Join Ruth Culver for a unique day of Embodied IFS processes including IFS Constellations.
BOOK HERE:
https://buytickets.at/calmheart/1548957
Take a journey of exploration with your own internal system in this powerful embodied experience for growth, freedom and transformation. This small-group workshop offers the opportunity explore your challenges, beliefs and habitual behaviours through a variety of IFS processes: meditations, journaling, intuitive mark-making, dyad/group sharing, and two full IFS Constellations.
You will be guided throughout in the IFS practice of bringing curiosity and compassion to whatever is happening inside, gaining clarity about old patterns and building inner calm, courage and confidence. The day is structured to support nervous system regulation, and experience the developing trust and connection possible through attending to your internal system whilst participating in shared group activities.
You don't need any experience of Constellations to attend, but all participants are asked to have some familiarity with IFS (see 'Preparation' below). If you have previously attended an IFS Constellations workshop you are welcome to enter a ballot for a constellation on the day, with other group members either participating or witnessing, both of which offer opportunities for profound personal insights and personal growth.
Ruth aims to actively work from a place of anti-oppression, cultural/neural/gender-diversity affirmation, and to uphold inclusivity, confidentiality and safety within her workshops.
PRACTICALITIES
Date: Saturday 17 May 2025
Timings:
✦ Arrivals between 9:30 AM and 9:45 AM (refreshments available)
✦ Doors close at 10:00 AM — latecomers will not be admitted
✦ Lunch hour starts around 1:30 PM / 1.45 PM
✦ Workshop ends at 6:00 PM
Venue: West Hill Hall, Compton Ave, Brighton BN1 3PS (8 min walk from Brighton Station)
Accessibility: the venue is on the ground floor with accessible toilet facilities.
Please bring:
✦ water bottle and/or flask or lidded-cup for hot drinks
✦ journal and pen (optionally also pastels and drawing pad, if you wish to bring your own)
✦ layered clothing (your temperature is likely to vary during the day)
✦ a cushion plus any other optional comfort items eg slippers, blanket
✦ optional packed lunch or there are plenty of shops and cafes nearby — drinks and snacks are provided
PRICE
Sliding scale: £200 / £150 / £100 / £60
Please leave the lowest-price places available for those with restricted resources, thank you.
If the lowest price is inaccessible for you, please email
aW5mbyB8IGNhbG1oZWFydCAhIGNvICEgdWs= stating what would be possible.
BOOK HERE:
https://buytickets.at/calmheart/1548957
FEEDBACK
"Revelatory, warm, life-affirming — and unlike any workshop I've attended before."
"A powerful, insightful and inspirational day. It felt super safe, contained and respectful."
"The extraordinarily gentle, compassionate and respectful space that Ruth creates means strangers come together, feel completely at ease and able to support each other's healing."
“Really deep work done in a safe and nurturing way.”
"I really like how IFS model is adapted for external exploration. Also how all those witnessing can engage with their own parts brought up by the constellations."
"An intimate internal experience helping me to connect with my parts deeper than I have before."
"The constellation process showed me how I can interact with my parts without being overwhelmed because the parts were represented outside of me — I found I could really observe them and meet them."
“I’m feeling really positive, less judgemental. My inner critic has quietened."
"A very safe way of doing constellations. So helpful in seeing the process of unblending happen spatially."
"I loved the feeling of connection and compassion for other people. Also seeing my parts in other people and feeling the resonance of my own parts in response to other people's process."
"Amazing to see the constellation process work, and the closeness and empathy that developing in the group."
WHAT ARE IFS CONSTELLATIONS?
Ruth Culver's unique method integrates the popular coaching/therapy modality of IFS (Internal Family Systems) with the somatic group process of Constellations.
Most people are familiar with the word ‘constellation’ in relation to stars, but the dictionary describes it simply as 'a collection of parts'. So for IFS, this means the various parts of us that react in different ways to any situation.
