Michael Fitzgerald, Marriage and Family Therapist

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Certified IFS Therapist

IFS-I Approved Consultant

IFS-I Assistant Trainer

Michael Fitzgerald, Marriage and Family Therapist

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Certified IFS Therapist

IFS-I Approved Consultant

IFS-I Assistant Trainer

Upcoming Workshops

Free Introduction to Internal Family Systems Therapy

A free full day introduction (online via zoom with the possibility of it becoming hybrid) to Internal Family Systems. The workshop will explore the development and assumptions of the model, research on IFS, Self and parts, polarization, healing steps, and therapeutic techniques. A combination of lecture, question and answer, experiential exercises, and a demo of an IFS session

Date, time, and registration link coming shortly

Internal Family Systems Program Assistant Development Workshop

This workshop is for graduates of an Internal Family Systems Level 1 training who are interested in becoming a program assistant and want to have a foundation in the role, new program assistants who want to improve their skills and settle into the role, and for veteran program assistants wanting to add more nuance to their practice.

Note: This workshop is separate from the IFS Institute's PA workshop that is offered. There are some similarities but they are largely independent in their focus.

Date: June 25th 10am - 5:30pm (Central Time)

Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpC16zKEYW4T8gDNBNRBpKh9GK4M1ieQnmyWvv7Cw7vWTgFg/viewform?usp=header

Upcoming Consult Group

Summer 2026 Consult Groups

I will be offering a time limited consultation groups that is designed to meet the requirements for IFS certification. All group hours will count towards certification.

Format:
The consult group may consist of case consultation, experiential exercises, meditations, didactics / teaching, working with one's own parts, and mini demos + demos.

Prerequisites:
Completed an IFS Level 1 training provided by the IFS Institute.

What's Included:
8 Hours of IFS Group Consult (10.5 group consult hours total)
1 Review of an hour long IFS session (live or recorded) and 30 minute individual feedback session
1 Demo Session (done in the group)

Cost: $450

Size: Maximum of 6 people (to meet IFS-I certification requirements)

Group Date and Time (All times Central):
Wednesday, June 3rd, 12-1:30pm (Group)
Wednesday, June 10th, 12-1:30pm (Group)

Wednesday, June 17th, 12-1:30pm (Group)
Wednesday, June 24th, 12-1:30pm (Group)
Wednesday, July 8th, 12-1:30pm (Demo)
Wednesday, July 15th, 12-1:30pm (Group)
Wednesday, July 29th, 12-1:30pm (Group)

Review of IFS session and 30 minute feedback session will be scheduled at a time convenient for both me and each group member. The session review must occur between the start and end date of the group (between June 3rd and July 29th).

I may request a brief 30 minute consultation with prospective group members so we can get to know each other, ensure that the needs of the consultee align with the intention / purpose of the group, or request clarification on the application / registration.

Process of Enrolling
1) Completing this form here tentatively holds your spot in the group
2) Complete individual interview (if needed) within one month of completing this form
3) Following individual interview, you will have two weeks to pay the registration fee or you may lose your spot in the group.
4) Once payment has been received, your spot is guaranteed.

Cancellation:
You are entitled to a full refund if you withdraw from the group prior to May 22nd (must be done in writing). After May 22nd, no refunds will be provided.

I reserve the right to cancel or postpone the group if there are fewer than three people who register.

Notice:

If there is sufficient demand, I will form multiple consultation groups

The group is intended be time limited, but there is the possibility of continuation depending on my availability, the groups desire to establish ongoing sessions, and scheduling.

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScin-C0wSIZ-U0lGqhfMPQBDJLnRFM5Dn-mJnbzjhfDB10d8A/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Who I Am

Marriage and Family Therapy

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT). I attended Oklahoma State University for my bachelors and majored in psychology, graduating in 2013. I moved to upstate New York and attended Syracuse University, graduating in 2015. Following graduation, I attended Florida State University for my PhD. I spent three years 2019-2022 as an assistant professor at Southern Mississippi. Since 2022, I have been an Assistant Professor at Oklahoma State University in Human Development and Family Science

Internal Family Systems

My theoretical orientation is centered around Internal Family Systems (IFS). IFS is an evidenced based model of psychotherapy developed by Dr Richard Schwartz over the past 30 years. IFS suggests that we have an internal system of "parts" each with their own personality, beliefs, emotions, and sensations. Accompanying the parts of us, we also believes that we have a Self. Our Self is compassionate, curious, and calm and carries patience, persistence, and perspective. Often times parts can be in control of our lives with little access to our Self and the goal of IFS is to restore the Self as the internal leader while releasing and unburdening our pain

Clinical Training and Experience

Education

B.S. Psychology, Oklahoma State University , 2013

M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy, Syracuse University, 2015

PhD, Marriage and Family Therapy, Florida State University, 2020

Internal Family Systems Training

Internal Family Systems Institute Sponsored:

Internal Family Systems Level 1: 2016-2017

Internal Family Systems Level 2: Trauma IFS and Neuroscience, 2017

Internal Family Systems Level 2: IFS, Additions and Eating Disorders, 2018

Internal Family Systems Level 3: 5 Day Retreat with Dick Schwartz, 2018

Other Training:

Internal Family Systems: Healing Trauma Workshop with Richard Schwartz (2014)

Internal Family Systems: Working with Guides with Richard Schwartz (2020)

Internal Family Systems: Working with Unattached Burdens with Robert Falconer (2020)

Internal Family Systems: Working with Grief with Derek Scott (2020)

Internal Family Systems Working with Couples with Richard Schwartz (2020)

Internal Family Systems Working with Chronic Pain with Richard Schwartz (2021)

Internal Family Systems Experience as a Staff Member (Program Assistant)

2018 Internal Family Systems Level 1 Training Basic Skills (465), Retreat Style: 2, five day training sessions in Brooklyn, NY.

Lead Trainer(s): Mary Kruger, LMFT; Paul Neustadt LICSW

Assistant Trainer, Marushka Glissen, LISCW (2018). 84 Training Hours

2018 Internal Family Systems Level 1 Training Basic Skills (480), Retreat Style: 1, six-day training session in Sydney, Australia,

Lead Trainer: Mary Kruger, LMFT; 40 Training Hours

2019 Internal Family Systems Level 1 Training Basic Skills (484), Retreat Style: 2 five day training sessions in Austin, TX and Danville, CA.

Lead Trainer(s): Kay Gardner, LCSW

Assistant Trainer: Mona Barbera, PhD. 84 Training Hours

2019 Internal Family Systems Level 2: IFS Trauma, and Neuroscience (512). 32 Training Hours. San Francisco, CA. 32 Training Hours

Lead Trainer(s): Frank Anderson, MD

Assistant Trainer: Fran Booth, LICSW.

2019 Internal Family Systems Level 2; Deepening and Expanding (503), New York, New York. 32 Training Hours

Lead Trainer(s): Pam Krause, LCSW

Assistant Trainer: Jim Andralis, LCAT.

2020 Internal Family Systems Level 2 Training (534): IFS, with Addictions and Eating Disorders, Nashville, Tennessee. 32 Training Hours.