Your Inner Security Squad: Manager & Firefighter Parts

Your Inner Security Squad: Recognizing Manager & Firefighter Parts (2HR)

$32.00

Course Description

This mini Internal Family Systems course offers a beginner’s look at the protective roles of Manager and Firefighter sub-personality parts within the IFS model. Participants will delve into the development and functions of these protector parts, understanding how they operate with a positive agenda to shield vulnerable and emotionally overwhelming younger parts of the psyche (hint: there are No Bad Parts!). Through a combination of theoretical instruction, practical exercises, and real-life client anecdotes, attendees will learn to identify and differentiate between Manager and Firefighter parts plus comprehend their motivations and fears. Attendees will also learn to apply basic interview techniques to engage these protectors effectively, as shown in a live facilitator demonstration with a participant volunteer (is it you?!). By the end of the course, clinicians will be equipped with foundational skills to recognize and understand clients’ protective parts, enhancing their therapeutic practice and highlighting next steps to become IFS-informed.

Upon completion of the training, participants will be able to:

Differentiate between Manager and Firefighter protector parts within the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model.
Explain the development of protector parts.
Apply basic techniques to engage and build relationships with Manager and Firefighter parts.

Social workers completing this course receive 2 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.

For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 2 Clinical continuing education training.

Course Instructor: Dreya Blume, LCSW

Recording Date: 10/30/2025

Course Format

NBCC ACEP # 7091, CE Training Workshops has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP #7091. Programs that do not qualify are clearly identified. CE Training Workshops is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. CE Training Workshops designates this continuing education activity for 3 continuing education hours.

CE Training Workshops, LLC, #1770, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/02/2025 to 08/02/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical continuing education credits.

Meet Your Facilitator

Sarah Czopek is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who pivoted from an undergraduate career in classical voice and music business to then pursue her Masters in Professional Counseling from Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. Currently an Illinois resident, Sarah is the founder of Grace & Gratitude Counseling, a niche practice of women serving women and teen girls with anxiety and trauma in the greater Chicagoland area. Dually certified in EMDR and IFS (Level 3), Sarah is passionate about blending these modalities along with creative elements into her work as a trauma-informed therapist, as well as providing interactive, experiential training and mentorship to other professionals.

Before starting her group practice, Sarah served as a family counselor in a therapeutic day school, helping families of children with special needs navigate everything from IEP meetings and in-home supports to trauma and behavioral crises. Now the parent of a “2e” kiddo herself, Sarah is an advocate for neurodiversity awareness, school choice, and regulated parenting. In her free time, Sarah can be found with her husband and two children, her church family, a delightful backyard garden, and cup-after-cup of loose leaf tea. Don’t be surprised if you spot her Sheepadoodle, Emmy, or Cornish Rex kitten, Hershey, in the background of her trainings!

Syllabus

Introduction

This course explores the roles of Manager and Firefighter protector parts within the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. Participants will learn how these parts develop, how they function to protect the system, and how clinicians can work with them effectively to support healing and internal balance.

Objective 1: Differentiate Between Manager and Firefighter Parts

Participants will examine the defining characteristics of Manager and Firefighter protector parts. The course will explore their distinct roles, job functions, and how they differ in terms of proactive versus reactive responses to perceived threat or distress.

Objective 2: Explain the Development of Protector Parts

This section focuses on how protector parts emerge in response to trauma and unmet emotional needs. Participants will explore internal motivations, protective fears, and the ways these parts attempt to maintain safety and stability within the system.

Objective 3: Apply Techniques to Engage Manager and Firefighter Parts

Participants will learn foundational strategies for working with protector parts in therapy. Topics include using targeted interview questions, practicing Direct Access, and cultivating Self-energy to build trust and facilitate internal collaboration.

Summary and Q&A

The course concludes with a summary of key concepts and an opportunity for discussion and reflection to support clinical application of IFS principles.