On-Demand Treatment Webinars

“How to Heal from Trauma Using Internal Family Systems” [Video Replay & Podcast #548]

Access the video replay, listen to the podcast episode (#548), and learn how to get a certificate of attendance for this webinar on Internal Family Systems originally broadcast on March 18, 2025.

Episode Description

Children with ADHD often face more trauma, excessive criticism, and attacks on their self-esteem than their neurotypical peers. These chronic negative experiences profoundly shape their thoughts and how they interact with the world. The reactive thought patterns and behaviors that take shape in childhood can lead to depression, anxiety, and other conditions that often impact functioning and complicate the management of ADHD throughout adulthood.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a type of talk therapy that can help people heal from trauma. It’s based on the idea that people have many different parts inside, some of which hold painful memories and beliefs related to their traumatic experiences. IFS therapy helps people understand, manage, and release the intense feelings and behaviors that such parts take on, improving coping skills and emotional regulation.

In this webinar you will learn:

  • About the link between ADHD and trauma
  • About the common forms of trauma that children with ADHD experience
  • How trauma reactions can explain certain behaviors in children at home and in school
  • How responses to trauma can impact the management of ADHD
  • About IFS therapy and why it’s particularly helpful to people who experience trauma
  • How to use IFS to understand and address the behaviors that often impede ADHD care and treatment

Watch the Video Replay

Enter your email address in the box above labeled “Video Replay + Slide Access” to watch the video replay (closed captions available) and download the slide presentation.

Download or Stream the Podcast Audio

Click the play button below to listen to this episode directly in your browser, click the symbol to download to listen later, or open in your podcasts app: Apple Podcasts; Audacy; Spotify; Amazon Music; iHeartRADIO

ADHD and Trauma: More Resources

Obtain a Certificate of Attendance

If you attended the live webinar on March 18, 2025, watched the video replay, or listened to the podcast, you may purchase a certificate of attendance option (cost: $10). Note: ADDitude does not offer CEU credits. Click here to purchase the certificate of attendance option »


Meet the Expert Speaker

Dr. Susan Bauerfeld is a licensed clinical psychologist, executive function coach, and an Internal Family Systems therapist. She has recently retired from her private psychotherapy practice but continues to provide workshops and presentations for parents of children and young adults struggling with ADHD, trauma and other issues. Through education infused with hope, support, and skill building, she has helped countless individuals cope better with anxiety disorders, trauma, learning challenges, technology management, and chronic health conditions.

Dr. Bauerfeld received her M.A. and Ph.D. from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She was a staff neuropsychologist at the Rusk Institute at NYU Medical Center and for the Center for Head Injuries at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Hospital in New Jersey.


Webinar Sponsor

The sponsor of this webinar is

Living with ADHD while navigating trauma can feel overwhelming and exhausting. Inflow gets it. Developed by leading ADHD experts, their science-backed self-help program provides proven strategies to help you manage emotional triggers, build resilience, and regain a sense of control. Take the free ADHD traits quiz to get started.


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