Working with the Inner Critic

Working with the Inner Critic:
An Internal Family Systems Approach for the Buddhist Practitioner

March 7, 2026
9:00am-4:00pm

We all know what it is like to feel terrible about ourselves due to self-criticism.  It sometimes occurs in our relationships, sometimes based on early events, and sometimes due to later traumatic incidents. Certainly, in spiritual traditions, where there are many suggestions for optimal behavior and practice, there is a tidal wave of opportunities for painfully feeling, “I am falling short. I am bad.”

As a therapist and Buddhist teacher, I have become aware that the system of understanding human behavior called internal Family Systems (IFS), has helpful ways of explaining our internal experience and skillful ways of working to alleviate self-criticism and blame. We have found a senior IFS consultant who has agreed to share helpful perspective on working with ourselves to soften the terrible slings and arrows of self-hate. 

This one-day event is not an alternative to therapy, nor is it offered as therapy, but rather as helpful guidance to Buddhist practitioners for ways of more kindly being with ourselves, in line with Buddhist values of love, compassion, mindfulness, and self-awareness. 

 Presenter: Fran Booth, Clinical Social Worker, over 40 years’ experience, trainer with the iFS institute, and experience working, teaching, and supervising at numerous mental health organizations.

 Moderator and Facilitator: Harvey B. Aronson, Clinical Social Worker, and Lama at Dawn Mountain, Tibetan Buddhist Center, with 40 years of clinical experience and over 50 years working with students studying Buddhism. 

Fee:  $175/$150/$125*
          Full members may receive a 20% discount from your selected level by entering MEMBER20 in the coupon code**

*Dawn Mountain offers a tiered pricing system to accommodate diverse financial situations.  We encourage those with greater means to contribute at higher levels, helping to sustain programming for those with limited resources.  As always, no one will be turned away due to financial constraints.  Below is an explanation of our pricing structure:

Tier 1:  A contribution above the cost that helps uphold Dawn Mountain's commitment to ensuring no one is turned away due to financial need.
Tier 2:  A contribution that covers the operation costs of your participation in this program.
Tier 3:  A reduced-cost option for those who wish to participate and support Dawn Mountain but may not be able to pay the full cost.

If you are unable to contribute at the lowest level, call Jerri at 713-630-0354 or email info@dawnmountain.org to offer your heart-felt alternative tuition BEFORE completing this registration.

Dawn Mountain is a 501[c]3 not-for-profit relying upon broad and substantial philanthropic support to balance our budget.  Please support us here.

**Full membership - annual fee of $480 or more
  Basic membership - annual fee of $479 or less
  Full Dzogchen Cycles - students who pay Cycles tuition for the full program.  This does not include those who participate on an a-la-carte basis.