Introduction to Ego States Therapy

Training led by:

Jessica Downs, MSW, LCSW

EMDRIA Approved Consultant and Trainer

This six-hour training introduces Ego State Therapy as a framework for working with internal parts of self commonly seen in clients with complex trauma and attachment injury. Participants will learn assessment strategies, foundational interventions, and techniques to foster communication, stability, and integration across ego states within therapeutic relationships.

Live: December 8th, 2025 | 9AM - 5PM MTN

Cost: $195

COURSE OVERVIEW

Our experiences shape a complex internal system of “parts” — aspects of self that hold different feelings, roles, and memories. When trauma, stress, or unmet needs fragment this system, clients may feel disconnected or reactive without understanding why.

Ego State Therapy offers a compassionate, structured way to work with these internal divisions. In this six-hour experiential training, clinicians will learn how to identify and engage ego states, support communication and cooperation among parts, and strengthen the client’s core sense of self.

Through lecture, demonstration, and guided practice, participants will explore:

How parts develop as adaptive responses to stress and trauma
The principles of Structural Dissociation and their clinical relevance
Screening and assessment strategies for dissociation and parts organization
Practical interventions such as mapping, internal dialogues, and resourcing techniques
Therapist self-awareness and the role of the therapist’s own parts in treatment

This training is designed for mental health professionals seeking to integrate parts work into trauma-informed practice across theoretical orientations.

CEs:

This course is a 6 CE course.

Training Format:

Training will be offered live December 8, 2025.

Investment:

This course is $195. Installment options available.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Define the concept of ego states and describe how parts of self form as adaptive responses to trauma and attachment injury.
Differentiate between functional, emotional, and defensive parts using the lens of Structural Dissociation.
Identify at least three indicators of dissociation or internal conflict that warrant further assessment.
Apply at least two ego state interventions (e.g., mapping, internal dialogue, resourcing) to enhance stabilization and integration.
Demonstrate strategies for maintaining therapeutic boundaries and self-regulation when working with clients’ parts.
Develop a treatment plan that incorporates ego state awareness into ongoing psychotherapy to strengthen coherence and self-compassion.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

This program is intended for licensed professional counselors, clinical mental health counselors, and other mental health professionals who provide counseling services. The content is appropriate for intermediate to advanced practitioners seeking to deepen their clinical skills in EMDR therapy and trauma-informed care. Counselors-in-training and other allied professionals (e.g., social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychologists) may also benefit from the material.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Time	Topic	Key Focus
9:00–9:15	Welcome and Orientation	Overview of ego state framework; participant introductions
9:15–10:05	Understanding Dissociation and Complex Trauma	Defining dissociation, identifying symptoms, introducing Structural Dissociation
10:05–10:15	Break
10:15–11:00	Ego States and the Multiplicity of Self	Origins, functions, and internal systems; “no bad parts” perspective
11:00–11:45	Assessment and Screening for Dissociation	Screening tools, indicators, and relational approaches
11:45–12:15	Applied Practice	Case studies and screening exercises
12:15–1:15	Lunch Break
1:15–2:00	Self of the Therapist	Managing countertransference, boundaries, and therapist parts
2:00-2:45	Core Techniques in Ego State Therapy	Mapping, internal dialogues, resourcing, and stabilization methods
3:00-3:10	Break
3:10-3:55	Facilitating Communication Between Parts	Compassionate curiosity, pacing, and integration strategies
3:55-4:40	Demonstration and Discussion	Clinical illustration of ego state interventions
4:40 -5:00	Integration and Closure	Review objectives and integration into clinical work and space for questions and take aways

MEET YOUR TRAINER

Jessica, Downs

MSW, LCSW

Jessica Downs is a trauma-informed clinician and educator specializing in working with complex trauma, dissociation, and parts-oriented interventions. Jessica has over 10 years of clinical experience across outpatient settings, as a clinician, clinical supervisor, and advanced topic consultant. Her training approach combines practical, research-aligned approaches with space to allow learners to integrate their learning both personally and professionally . She is known for translating complex concepts into clear, actionable methods and for creating psychologically safe, skills-forward learning environments. Jessica is trained as a teacher and brings her love of learning into all her work, whether that be as a group practice owner, an EMDRIA approved basic trainer, or colleague. She regularly presents at academic conferences and for adult learners who are looking to adapt meaning mental wellness techniques into practice.

Eligible for 6 NBCC CEs:

Introduction to Ego States Therapy has been approved by NBCC for NBCC credit. IRIS Training Collective is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. NBCC Approval No. SP-5118.

Course Attendance and CE Credit:

For live credit: Attendees must attend live via Zoom and attendance will be taken for course credit. Partial credit is not available. Live certificates are issued upon request within 5 business days of verified attendance and completed evaluation.

For on demand credit: Attendees must view the full course video, complete the quiz and evaluation to receive credit. Upon completion of all modules your certificate will be issued and sent via email.

ADA Policy:

If you require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please review our ADA Policy, please click here.

Grievance Policy:

If you have a grievance regarding this program, please review our policy here.

Cancellation & Refund Policy:

Full refunds are available for cancellation requests received up to 1 day prior to the program. Cancellations on/after the live date or no-shows are non-refundable. If IRIS cancels, full refunds are issued or free transfer to a future date is offered.