The original group work called Family Constellations was created by Bert Hellinger, since when many other forms have emerged, including Systemic, Corporate, IoPT and Environmental Constellations. (You can read a little more about the differences between my work and some of these other approaches here.)
You may already be familiar with Family Constellations, however IFS Constellations are notably different:
✦ we explore the internal system of 'parts' (not the external system of family members)
✦ we use the full healing protocol of IFS (not Hellinger's set-pieces & sentences)
IFS Constellations are also very different from Psychodrama and Sculpting, as these both work with known information, whereas Constellations emerge from mindful observation of somatic experiences in the moment.
The process of participating in a Constellation will be explained fully on the day. It simply involves noticing and naming thoughts, feelings and physical sensations, however many people prefer to participate purely as witnesses and often gain their deepest personal insights this way.
PREPARATION
To get the most out of the day, and benefit both your own and the group experience, it is important that you have a familiarity with IFS in advance. Suitable ways to gain this familiarity include reading "No Bad Parts" by Richard Schwartz (also available as an audiobook), having IFS therapy, attending an online course (eg PESI / IFS Institute's Online Circle / IFS-UK Introductory Day / Life Architect free intro). There are also some excellent podcasts to refresh or supplement your familiarity with IFS eg those listed here:
https://ifs-institute.com/resources/podcasts-and-teleconferences
It would also benefit you to have some awareness of the 'polyvagal' theory of the nervous system, as this underlies the workshop content throughout. This is an excellent talk by Seth Porges introducing Polyvagal Theory:
Or there are plenty of other options on Youtube if that doesn't suit your learning style. You could also watch Ruth's Youtube Intro to the Survive/Thrive Spiral, which combines IFS and Polyvagal theory:
?si=8OgGE7RF154JGpHZ
You do not need to have any prior familiarity with Constellations, however these workshops involve deep emotional exploration in a group and are therefore NOT suitable for those in acute situations, undergoing psychiatric treatment or who currently find it difficult to regulate their emotions.
If you are not sure if the workshop content is for you, please contact Ruth in advance before booking.
SELF CARE
By booking you are making your own personal assessment that you can take emotional care of yourself. If you have any doubts, please contact Ruth to discuss.
Please ensure you schedule PLENTY of time for rest and integration afterwards. The effects of this work continue to evolve during the days and weeks after a workshop, and taking things gently for 24 hours supports this process.
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR
Ruth Culver is Certified and Level 3 trained in IFS, specialising in somatic, trauma and nervous-system informed integrations. She works individually with adolescents and adults in Brighton UK) as well as being in demand internationally for her experiential online and in-person workshops, trainings and retreats.
Her interest in trauma, attachment and resilience led to the creation of the The Survive/Thrive Spiral infographic, which maps together IFS and Polyvagal Theory. It is used by mental health professionals and individuals across the globe, and can be downloaded free from her website in many languages.
Ruth has also devised two other IFS integrations: Drawing into Self: a method for doing IFS though guided intuitive drawing (for individuals and groups), and IFS Constellations: a method for doing IFS through the somatic group resonance process of constellations.
Ruth is a popular podcast guest and her work has been published in several books and journals, including "Freeing Self : IFS Beyond the Therapy Room" and "The International Journal of Trauma". She has been invited to teach at various institutions including Oxford University, and is currently building a certified training course for Drawing into Self.
WORKSHOP CANCELLATION POLICY
If you need to cancel your place, please notify us as soon as possible so we can offer it to someone else. Refunds are issued as follows:
Cancellations more than 30 days before the workshop: Full refund minus a 10% admin fee.
Cancellations 14-30 days before the workshop: 50% refund.
Cancellations less than 14 days before the workshop: No refund, unless your place can be filled from the waitlist.
In the unlikely event that we need to cancel the workshop, you will receive a full refund, or the option to transfer your booking to a future workshop.
Also check out other Workshops in Brighton, Arts events in Brighton, Fine Arts events in Brighton.
