IFS Therapy

Internal Family Systems Therapy

Therapists use IFS therapy to treat trauma by helping clients safely explore and heal the parts of themselves that carry the burden of traumatic experiences.

In the IFS treatment model, these parts are often referred to as "exiles" because they hold intense emotions and memories that have been pushed away to protect the individual from overwhelming pain. 

We guide clients in accessing their Self, the core compassionate and wise aspect of their personality, to create a safe and nurturing inner environment. Through this process, clients can gently approach these exiled parts, allowing them to express their pain and trauma.

As therapists, we facilitate a dialogue where the Self can listen, understand, and provide comfort and healing to the exiled parts. By doing so, the traumatic memories are processed, and the intense emotions are integrated into the overall self-system in a way that reduces their distressing impact. This leads to a more harmonious and balanced internal system, where the traumatic parts are no longer isolated but are healed and reintegrated into the person's psyche.

How IFS Therapy Heals

IFS therapy is helpful because it allows individuals to understand and heal the different parts of themselves, leading to greater self-awareness, inner harmony, and emotional healing. By recognizing that our minds are composed of various parts with distinct roles and emotions, IFS helps people see that these parts are not inherently bad but are trying to protect us in their own ways. This perspective reduces self-criticism and promotes self-compassion, enabling individuals to address deep-rooted issues and traumas more effectively. It helps in reducing internal conflicts and fostering a sense of inner balance and calm.

Connecting with the Self through IFS

At our practice, we often use IFS by guiding clients to connect with their Self, the calm and compassionate core of their being. Through a series of structured conversations and exercises, therapists help clients identify and understand their different parts, including exiles, managers, and firefighters.

As therapists, we create a safe and supportive environment where you as the client can explore their inner world without judgment. We facilitate dialogues between the Self and the various parts, helping clients to listen to, understand, and heal the parts that hold pain or protective behaviors. Over time, this process helps you integrate these parts harmoniously, leading to lasting emotional and psychological well-being.

IFS Therapy Simplified: Your Parts

Internal Family Systems (IFS) theory is a type of therapy that helps people understand and heal the different parts of themselves. It's based on the idea that our mind is made up of various "parts", each with its own feelings, thoughts, and roles.

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

1. Parts: Imagine your mind is like a family. Each member (part) has a different personality and job. Some parts might be scared, some might be angry, and others might be happy or protective.
2. The Self: At the center of this "family" is the Self. The Self is calm, compassionate, and wise. It's the part of you that can understand and help all the other parts get along better.
3. Exiles: These are parts of you that hold pain or trauma from past experiences. They might feel hurt, rejected, or scared and often get "pushed away" because their feelings are hard to deal with.
4. Managers: These parts try to keep everything under control and protect you from feeling the pain of the exiles. They might make you work really hard, be a perfectionist, or avoid certain situations.
5. Firefighters: When the exiles' pain breaks through, these parts try to distract you quickly, often in ways that might not be healthy, like overeating, drinking, or getting angry.

IFS therapy helps you get to know these different parts of yourself. By understanding and listening to them, you can help them heal and work together better. The goal is to let your Self lead, so you feel more balanced and at peace.