Cultural Competency Through an IFS Lens

Course Description

Are you looking for a training that moves beyond checklists and concepts and instead invites genuine connection, courage, and transformation? 

This course reframes cultural “competency” through an intersectional Internal Family Systems (IFS) lens, offering a more relational, evolving, and embodied approach to equity and anti-oppressive practice. Rather than striving for mastery over other people’s identities or experiences, we will turn inward to explore how our own parts carry internalized oppression, cultural burdens, shame, bias, and protective strategies shaped by our histories, communities, and lineages.

Traditional cultural competency education has largely ignored the unique and nuanced experience of the individual and focused more on intergroup dynamics. It has also failed to create the safe containers needed to have these conversations. In this training, however, we strive to create a safe container centered around curiosity and compassion in which all parts are welcome. Multiple experiential exercises throughout the day will guide participants in exploring how parts of their internal system hold and react to internalized oppression, cultural burdens, and implicit bias. Participants will learn multiple skills that will aide in communication and reflection for both themselves and their clients. No prior experience with the Internal Family Systems model is necessary and both experienced IFS therapists and novices will benefit from this training. 

Get ready for a cultural competency course that inspires hope, compassion, and real change for the future!

Target Audience

Mental health care workers including social workers, masters level counselors, psychologists, marriage and family therapists.

About the Instructors

Carissa Emory, LCSW

Carissa is a Certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist and IFS Institute-Approved Clinical Consultant who helps clients heal trauma, depression, and anxiety through deep inner exploration. Drawing from IFS, EMDR, and Nonviolent Communication, she creates a compassionate, curiosity-driven space for transformation and self-understanding. Carissa has served as a program assistant for 4 Level 1 IFS trainings and has a passion for helping guide other clinicians in the IFS model. She has experience treating individuals, children, youth, couples and families in both community mental health and private practice settings.

Sundaura Lithman, LCSW

Sundaura is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Level 3 trained IFS therapist, and co-founder of local non-profit Radiance Integrative Health & Wellness. Drawing from over a decade of experience in trauma healing, LGBTQ+ care, and community advocacy, she integrates Self-led, compassionate approaches to support deep emotional repair and collective liberation. Sundaura has been a teaching assistant for 5 cohorts of the QTIFS course and brings a wealth of knowledge through her lived experience as a transgender woman. She has specialized in treating the LGBTQ+ community in both private practice and community mental health settings.

Agenda

9am Welcome/Introductions/Agenda

9:30am Module 1- Intro to Internal Family Systems and its compatibility with cultural competency; lecture, mini-experiential, and debrief

11am Break

11:15am Module 2 - Impact of collective burdens on our internal systems; lecture, parts mapping experiential, and debrief

1:15pm Lunch (1 hour)

2:15pm Module 3 - Speaking For parts rather than from parts to facilitate collaboration; demo, experiential, and debrief

3:45pm Break

4:00pm Q&A & Closing

4:30pm End

Learning Objectives

• List 3 ways IFS can help fill in the gaps that traditional cultural competency education leaves behind

• Assess one’s own bias through the use of the “U-turn” skill

• Describe the concept of collective burdens and name all 4 collective burdens in the United States

• Distinguish between speaking from a part and speaking for a part

Registration and Information

Cost of attendance is $225.

Register at https://www.stargazerlearning.com

Registration closes at 11:59pm on March 27, 2026.

Grievance Policy

Stargazer Learning Collective is committed to providing a positive and effective learning experience for all attendees. If you encounter difficulties before a scheduled training—such as problems with registration, payment, access to materials, or related communications—please email Carissa Emory and Sundaura Lithman at hello@stargazerlearning.com as soon as possible so the issue can be addressed promptly.

During training events, the facilitator leading the session is authorized to respond to concerns that arise in real time. Whenever possible, concerns will be resolved during the session (e.g., adjusting partner assignments, addressing facilitation concerns, or resolving logistical issues). If the trainer is unable to fully resolve the matter, participants are asked to submit their concerns in writing to Carissa Emory and Sundaura Lithman, owners, at hello@stargazerlearning.com.

Concerns or complaints related to course content, facilitation, instructional materials, site conditions, technology, or any other training component—either during or after the workshop—should also be submitted in writing to hello@stargazerlearning.com.

Stargazer Learning Collective approaches all grievances with the intent of identifying the fairest and most equitable resolution. Written complaints will be reviewed within five business days, and formal grievances emailed to hello@stargazerlearningcollective.com will receive a written response within ten business days.

ADA Accommodations

If you need ADA accommodations please reach out to hello@stargazerlearningcollective.com during the registration process. We will make every effort possible to provide reasonable accommodations for requests that are submitted in a timely manner.

Cancellation and Refund Information

Full refunds will be given before February 27, 2026. After this date, no refunds will be given for cancellation. To initiate a refund please email hello@stargazerlearning.com.

Course Interaction and Systems Requirements

This live Zoom webinar is completely interactive, allowing participants to ask and answer questions throughout the session and take part in guided discussions and experiential exercises. A mix of didactic, individual reflection, small group discussion, and large group discussion will take place.

A stable internet connection and a computer (not a cell phone) are needed to participate in the training. The participant’s computer must have a working camera and meet Zoom system requirements. For more information from Zoom on supported operating systems, tablet devices, internet browsers, processor/RAM, and bandwidth requirements click HERE.

Course Completion and CE Requirements

Participants must attend the entire course, with their camera on to verify attendance, and complete an evaluation to be eligible for CE credit.

Certificates of completion will be emailed within 24 hours of course completion after the evaluation is completed.

Cultural Competency Through an IFS Lens is approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program to be offered by Stargazer Learning Collective as an individual course. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE course approval period: 1/5/2026-1/5/2028. Social workers completing this course will earn 6 cultural competency continuing education credits.

This course has also been approved by the Oregon Health Authority as meeting their standards for education in cultural competency education (pending).

There are no known conflicts of interest associated with this training.