IFS
IFS
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a modality of therapy that conceives of every human being as having multiple parts to their system – some of these parts are protective and some are wounded. Throughout our lives we have experiences that can cause wounds. When this happens sometimes the wounds are not repaired and we carry those forward with us as “parts,” complete with limiting beliefs, intense emotions and difficult memories.
At the same time, we develop protective “parts” (behaviors, actions, thoughts) that try to keep the wound from happening again. Unfortunately, these protectors often create more of what they are trying to stop. (i.e. A protective part that is afraid of intimacy might isolate, creating safety, but even less intimacy and more isolation and loneliness.)
So, some parts are forced into extreme roles for safety and protection while other parts carry the pain of wounding.
In addition to our parts, IFS believes there is a Self – Self in everyone, it cannot be damaged, it is the seat of consciousness, our “inner essence,” the “spirit within.” Self shines like the sun, but, like the sun being hidden on cloudy days, Self can be difficult to access when our parts become extreme. The sun doesn’t stop shining; nor does Self become damaged or broken.
Through inner connection from Self to our parts, we are able to help them move back into valuable, moderated roles and out of their extreme roles. In this way, clients find relief from the intensity of their protective parts and are able to live a more Self-led life, experiencing the characteristics of self, including confidence, calmness, compassion, courageousness, creativity, clarity, curiosity and connectedness.
IFS is an evidence-based, non-pathologizing mode of psychotherapy. It has been successfully used for decades for many forms of mental health including PTSD, CPTSD, addiction, eating disorders, relationship distress, depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder and many, many more.
Our therapists are IFS trained and employ the model in how we conceptualize mental health, our clients’ struggles and how we practice psychotherapy.