February 2025
- therapy
- Feb 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 9
Kia ora Friends and Colleagues,
Here we are in mid-February already; the school year has restarted, and hopefully some gentle rhythms have set in around you to carry you through this year. I was introduced to this beautiful poem written by Sheree Bliss Tilsey “A Medicine Woman’s Prayer” in a recent training session I attended and wanted to pass this along to all of you who carry the cloak of mental health care.
I hope this offers you some inspiration for the journey ahead.
I have had the privilege and pleasure of continuing my training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) with the first NZ cohort of Level 1 certification trainees. It has stretched me in ways that have surprised me as I try to embrace my beginners mind and create enough internal spaciousness for all the ‘not knowing’, ‘not confident’, ‘not competent’ parts of me to settle down. After 32 years in the field of psychotherapy, it is difficult to come with a blank slate to a brand new modality. The trainers are experienced and competent, and the training is very experiential with a large focus on somatic attunement, unlike the predominantly talk-based modalities I have trained in.
IFS is called a restraint-release model of healing in that is focuses on helping our inner system of parts come to equilibrium. Vanessa Kredler (2023) offers a succinct summary of IFS in this article (https://magazine.theaca.net.au/articles/internal-family-systems-therapy Internal family Systems (developed by the Family Therapist Richard Schwartz in the 1980s) is an evidence-based psychotherapy modality whose main tenet is that the mind in its natural and healthy state is composed of many parts/subpersonalities, that operate as an inner family system (Catanzaro et al., 2019). These parts possess a full range of emotions, thoughts, sensations and beliefs and under ideal circumstances grow into complementary roles as the individual develops (Catanzaro et al., 2019). IFS also posits that everyone has a central core, the Self (which is called the True Self in Jungian psychology and many spiritual traditions may call it the Soul) which is not a part. This SELF is “the innate, healthy, wise and compassionate presence in all human beings” (Spiegel, 2017, p.14). The Self remains undamaged in any circumstances and holds some self-righting qualities, or inner healing predispositions which are always available when we tune in to these parts, offering them gratitude for how they have been trying to take care of us, and unburdening them from false beliefs they picked up along life’s curly journey.
(For those of you, who like me, have a healthy critic part that likes research, here is an article with a critique of this modality and its claims to evidence-based research: https://societyforpsychotherapy.org/internal-family-systems-exploring-its-problematic-popularity/
Now on to more mundane things…. like Professional Development events coming up. To view all my events check out my Events page on my Website:
Events – Ruth McConnell
Below is a highlight of what is coming up….
Events in March 2025….
In a couple of weeks I am presenting this webinar to NZAC counsellors but open to others so please see details below:
New Zealand Association for Counselling
Professional Development Webinar
March 3, 2025
6:00-8:00 pm Auckland NZ timeTo register click here: https://events.humanitix.com/trauma-webinar
There are 76 registered already but there is still space…. this will be recorded so if you can’t make the date you can watch it later.
Applying Attachment theory to clinical practice:
Grow Seminar
To register click here:
This presentation will not be recorded so you can do it in your own time and pace by purchasing the on-demand course here: ABC 1 – Attachment Based Counselling – Introduction course – Ruth McConnell (same course just a different title).
2 part workshop for New Zealand Psychological Society Event
to book click here
I will be a speaker in this series, a joint collaboration between New Zealand Christians in Science NZCIS, ISCAST and Centre for Theology and Psychology at Melbourne School of Theology. See details below:
Registrations Are Open for ISCAST–NZCIS Conversations 2025: Mental Health and Faith!
This conversations series explores the growing mental health crisis and how Christians can respond. Each week, expert speakers will offer fresh insights and perspectives on some of the greatest mental health challenges of our time, followed by discussion and Q&A.
More information on speakers and their talks is now available! Explore the lineup of talks and speakers below:
What are the sciences and spiritualities of clinical practice? – Alan Gijsbers
Delving under the surface: eating disorders and Christian spirituality – Hayley Thomas
Understanding mental health issues in children, young people, and families from a Christian perspective #dontjustprayitaway – Danny Cheah
Understanding and responding to gender dysphoria: research and clinical experience – Mel Fung
Authority and power structures in the church which undermine individual agency – Christa McKirland
Responding to the growing mental health crisis as a Christian: clinical and theological perspectives – Dr Ruth Lawson-McConnell
A Christian scientist’s views on memory and forgetting in mental disorders – Jee Hyun Kim
We’ll also hear from Brett Mann and Nicolette Deva, with more details to come.
Dates: Each Thursday, from 20 March to 22 May (except 17 April over Easter)
Time: 6:30 p.m. AEST / 8:30 p.m. NZST. Each session runs for approximately 1 hour.
Where: Online via Zoom
Registrations are now open! Join for the full series or individual sessions by request. ISCAST and NZCIS members get 50% off, and student members can register for free.
Mental Health and Faith: The Struggle for Soul, Identity, and Flourishing – New Zealand Christians In Science (NZCIS)
And on a final note, in these days when many are facing scarcity and uncertainty, may this quote keep you going.
Go gently Kia pai tō rā (Have a nice day)
