PATH is an international, online recovery community rooted in Internal Family Systems (IFS) for the Practice of Addiction and underlying Trauma Healing.
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Awareness and Connection
Published 26 days ago • 3 min read
Awareness & Connection
By David Kerwin
Insight Three: We Live in a Body - May I respectfully seek awareness and connection.
As a man in the western world, we are taught many lessons about masculinity. One of those lessons is how our body serves us as we move through the world. As a breach birth I sustained several orthopedic and neurological injuries that have continued throughout my life. I definitely carry shame about my body and its inability to function as "it should". It has only been through the healing of Internal Family Systems, that I have come to embrace and accept my body as it is. While I have always had body self consciousness, many do not even notice my birth injuries.
In Brene Brown's work of Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations she shares the following on shame,
"If you put shame in a petri dish and cover it with judgment, silence, and secrecy, you’ve created the perfect environment for shame to grow until it makes its way into every corner and crevice of your life. If, on the other hand, you put shame in a petri dish and douse it with empathy, shame loses its power and begins to wither. Empathy creates a hostile environment for shame - an environment it can’t survive in, because shame needs you to believe you’re alone and it’s just you."
For myself, this encapsulates the lessons of a healing process in this world. I have learned and practiced honesty, openness and reluctantly vulnerability. I have sought awareness and connection with my body. This connection has helped to energize my self energy and overall healing. My hope is that all of us seek awareness and connection of our body containers.
David Kerwin is a PATH Facilitator. David has over 40+ years of recovery & 20+ years of IFS experience. He has been a professional registered nurse for nearly 50 years. He owns a Life, Addiction & Internal Family System Coaching practice. He is a certified supervisor/senior addiction counselor as well as a certified dual diagnosis counselor. He is Level I, II & III IFS trained. He is also trained in Advanced Intimacy From Inside Out IFS Counselor. He has been with his wife for over 50 years. They are proud parents of 4 adult children and 7 grandchildren. David is a retired Master Gardener & loves to paint in pastels & watercolors.
In service to PATH’s mission to expand access and application of internal family systems (IFS) for addiction and underlying trauma healing, we are happy to announce an opportunity for existing and aspiring IFS practitioners with one of our community partners, the Global Trauma Institute. The Global Trauma Institute (GTI) is an education, certification and governing body advancing trauma-sensitive care for mental health professionals, peers, educators, and leaders. GTI offers many programs that align deeply with PATH's commitment to trauma-informed, compassionate healing and currently has open enrollment for:
Both programs have cohorts beginning in August 2026. These courses can serve as qualifying prerequisites for the IFS Institute's Coaching Courses and for any Practitioner that has completed Level 1+ who is seeking IFS Certification.
Since the IFS Institute's February 2024 decision to create separate clinical and non-clinical training tracks, many have been exploring new pathways for continuing professional development. If you’re new to professional training these GTI programs provide a pathway to IFS training in non-clinical applications, grounded in the same principles of self-compassion and trauma-informed care that guide our PATH community.
For IFS Level 1-3 Trained Practitioners, GTI's professional standards certification meets the new requirements for IFS Certification, preserving your previous training investment.
These programs offer:
✓ Professional credentials recognized by the IFS Institute
✓ Deep understanding of trauma-informed practices
✓ Skills to support others in their healing journey
✓ Connection with a community of compassionate practitioners
If you are ready to begin or continue your professional IFS journey, you can register for GTI's upcoming courses here: Global Trauma Institute
PATH programs are funded by the generous contributions of our members and communities, and we appreciate your support. To make a donation, visit: https://gofund.me/c248afb4
PATH is an international, online recovery community rooted in Internal Family Systems (IFS) for the Practice of Addiction and underlying Trauma Healing.
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