River of Self

Sunday 29 March 2026
10am-5pm

Old Lakenham, Norwich, by the river Yare

An experiential workshop integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS), ecotherapy and mindfulness, facilitated by experienced IFS therapist Sebastiana Black.

“For the first time I don’t feel like I need to fix myself! That’s freeing in itself. Everything is welcome. A safe and playful space. I felt heard and respected and had moments of deep connection with parts of myself I hadn’t met before and also time to laugh and experience joy.” – participant at River of Self workshop 2025

“May what I do flow from me like a river, 
no forcing and no holding back,…
streaming through widening channels
 into the open sea.”
– Rainer Maria Rilke

This experiential workshop offers a gentle introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS) in a small, therapeutic group, held in creative partnership with the natural world.

Through guided practices, reflection, and nature-connection, the day supports developing a compassionate relationship with your inner system, cultivating curiosity towards your parts, and strengthening Self-leadership.

You will be introduced to your inner family of Parts — the ways you think, feel, and respond across different areas of your life. You will learn to relate with compassion to your inner community, including parts that criticise, strive for perfection, worry, analyse, withdraw, distract, or seek comfort in addictive ways. You will also be gently invited to be with more vulnerable parts that carry softer or harder-to-access emotions, such as sadness, loneliness, shame, anger, and fear.

Through creative exploration, supported by your compassionate Self (your True Nature) and the wisdom and nourishment of the natural world, you will begin to understand your parts more deeply — their intentions, origins, and the gifts they hold. As protective patterns soften, space can open for healing, change, and a growing sense of clarity and self-compassion, supporting a deeper experience of wholeness and Soul connection.

The day will also invite you into relationship with the River Yare and the natural world as it unfolds into spring, tuning into their flow, guidance, and beauty. Drawing on the support of the surrounding ecosystems, the aliveness and wisdom of the body, and the presence of the group, you may uncover a renewed sense of balance, confidence, and belonging within yourself and the wider web of life.

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The day will include:

• Introductions and landing
• Short introduction to Internal Family Systems model
• IFS-informed and nature-based meditations
• Establishing a courageous and safe space where all parts are welcome 
• Exploring parts through writing, image-making, movement, nature connection, and shared reflection
• Embodying and inviting qualities of your authentic Self energy through movement, nature connection, sound and poetry
• Time outdoors finding symbols and expression for your inner experience
• Inviting a sense of interconnectedness with the natural world through the senses and imagination
• A mix of individual, pair, and group work
• Gratitude practices and closing appreciations
• All practices are offered as invitations, with choice and self-pacing encouraged throughout.

What to bring:

• All you parts
• Clothing you are comfortable to be in both indoors and outdoors
• Blanket for extra comfort
• Cushion to sit on. Chairs will be available
• Notebook and pen
• Bottle of water
• Packed lunch

What is included:

Paper, pastels and pens will be available for image making.
Tea, coffee and snacks. IFS and other resources will be sent by email before and after the workshop.

This workshop may be helpful if you:

• Are interested in IFS and parts-based approaches, including ecotherapy and nature-connection
• Want to cultivate self-compassion and internal awareness through embodied and nature-informed practices
• Feel curious about patterns, inner conflicts, or protective strategies as well as strengths
• Are already in therapy and would like a complementary, therapeutically-held group experience

Who is it for:
Everyone is welcome. No previous experience of IFS or ecotherapy is needed. A basic familiarity with IFS may be helpful, and some introductory information and resources will be shared before the group begins.
Come if you are curious about deepening your relationship with your inner and outer landscapes and want to heal and grow.
Workshop is suitable both for people who are new to IFS and Ecotherapy and those who want to deepen their understanding.

This workshop is intended as a supportive, exploratory group experience. It may not be the right fit if you are currently in a period of significant emotional crisis, or if you are seeking intensive therapeutic support or professional training.

If you have any questions about suitability, please feel free to contact me.

“IFS groups offer an opportunity for participants to see their Parts as universally natural and part of being human. They foster insight and offer the feeling of community and the collective, felt experience of Self-energy.” Chris Burris.

​The group will be capped at 6 participants to create a safe, connected group.

Early bird before 28 February 2026: £85
Thereafter £100 or pay it forward- choose this amount to support our work and those on lower income.
Payment in instalments is possible.