What is Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy ?
IFS therapy sees every human being as a system of protective and wounded inner parts led by a core Self. As IFS therapists, we believe the mind is naturally multiple and that that is a good thing.
But just like members of a family, inner parts can be forced from their valuable, healthy states into extreme roles within us, and also develop strained relationships with each other. We probably all find ourselves saying sometimes : “A part of me wants to [do this or that], but another part of me [hates that idea!]”.
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However, Self is also in everyone. Our core Self can’t be damaged, and it knows how to heal the inner parts. IFS therapy creates inner and outer connectedness by helping people first access more of their Self and, from that core, come to identify, understand and heal their parts. These parts are often categorized as "exiles," "managers," and "firefighters."
The goal is to foster a harmonious relationship among these parts, softening extreme protective strategies and healing the wounding of the exiles. This allows people to develop greater self-awareness, agency, a reduction of all sorts of struggles and symptoms, and a greater sense of wholeness.
IFS emphasizes self-compassion and understanding, encouraging clients to develop a stronger sense of a Self that can lead and integrate their parts effectively.
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IFS can be used to address a wide variety of issues, including trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. IFS can be particularly useful in healing the effects of complex childhood trauma, including childhood abuse and neglect in all its forms. It is often these difficult early life experiences that are underlying the emotional and psychological difficulties we experience in our daily lives.
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More information about IFS therapy
