Email: contact@souliology.com
TRAUMA AND DISSOCIATION INFORMED INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS
A NON-RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENTIAL WORKSHOP WITH JOANNE TWOMBLY
CONNECTICUT, OCTOBER 19-23, 2026
A little about Joanne …
Joanne H. Twombly, MSW, LICSW (Pronouns: she/her/hers) is a psychotherapist in private practice in Arlington, MA. She has over thirty years of experience working with C-PTSD and dissociative disorders and provides trainings and consultation.
Besides her book, Trauma and Dissociation Informed Internal Family Systems, she has written on EMDR and Dissociative Disorders, on EMDR and Internal Family Systems, and on working with perpetrator introjects. Her commitment to helping her clients heal and to providing quality training has resulted in her becoming an EMDR Consultant and a Trauma and Recovery Humanitarian Assistance Program Facilitator, Internal Family Systems Certified, and an American Society for Clinical Hypnosis Consultant.
She is a past president of the New England Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. In recognition of her achievements and her service on committees and the Board of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), she was honored with ISSTD’s Distinguished Achievement Award and is an ISSTD Fellow. Joanne was also honoured to receive the Frank M. Putnam Award at the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation’s Annual Conference in Boston for her book Trauma and Dissociation-Informed Internal Family Systems (2nd Edition). This prestigious award recognises an outstanding book that makes a significant contribution to our understanding of trauma and dissociation.
For more about Joanne, you can visit her website at: https://www.joannetwombly.net/#section-A
What to expect from this 5-day retreat style workshop with Joanne…..
Integrating IFS with the wealth of knowledge from the C-PTSD and dissociation world is where the power and healing are for clients with C-PTSD and Dissociative Disorders. If you or your client is getting worse, struggling during the week, and needs more and more support from you, this workshop can help by integrating dimensions into the already excellent framework of standard IFS.
During this 5-day experiential workshop, you will learn to give your clients a chance to have more safety, control, and choices by helping them develop coping skills and learning how to titrate witnessing. They will heal more comprehensively and more efficiently by missing problems like increased anxiety, backlash from overwhelmed parts, excess difficulty managing during the week, and increased risk of self-destructive behaviours.
Although, not every client will need the strategies and knowledge taught during this workshop, it’s practical to be able to recognise when your clients need them and how integrating them can be extremely beneficial.
During this non-residential experiential workshop you will gain the knowledge of how to treat clients with complex trauma safely, respectfully, ethically and successfully.
This workshop will include case examples, personal experiences, demos and clinical exercises to enhance your learning as well.
Please note: This 5-Day workshop is limited to 40 participants and is open to IFS informed therapists/practitioners. We require a minimum of 24 participants for this workshop to proceed so please do not make travel arrangements until you have been formally advised in writing that the workshop is proceeding. If we do not get the required numbers for the workshop to proceed, we will refund all fees paid to Souliology towards the workshop cost only.
Learning Objectives:
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An integration of the powerful treatment modality of IFS with the wealth of knowledge from the Dissociative Disorder/Complex-PTSD field.
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Strategies to strengthen and support managers’ ability to manage.
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Coping skills and affect management for all parts that will help clients get through the healing process more efficiently and protect their daily functioning.
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The ability to identify when your client is on the dissociative spectrum.
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The ability to use basic hypnotic language to enhance treatment, to recognize and use clients’ innate trance abilities, and to enhance use and impact of the basic IFS process through simple hypnotic wording.
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Parts growing and learning to work together.
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An understanding of the value and use in treatment of non-verbal communication, countertransference, projective identification, and reenactments.
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And finally, during the week Joanne will address and clarify misunderstandings between the IFS (Internal Family Systems) approach and complex trauma/dissociative disorders.
Recommended Reading:
Joanne's most recent book, entitled “Trauma and Dissociation Informed Internal Family Systems” was released on March 13th, 2024.
Reading the book prior to the workshop will support getting the most out of your experience but it is not essential and there is no obligation to do so.
You can purchase the book by clicking the attached link. https://www.amazon.com/Trauma-Dissociation-Informed-Internal-Systems/dp/B0CY8VDW39?ref_=ast_author_dp
For more information about Joanne, please visit her website at https://joannetwombly.net/
Please note that this workshop is only open to participants who are IFS informed as an in-depth understanding of IFS therapy and parts work is essential to get the most from this retreat.
