for 7th of June at 6.00pm here at IFT. In the meantime, if you are interested in our training for this autumn, call our training department: 020 7391 9150. We re-open after the break on Tuesday, 2nd of April.

IFT is hosting an Open Evening on Tuesday 27th of March at 6.00pm. If you work with families, couples, or young people, come along and learn more about our courses and how they can help you increase your skills. Email: trainingadmin@ift.org.uk for details.

Alan Jenkins with Barbara McKay recovering following a packed 2 week visit to the Institute of Family Therapy which took in a conference, 3 day training, a workshop and a plenary for the MSc group. This is an excellent start to what we hope will be an ongoing relationship to promote ethical approaches to working with family violence.

Hear from Gerrilyn Smith about the 2-day presentation at IFT on 23rd of February and 23rd of March........

Gerrilyn Smith – 23rd February and 23rd March. Systemic Approaches to Self-Soothing
The ability to self-regulate is an essential skill in working with trauma and one that is not often given specific attention in systemic practice. This workshop will equip practitioners with techniques to both soothe themselves and to teach the techniques to clients. A framework for understanding the neurobiology of trauma is core to the days. These neglected skills are essential for those of us working with children and adults who have experienced painful and disturbing episodes. The workshop will help you recognise secondary PTSD in your clients. It is suitable for anyone who is working in the helping professions with traumatized populations.

All that jazz........Last week those of us who attended the IFT AGM were treated to a sneak preview of a chapter of the book currently being written by Richard McKenny who delivered the Annual Robin Skynner memorial lecture on Reason, Metaphor and Theory in Systemic Thinking: The Case of the Jazz Metaphor. Richard’s philosophical know-how and expertise places him at the forefront of the next wave of developments in systemic practice. All present came away with plenty of insights to be digested over the wine and nibbles which followed. This annual event is a must for our members! See you next year.

Alan Jenkins on 16th February - Working with Fathers in Family Violence: Generativity in Practice The Institute is delighted to announce this one-day workshop with Alan Jenkins. Those of us who work with families where fathers have perpetrated abuse to their partners and children will recognize the lasting contribution which has been made and continues to be made by Alan Jenkins. This workshop promises to be energizing and creative, giving participants, not only practical tools for engaging and working with fathers but optimism and clear directions for healing and change in this challenging group of people. This workshop is suitable for systemic thinkers in social care, the voluntary sector, the prison service and the NHS who are concerned with helping men to live more satisfying lives and to work in an ethical and enriching way.

IFT marked the close of its 40th year with a party last night, here at our offices in central London. Members, teachers, recent friends and stalwarts from the early days were welcomed for an evening of celebration and reminiscences. We look forward to our fifth decade!

Virginia Goldner, presented a two-day event at IFT: Couples on the brink - romantic bonds, binds and ruptures. Here Dr Goldner is joined by members of IFT's senior team, Barbara McKay, Chip Chimera and Iris Corrales

On Thursday last week IFT was delighted and honoured to host the book launch of Jim Wilson's new publication Creativity in Times of Constraint, published by Karnac Books in their series Systemic Thinking and Practice, edited by Charlotte Burck and Gwyn Daniel. Jim's enthusiasm and good humour contributed to a very enjoyable evening for those attending. After a brief introduction from Barbara McKay and Chip Chimera, both of IFT, and some words from Gwyn Daniel, the series editor, Jim spoke movingly about his work and the influences that have helped make his practice so inspiring to others.