What Is Internal Family Systems Therapy?
Often called Parts Work, Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a non-pathologizing therapeutic approach that addresses symptoms of trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. IFS maintains that each person is made up of many parts. Each part was developed to help us survive difficult periods or conditions of our lives.
"Just as we relate better to people when we know their names, we also relate better to parts when they have a label that signifies something about their identity."
- Richard Schwartz
Let’s meet our parts:
Exiles are our vulnerable parts that are hidden from the conscious self to protect the system or the part itself. They can appear as the following:
Shame Anger
Fear/Terror Dependency
Grief/Loss Loneliness
Managers are responsible for protecting our vulnerable parts, the exiles. They exert control over situations or people to prevent the internal system from feeling emotionally overwhelmed. Managers include:
Controller Striver
Passive Pessimist Planner
Caretaker
When the managers' repressive efforts to prevent the exiles from being triggered don't work, firefighters step in to help. They are emergency response workers who show up to extinguish emotional pain by using extreme tactics that managers detest. Firefighters appear as:
Substance Addiction Shopping
Video Games Dissociation
Fantasy Binging
Distraction Violence
Suicidality Obsession
Sex Diet
Exercise Sleep
What is the Self?
Considered the true self, the Self doesn't have to be created; it only has to be uncovered. Seven innate qualities of the self:
Compassion Curiosity
Courageous Clarity
Calm Creative
Connected
What is the goal of IFS therapy?
1. Restore/unburden extreme or wounded parts.
2. Establish a healthy and harmonious internal system that’s coordinated by the Self.
Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with Elese - Therapy in Walnut Creek.
