08/05/2023
🧡 What is IFS?
I often use IFS with clients as part of the BFREE program. Because there is often a lot of conflict inside, parts of you that hate the bfrb, parts that enjoy, parts that are ashamed of it, all jostling.
So what is IFS and how does it help?
Internal Family Systems is a therapeutic approach developed by family therapist Dick Schwarz, based on the foundation that a person is made of multiple 'parts' or sub personalities, each with thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
This might resonate if you've ever noticed part of you that want one thing, and another part that wants something else!
Our parts can sometimes conflict with each other that can cause turmoil, distress and feeling stuck, but they can also work together to heal, grow and live fully.
In IFS therapy and coaching, the therapist helps the client identify, map and understand their parts and guides compassionate interaction and negotiation with them.
The goal is to create inner harmony with a clients parts existing peacefully together, working together and enjoying their talents and life. The client learns to be curious and compassionate to their parts.
A key tenant is there are no bad parts, only some that had to take on extreme roles to survive and can receive help.
IFS has been found to be effective in a treating a wide range of mental and emotional issues, including trauma, addiction, undesired behaviours, depression, anxiety and and also understanding emotional roots to physical expressions such as immune disorders, chronic fatigue, unexplained pains, and insomnia.
To learn more about getting to know and help your parts, drop me a message.