What is Internal Family Systems Therapy?
I love to integrate Internal Family Systems therapy into my work with clients. I’ve found it to be liberating, empowering, and a holistic way to process through various mental health issues. If you’re interested in working together, or have questions, please contact me!
The IFS therapy definition, also known as Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the concept of the "internal family" and is practiced through what we call “parts work.” IFS therapy and the internal family concept suggests that within each person, there is a collection of distinct parts or subpersonalities that make up their personality and drive their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
IFS therapy seeks to help individuals understand and work with these different parts in order to bring about healing and self-awareness. The goal is to help people identify and understand the roles that these different parts play in their lives, and to develop a sense of Self that is able to effectively regulate and manage these parts.
One of the key principles of IFS therapy is the idea of "Self-leadership.” IFS therapy and self-leadership means that the client is encouraged to take an active role in their own healing process, rather than being passive or reliant on the therapist to fix their problems. My role as the therapist is to be a guide, helping each client explore and understand their internal experience and to develop the skills and resources needed to heal and grow.
One of the key tools of IFS therapy is the use of "parts work." This involves helping the individual to identify and name the different parts of their internal family, and to understand the roles and functions of each part. For example, an individual might identify a "protector" part that is responsible for keeping them safe, or a "wounded" part that holds onto pain and trauma from the past. Some other common parts are the Inner Critic, Inner Child, Perfectionist, the Angry Part, the Anxious Part; the list goes on and there are no bad parts.
Through this process, clients can begin to see how these different parts interact with each other and how they influence their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This understanding can then be used to make positive changes in their lives and to develop a sense of Self that is more integrated and whole.
IFS therapy can be particularly helpful for those struggling with issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship problems. It can also be useful for those seeking to increase self-awareness and to develop a sense of personal growth and well-being.
IFS Therapy and Self-Awareness
Internal family systems therapy is incredibly helpful in cultivating a strong awareness from a non-judgemental, mindful lens. By growing in curiosity and awareness about the different “parts” that show up and interact together, we are able to slow down, be present, and make conscious decisions about how we want to engage with them. Rather than moving forward out of the Anxious Part, Fearful Part, or Perfectionistic Part, a client may learn to identify their most true, authentic Self. Through increased awareness, a client inherently has more autonomy, choice, and empowerment over their internal world.
IFS Therapy and Wholeness
When we map out the different parts within our inner worlds, we are moving toward a more harmonious, integrated sense of Self. This leads toward a sense of wholeness and inner peace because we have the choice to operate out of the core Self, rather than allowing other parts to have the ultimate say in our emotions, decisions, and thoughts. By identifying and acting out of your core Self, you have the freedom to lean into the “eight C's of self leadership:” confidence, calmness, creativity, clarity, curiosity, courage, compassion, and connectedness.
IFS Therapy and Trauma
IFS is an incredible way to process past traumas. Within the framework of IFS therapy vs. other therapies is the concept of the exile parts we all hold. The exile parts are the wounded, traumatized, shamed experiences and emotions that continue to be hidden within us. You long for a sense of freedom from your past, but part of that process is having the courage to move toward your exile. IFS therapy and healing from trauma seamlessly work together. Integrating EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) and IFS therapy to reprocess therapy is an incredible way to heal, find inner wholeness, and personal growth.
IFS Therapy and Anxiety
IFS therapy can help get to know the Anxious Part that guides thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By calling it only a part of you, and not all of you, it provides just the right amount of distance. Distance from anxiety often allows us to process it from a more objective, congruent perspective. Through a lens of IFS therapy, we will work together to be curious about your Anxious Part and get to know why they developed, and what they need to step to the side.
IFS Therapy and Depression
Integrating IFS therapy and healing from depression provide hope in a time of hopelessness. Through this work, we will look at the depression you experience from a new lens, and distinguish that you are not your depression. It is only a part of you. We may explore the Hopeless part or Depressed part of you that desperately wants to feel free but instead feels empty and apathetic. With immense compassion and empathy for each part, we will move toward Self-leadership and ask the most authentic version of you to be present with you as you process and heal through the painful experience of depression.
Overall, IFS therapy and parts work offers a unique and effective approach to psychotherapy that can help individuals to understand and work with their internal experience in a way that leads to healing and personal growth. If this approach resonates with you, I’d love to explore how we can integrate IFS therapy and the internal family into our work together. You are worthy of healing, growing, and getting to know yourself in a new way. Feel free to read more blogs here. Contact me to book a session together!
xo,
Cathryn
