It’s a gentle, yet powerful approach for processing trauma, reducing shame and, ultimately, accessing the power of self-healing.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is based on the understanding that people aren’t two-dimensional. They’re dynamic and adaptive, with many different parts to their personality. Similar to what happens in families, different parts of ourselves take on different roles to cope with stress, conflict and uncertainty.
IFS is centered around the following principles:
- We’re all made up of many different parts. These parts represent experiences and coping strategies we’ve used throughout our lives.
- There aren’t “bad” parts; just parts that have become extreme in their attempts to protect us.
- At our core, we have a “self” that represents who we truly are. While we may struggle to connect with our self, it’s always there. Accessing the self invites compassion, confidence, clarity, and a greater sense of calm.
- As we make space for, learn from, and begin to trust all the parts of ourselves, we can grow and heal.
Examples of common parts include :
- Critical, logical, high-performing, or care-taking parts
- People-pleasing, indecisive, angry, self-harming or substance-using parts
- Younger parts that are triggered when we feel shame, rejection, helplessness or hopelessness
IFS integrates well with EMDR and other trauma-informed methods of Psychotherapy.
To learn more about IFS and how it can support you, please check out the following resources:
- What is Internal Family Systems? (Youtube video)
- The Most Radical Way to Heal: Internal Family Systems with Dr. Becky Kennedy (Apple Podcast)
- Anxiety Meditation using IFS Protocols for Relaxation (Youtube video)
This video introduces a simple way to begin to embrace our different parts:
Interested in IFS? Book a free consultation with Gillian or reach out for more information.