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Pause with Laura IFS Consultation, Groups, Workshops, Retreats, Speaking. Approved AAMFT Supervisor & IFS Consultant

Online IFS Annual Conference Thurs & Fri 10/15-16Registrants have access to recordings until the end of the year. This i...
14/10/2026

Online IFS Annual Conference Thurs & Fri 10/15-16

Registrants have access to recordings until the end of the year. This is an amazing and accessible opportunity to sample a wide range of IFS offerings in the comfort of your own home, at whatever pace works for you and your schedule.

It takes a pretty good reason to get me out of bed for a 6am keynote, but I'll be there Thursday morning to hear my dear colleague, friend and mentor, Nancy Sowell speak about how parentification impacts our health. Nancy's new book, IFS Health Therapy, was just recently released--a book that likely applies to all of us!

Nancy put IFS on the map with her research using IFS to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis--the autoimmune disease I’ve been navigating for over 12 years that presented a serious medical issue right around the time her book came out. So timely.

Here's Nancy and me and our men after dinner in August on Cape Cod. We had so much to talk about we forgot to get a photo in daylight.

Registration Link in Comments.

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One of my favorite parts of coming East is connecting in person with some of my IFS peeps.Look who fetched me from Kripa...
16/09/2026

One of my favorite parts of coming East is connecting in person with some of my IFS peeps.

Look who fetched me from Kripalu! My longest-term mentor, colleague and friend, who I refer to every time I give an IFS Intro... Mary Kruger!! Mary supervised me for my AAMFT Approved Supervisor designation, and invited me to co-lead a monthly consultation group for clinicians who work with disordered eating years ago. She's a huge part of my IFS development. I'm so grateful to her!

Mary, her hubby Robert and kitties hosted me overnight and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner catching up with longterm IFS buddy, Everett Considine in New Haven, Connecticut. Everett assisted me at last year's Kripalu retreat.

Yes I'm happy!

Here are a few photos from our 3rd annual IFS & LifeForce Yoga retreat at Kripalu Center in the Berkshires of western MA...
10/09/2026

Here are a few photos from our 3rd annual IFS & LifeForce Yoga retreat at Kripalu Center in the Berkshires of western MA a few weeks ago!

I'm still buzzing from the precious connections, internal discovery and healing that emerged from our beautiful 26 participants from all walks of life across the US--supported by our invaluable assistants Jill Wallace and Eva Billik.

Through somatic practices and IFS experientials, we deepened, laughed, danced and cried. Silence, space and embraces were all welcome

There’s something magical about sharing 6 days together—held by the supportive Kripalu campus, with nourishing meals, healing arts options, wooded hiking trails, the refreshing lake and quiet spaces to simply pause and be.

While co-leading a retreat obviously requires effort, careful planning and coordination, each year Amy and I share this experience, we come away buoyed by the collective Self energy the retreat generates.

I feel such gratitude for this opportunity and already look forward to returning the 2nd week of August in '27!

Our closing circle included an acknowledgement of the sources who brought us here: maternal and paternal ancestors, those who have said yes to us, those who have said no to us…
we thank you. Look at who I am and what I’m doing with my life!

Thank you Thank you!

Hi all, I've been writing to my email community about the importance of community, especially in challenging times. I ha...
07/09/2026

Hi all, I've been writing to my email community about the importance of community, especially in challenging times. I had no idea what lay ahead for my city in eastern WA.

August was a whirlwind of teaching, travel to MA, visiting family, and navigating a city-wide trauma fog from unprecedented fires a few miles north of us. Over 65,000 people evacuated in two days as three fires burned more than 10,000 acres and destroyed 800+ homes. It was surreal. Fueled by 40 mph winds and record drought, the fire jumped our river swiftly and burned randomly.

The smoky, grey, impenetrable air, the blackouts, the planes overhead felt like a warzone. I shuddered anytime I heard a siren, helicopter, or ambulance.

