Internal Family Systems Therapy

IFS is a processing style of psychotherapy developed by Richard Schwartz in the 1980s. It’s based on the idea that individuals have different parts within themselves (which can lead to different styles of coping), each of these parts own unique thoughts, feelings, and behaviours (similar to an external family). These parts can sometimes conflict with each other, leading to emotional distress and dysfunctional patterns of behaviour; while blocking or interfering with one’s true connection to the self (one’s innate/intuitive being). PARTS DO NOT HAVE BAD INTENTIONS, most of them are just stuck in the past and do what they know best, in order to manage things or protect you from things that might be threatening to the system as a whole.

Through IFS therapy, we work together to explore and understand these different parts. The goal is to identify and work with these parts, acknowledge and understand them on a deeper level as means of healing them on the way to unmasking the “self” (essence of the person) which acquires what IFS calls the 8C qualities: compassion, curiosity, calm, creative, confident, courageous, connectedness.

Key principles of IFS therapy include:

1. Multiplicity of the Mind: Recognizing that individuals have multiple parts within themselves, each with its own perspective and role.

2. Self-Leadership: Facilitating the development of the Self as the leader of the internal system, guiding and coordinating the different parts; rather than the parts being in the driver seat.

3. Internal Dynamics: Understanding the relationships and interactions between different parts, including how they influence each other and the individual as a whole, including their relationships and how one shows up in them.

4. Unburdening: Helping parts release burdens, trauma, and negative beliefs they may carry, allowing them to transform into healthier roles within the internal system.

5. Self-Integration: Encouraging the integration of parts with the Self, fostering harmony and balance within the individual.