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Inner Relationship Focusing Certification

Become a Certified Focusing Professional
with Maureen Gallagher, PhD

This Program is
Designed for YOU if…

  • You have a one-to-one practice and work inside the world of psychotherapy, coaching, somatic therapy, pastoral care, or similar fields.

  • You have completed at least 18 sessions of S/IRF or IRF training through S/IRF or IRF Parts 1 and 2 with any IRF trainer (previously 1,2,3 and 4), or equivalent programs such as the SAT program with Maureen Gallagher, PhD or the EP Mind-Body Certificate (when taught by Maureen Gallagher, PhD), or have completed Focusing training with any trainer.

  • You’re interested in deepening and strengthening your S/IRF or IRF training, while integrating this work with your coaching, psychotherapy, somatic practice, etc.

  • You want strong supportive relationships that emphasize your clients ability to build a trusting relationship with their inner states.

  • You’re interested in learning with a small cohort that supports you in deepening your own focusing practice while expanding it into your professional practice.

‘‘

Maureen is an extraordinary knowledgeable teacher. Her ability to hold space either online or in person is in resonance while holding clear boundaries and presence. Learning from Maureen is safe and always welcoming. I’m deeply grateful to learn from Maureen's expertise clinically and experientially. Maureen' work has impacted me to trust my own process and to lean into the way I work. It has been nurturing and educational in my life. Thank you very much Maureen.”

— Ilse, Teacher of Voice & Movement, Somatic body therapy

What sets this program apart:

  • Comprehensive Support for 2 Years
    Benefit from a blend of individual and group consultations, ensuring a thorough and personalized learning experience, alongside long term relationships with others in the course.

  • Enhanced Therapeutic Techniques
    Develop advanced skills in deepening relationship with states like dissociation, freeze, shutdown, and overwhelm, broadening your therapeutic repertoire.

  • Hands-On Engagement
    You will have regular individual consultations for hands-on support in developing your practice. There will be real-time demonstrations with feedback from peers and instructors, allowing for immediate application and improvement of skills.

How we hold the big picture of the role of IRF in things like: supporting a relationship to the felt sense, attachment related issues, meeting personal goals, presenting problems, and making change last will be part of your learning experience.

You will walk away with a deep understanding of how to introduce your clients to this work, and support them in progressively engaging the therapeutic process using the skillset of inner relationship focusing.

Your primary teacher, IFI coordinator in training:

Maureen Gallagher, Phd

Licensed Psychologist

What Inner Relationship Focusing has meant to me:

I knew I was searching for something, and I knew that I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for. I found everything I didn’t know I needed within Somatic Inner Relationship Focusing — it was like coming home.

After getting to know and trying many psychological theories, spiritual and meditative practices, I quickly and deeply understood that this was my practice.

Why did this practice stand out from all the others?

Inner Relationship Focusing in concert with somatics, was the thing that dramatically and lastingly changed my relationship to myself, and I’ve watched my clients achieve similar results over and over again over the course of my decades long career. It’s remarkable what this work makes possible within us.

About Your Guides

With special guest lecturer…

Ann Weiser Cornell, PhD

Licensed Psychologist

IRF AND UNTANGLING DEVELOPER, TIFI COORDINATOR ANNE WEISER CORNELL, will introduce key topics as a guest lecturer throughout the program.

Ann Weiser Cornell, PhD, is a licensed psychologist, author, and leading worldwide authority on Focusing, the emotional self-healing method developed by her close colleague Eugene Gendlin. Over the past 30 years, she has taught Focusing in more than 20 countries and, with Barbara McGavin, developed Inner Relationship Focusing.

She has presented and led trainings at institutions such as Esalen Institute, Psychotherapy Networker Conference, NICABM, APA, the Cape Cod Institute, and Embody Lab, as well as through Focusing Resources, Inc., where she serves as President and CEO. Her books include The Power of Focusing, Focusing in Clinical Practice, and (with McGavin) Untangling: How You Can Transform What’s Impossibly Stuck.

Within 2 years, you’ll receive:

Live Group Sessions:

  • 30 weekly meetings in Year One & 32 weekly meetings in Year Two

  • 13 Demonstrations with Discussion by Maureen Gallagher, PhD, and occasional guest, Ann Weiser Cornell, PhD

  • 12 Focusing and Untangling Sessions

  • 15 Sessions of Experiential Exercises and Group Case Consultation

Individual Mentorship:

  • 8 Individual Consultations for review and feedback on your recorded sessions

    • 4 sessions with Maureen Gallagher, PhD

    • 4 sessions with a guest mentor

    And you’ll receive a discounted rate on additional private consultation sessions, if wanted.

A Study Package of Course Materials:

  • Manuals, and additional resources in pdf format

  • Anne Weiser Cornell and Barbara McGavin’s book on the Untangling process, an advanced IRF skill (will be delivered to your inbox in pdf format)

  • The Focusing Manual by Ann Weiser Cornell, PhD (PDF files), Focusing in Clinical Practice by Ann Weiser Cornell, PhD and Untangling by Ann Weiser Cornell, PhD and Barbara McGavin sun

Guest Experts Throughout the Program:

  • One class per semester taught by an Expert Guest Lecturer.

  • One Live Demonstration Session with Anne Weiser Cornell

  • One Live Class to kick off Focusing Practice with the study of her latest book, Untangling.

Communal Learning Opportunities:

  • A consistent group of students to share and support you in your learning process.

  • Book club study of Anne Weiser Cornell’s most recent book, Untangling.

  • Support in forming partnerships with other program participants – for Focusing, for consultative support, for other kinds of peer support.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2026 COHORT WILL ARRIVE IN YOUR INBOX SOON.

Keep an eye out!

(Make sure connect@maureengallagherphd.com is saved as a contact to avoid deliverability issues)