Title: Legacy Burdens and Heirlooms of Appalachia: An IFS Perspective

Audience: Clinicians & Therapists (Prerequisite: Introduction to IFS)

Overview: In the Appalachian region, the past is never truly behind us; it lives within the nervous systems and "parts" of the people we serve. This specialized workshop moves beyond basic clinical theory to explore the Internal Family Systems (IFS) concept of Legacy Burdens—beliefs, emotions, and traumas passed down through generations.

While many models focus solely on the individual, this training equips therapists to recognize the cultural and ancestral echoes unique to Appalachian identity. We will differentiate between the burdens (shame, poverty-consciousness, or historical mistrust) and the heirlooms (deep-seated resourcefulness, storytelling, and kinship).

Key Learning Objectives:

• Identify Intergenerational Echoes: Recognize how regional history manifests as "Manager" or "Exile" parts in the Appalachian client.

• The IFS Framework: Deepen your understanding of how Legacy Burdens are acquired and how they differ from personal burdens.

• Cultural Humility in Practice: Utilize the "Self" of the therapist to navigate the unique cultural nuances and protective systems of mountain communities.

• The Unburdening Process: Learn specific strategies to help clients release ancestral trauma while reclaiming the cultural strengths that serve as their "heirlooms."