The Non-Residential Workshop Location
Avon Old Farm Hotel is the perfect place for our 5-day non-residential experiential workshop.
Nestled amidst 10 acres of breathtakingly manicured grounds on Connecticut’s scenic Talcott Mountain, Avon Old Farms Hotel is a haven of peace and timeless New England charm.
Just a short drive from downtown Hartford, and a 30-minute Uber drive from Bradley International Airport, the hotel offers a serene sanctuary where nature and luxury harmonise.
During the mid-day breaks or lunchtime, you can wander through picturesque gardens blooming with vibrant flowers, cross a charming wooden bridge over a gentle stream, or find a moment of quiet reflection in the garden gazebo.
Avon Old Farms Hotel creates the perfect space to learn and fully engage in this experiential workshop with Joanne, allowing for deep connection, renewal, self-exploration, and personal growth.
While this workshop is offered as a non-residential program, participants are very welcome to stay at the hotel during the workshop week—particularly if you are traveling from out of town or wish to avoid long commute times.
We have negotiated a discounted bed-and-breakfast rate exclusively for workshop participants who choose to stay on site. Accommodation is optional and is not included in the workshop fee. Once you are formally registered and approved to attend, we will share the discounted booking link with you.
Workshop Particulars
Applications are currently open for this non-residential experiential workshop in Connecticut from October 19-23, 2026.
The workshop will take place over 5 days starting at 3pm on Monday afternoon, October 19th and concluding Friday, October 23rd, 2026 at 12pm.
NON-RESIDENTIAL WORKSHOP COST: $1,500.
The workshop cost includes the 5-day experiential workshop itself with Joanne Twombly, and a delicious lunch served each day during the workshop schedule to include vegetarian options. There will also be tea/coffee breaks with refreshments mid morning and mid afternoon during the workshop hours.
An application form will be available to you once you register your interest.
This workshop is limited to 40 participants. If you are interested in participating, please register your interest. You will then be directed automatically to a registration form for completion. Only applicants who complete a full registration form will be considered for this workshop. Once your registration is approved we will advise you formally and it is only at this point that we will request a $500 non-refundable and non-transferable deposit to reserve and secure your place.
Workshop Schedule:
5-Day Non-Residential Experiential Workshop Schedule – This is a broad outline of what the schedule for the week will look like but please note it is subject to change at the workshop leaders discretion.
Monday October 19th – Friday October 23rd, 2026
Monday
Tuesday, Wednesday &
Thursday
Friday
2pm - 3pm
3pm – 6pm
10am – 1pm
1pm
2pm – 5pm
9am – 12pm
12.30pm
Lunch
Afternoon Session
Morning Session
Lunch
Afternoon Session
Morning Session
Lunch and workshop close
Please note we will serve teas/coffees and refreshments during our morning and afternoon breaks which will usually be at 11.30am and
4.30pm daily during the retreat Hours.
If you decide to stay at the hotel throughout the workshop, Hotel Check-In is strictly from 3pm on Monday October 19th and check out is strictly by 11am on October 23rd. You can store your luggage at reception before check in on Monday if required and after check out on Friday until the workshop closes.
Your Investment:
Total Non-Residential Workshop Cost: - $1,500(USD) per participant.
Workshop Payment Schedule: We are delighted to offer flexibility with our payment options. You have two choices: you can make full payment now of $1,500 (USD) or you can opt for our convenient payment plan. The payment plan breaks down the workshop cost into 2 convenient payments as follows:
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Payment 1: $500 (USD) Non-Refundable and Non-Transferable Deposit – (Due on acceptance onto the workshop).
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Payment 2. $1,000 (USD) due by July 19th, 2026 - Strictly Non-Refundable and Non-Transferable
PLEASE NOTE: If the Payment 2 instalment is not received within two weeks of the Payment 2 instalment deadline, we will regrettably need to offer your place to another participant on our waiting list and you will forfeit your non-refundable and non-transferable deposit.
If you register for the workshop after the specified payment option deadlines outlined above, the existing payment options will no longer be available and you will be required to pay for the workshop in full.
