From Exiled Burdens to Bold Justice: The U-Model's ACT-IFS Revolution

From Exiled Burdens to Bold Justice: The U-Model's ACT-IFS Revolution - A Social Work SIG Sponsored event

Presentation Summary

In this dynamic 90-minute interactive workshop, expert clinicians will explore the U-Model as a robust hybrid of ACT and IFS, elevating practice without rivalry. We'll demystify IFS enhancements to ACT, providing precise tools to unpack internalized macro-contexts - like cultural burdens and intersectional oppression - that often stall progress.

Attendees gain a roadmap to transcend clinical "stuckness" when individual values collide with systemic barriers, evolving "Committed Action" into bold, collective justice. Walk away with a ready-to-use handout (U-Model diagram, case worksheets, and curated resources) plus actionable prompts for seamless integration into your work.

Learning Objectives

By workshop's end, participants will be able to:

1. Identify functional alignments between core ACT processes (e.g., Self-as-Context, Defusion) and IFS elements (e.g., Self, Unblending).
2. Use the U-Model's "Descent" stages to frame internalized macro-contexts (e.g., cultural burdens) as adaptive "Protective Parts."
3. Design multi-level "Committed Actions" (Micro, Meso, Macro) via the "Ascent" stages, leveraging protectors' intentions as core client values.
4. Integrate ACT and IFS techniques to resolve impasses tied to systemic or macro-level challenges.

When: Jan 22, 2026 03:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/bjQtZxVwSMWKLOrebWWqjw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Presenter Bio

Dr. Rivka Edery, LCSW, is a clinical expert, consultant, and educator with over 16 years of experience in trauma-informed care. Trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and deeply versed in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), she develops evidence-based interventions that foster self-regulation and psychological flexibility. Dr. Edery created the U-Model, a groundbreaking framework blending ACT and IFS to connect internal healing with purposeful, value-driven action.