It seems everyone here knows someone impacted. Our lives continued unscathed while friends lost every single item they owned, most with only 15-30 minutes to evacuate. I continue to feel survivor's guilt, am humbled by the power of the elements and reminded how powerless we truly are around so many aspects of life.

You can lose everything you hold dear in a moment's notice. That's the sobering truth, isn't it?

Leaving for my Kripalu retreat in MA was conflicted. My loyalty and my heart were in Spokane, and parts of me felt guilty about leaving my disrupted community. But getting some space from the tragedy — to engage in satisfying work, visit colleagues and loved ones afterwards, and soak up clear air and rain — was balm to my spirit.
(see happy pics!)
After flying east to Albany, NY, I couldn't wait to walk my host's cockapoo, LuLu, in the rain — rain I wish I could've sent west 2000 miles. I don't know if I've ever been so emotional about rain and flowers and puddles, after leaving burned, parched eastern WA.

In IFS we offer up burdens to the elements to be transformed. This experience reminds me how too much of anything (sunlight, oxygen, fire, water, wind, food, work, alcohol) is destructive.

It's been rough but our community continues to come together in beautiful, inspiring ways. Tragedies like this remind us of what is most important and how we need one another to continue on.

I just completed the 2nd of 4 sessions teaching a Seattle group of clinicians about the transformational power of using ...
29/07/2026

I just completed the 2nd of 4 sessions teaching a Seattle group of clinicians about the transformational power of using Internal Family Systems with clients dealing with substance use.

IFS found me almost 20 years ago as a family therapist for clients dealing with addictions. Without learning how to befriend protectors, I couldn't help them. I credit IFS for saving many lives.

It's my joy and honor to be hired to share my clinical insights and lessons with other motivated providers. Hats off to the clinical director for making this happen. He cares so deeply about his staff.

I'm grateful for this opportunity and all the mentors, teachers, therapists and clients who helped shape me into the therapist, teacher and consultant that I am today.

It's a good day in the neighborhood!

Learning and healing our own systems helps our clients heal!

Experience two transformative healing modalities in one restorative retreat in the beautiful Berkshire hills of western ...
30/06/2026

Experience two transformative healing modalities in one restorative retreat in the beautiful Berkshire hills of western MA.

𝗜𝗙𝗦 & 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝗴𝗮 | 𝗔𝘂𝗴 𝟵-𝟭𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
with Senior IFS Therapist & Consultant, Laura Schmidt, LMFT, and
LifeForce Yoga Founder, Amy Weintraub, C-IAYT.

Join us for a week of inspiration and connection. All bodies and experience levels welcome.

Space is limited. Invite a friend and join us.

Details and Registration in the comments, or scan the QR code in the image below.

When I have a big deadline, my parts aren't shy in reminding me how a supportive workspace helps...like including flowe...
16/06/2026

When I have a big deadline, my parts aren't shy in reminding me how a supportive workspace helps...like including flowers, candles, my favorite stones and tasty snacks! Wanna join me?!

I'm coming down the homestretch with my dear colleague, Amy Weintraub, before our first-ever virtual workshop integrating IFS and her creation, LifeForce Yoga! (We'll expand on this content in our annual Kripalu retreat this August!)

Join us Wed June 17 5-730pm MT!
$75 - includes recording

Link in comments or scan QR code

Kind words from past participants:
“I love the linking of LifeForce Yoga with IFS. Beautiful!” –Allison

“The combination of LFY and IFS is so strong and the two 'modalities' really complemented one another.” –Maggie Rose

I needed a social media break over the holidays which helped me be more present for the gifts of the season: less work, ...
12/01/2026

I needed a social media break over the holidays which helped me be more present for the gifts of the season: less work, more time with out of town family, celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary and savoring 4 nights at a primitive Canadian backcountry ski hut with more snow than we've seen in 9 months!

Here are some of the family pics. We haven't all been together in 6 years. More of the other gift pics to come.

Thanks to my big bro Rick and treasured sis in law, Denise for making the 1900 mile journey from OK each way to visit. We miss you and love spending time with you!





01/11/2025

Give it up for at for a lively Halloween celebration! 🎃👻🧡

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