Legacy and Cultural Burdens

About this program: 

This program explores legacy and cultural burdens and how they are transmitted across generations. Led by Ann Sinko, the course helps IFS therapists understand how these burdens develop and how they show up in clients’ systems. You’ll learn an IFS protocol for working with and unburdening legacy and cultural burdens, while also strengthening your ability to detect them in clinical practice. This program offers practical tools for supporting healing at both individual and systemic levels. 

This learning program was held live in Fall 2023. 

Module 1: Multigenerational Transmission of Legacy Burdens and Shame 

This module introduces legacy burdens and the process of multigenerational transmission, with particular attention to the roles of shame and secrecy. You’ll learn how inherited burdens are passed down and how to recognize their presence in clients’ stories and symptoms. 

Module 2: Addressing Protective Systems 

This module focuses on working with protector fears and concerns that arise when addressing legacy burdens. You’ll learn how to engage protective systems with compassion while applying IFS protocols to both client and ancestral burdens. 

Module 3: Addressing Cultural Burdens 

This module explores cultural burdens and how they differ from legacy burdens. You’ll learn how to apply IFS protocols when working with cultural burdens, including those that impact clients with marginalized identities. 

Module 4: Unburdening a Legacy Burden 

This module features a demonstration of unburdening a legacy burden, with guided commentary. You’ll deepen your confidence in setting up and working with legacy and cultural burdens with your clients. 

What’s included:

This course includes approximately 4 hours of core teaching on the program’s main topic, along with around 5 hours of recorded live Q&A sessions facilitated by the instructor. 

You’ll also get approximately 4 hours of exclusive bonus content featuring Dr. Richard Schwartz, the founder of IFS. These recorded demonstrations and case consultations offer rare, behind-the-scenes access to see the model in action. While these sessions may not always align directly with the program’s primary theme, they’re designed to deepen your overall clinical understanding and help you see how IFS principles show up across different contexts. 

What are on-demand programs:

IFSI’s on-demand courses are recordings of some of our most loved advanced IFS programs led by IFS  trainers and thought leaders who bring deep experience and insight. Learn anytime, at the pace your system needs. 

Who is it for: 

These offerings are ideal for those who are enrolled in or have completed IFS Level 1 Training, and those who have already participated in the IFS Online Circle. They’re designed to help you deepen specific skills, build confidence in niche areas, and feel more grounded in your work with clients. 

CE Credit & Certificate of Completion: 

Please note that these programs don’t offer professional CE, but each provides 14 IFS CE Credits to support your IFS certification or recertification path. An IFSI Certificate of Completion will also be available upon completion of this program.  

Note: Materials and methods included in this course may include interventions or practices that are beyond your scope of practice. As a professional in your given field, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined by applicable law as beyond the boundaries of your practice, and applying your learning in compliance with your professional standards.