IFS Therapy
What Is Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy?
We can all relate to holding different thoughts and feelings simultaneously. And sometimes together they are confusing, complex, and even in conflict. Internal Family Systems Therapy is a psychotherapeutic modality that is designed to help us explore and understand the different aspects or "parts" of our personality, and to facilitate healing and integration within the internal system. It is a holistic wellness therapy approach that advocates we have the power to reach our wellness potential using what is already inside us.
Internal Family Systems Therapy was developed in the 1980s by family therapist Dr. Richard C. Schwartz. Dr. Schwartz discovered IFS when he noticed the variety of distinct parts among his patients’ personalities. His pioneering efforts in this field have propelled IFS into a widely recognized form of psychotherapy.
How Does IFS Therapy Work?
At the heart of the IFS modality is the belief that the mind is naturally multiple, and that we have various parts, each with its own unique perspective, feelings, thoughts, and memories. And that there are no bad parts--each part plays a specific role for a specific reason.
IFS Therapy is a collaborative During IFS sessions I guide clients in gaining a greater understanding of their internal system. The process involves identifying and acknowledging the different parts, particularly those that carry burdens of pain or trauma. These parts are often categorized into three roles: managers, exiles, and firefighters.
Manager parts: attempt to keep you safe by maintaining control and preventing pain. These parts can look like perfectionism, rigidity, overachievement, controlling, intellectualizing, emotional stunting/containment, avoidance, or even anxiety.
Firefighter parts: reactionary to situations and feelings, often impulsive or protective behaviors. These parts can look like numbing, suppressing, or distracting behaviors like depression, substance use, addiction, food-related behaviors, escapism, dissociation, self-harm or defiance.
Exile part(s): carry the burdens and negative emotions from past trauma or unhealed wounds, which managers and firefighter parts work to protect.
By recognizing these parts and the deep-seated beliefs that accompany them, the therapy works to reduce internal conflict and help the parts find new roles or positive interactions within the internal system. A crucial aspect of IFS is to strengthen the core self which possesses qualities such as compassion, curiosity, confidence, and calmness. This self-led healing process empowers individuals to harmonize their parts, creating a more balanced inner life and promoting healing and growth.
Who Can Benefit From IFS Therapy?
IFS therapy can be transformative for individuals experiencing a range of challenges. It is particularly beneficial for those needing trauma-informed care, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, and substance abuse counseling. Furthermore, this therapy is suitable for persons with a history of abuse, chronic self-criticism, lower self-esteem or self worth, or those having interpersonal conflicts.
Because this individual psychotherapy focuses on healing by way of being known to self and personal empowerment, IFS provides tools leading to your optimal wellness on deep levels. In addition to IFS we may also utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Therapy just to name. a few. It is my goal to incorporate a tailored variety of modalities to support your internal alignment and who you are made to be.
Find Out How Internal Family Systems Therapy Can Help You
To find out more about Internal Family Systems with Be Known Wellness Group, email, call 857-505-1856, or visit our contact page to schedule a free 15-minute call.