IFS Therapy
What is IFS?
IFS Therapy works like many other therapies. The process in which it’s done, however, is very different from what most people are used to. Most therapies work with thoughts, feelings, and/or in healthy actions. IFS Therapy focuses on “Parts” of you that act, think, and feel in these ways. For example, say you are worried about a relationship you have or something happening at work. A part of you may think “I can’t do this anymore”. You then feel anxious and worried, but then another part of you thinks "just say something, you are making a big deal out of this and just need to get over it." The actual words might be different for everyone, but the general premise is that a part manifest in you to accomplish a task, goal or prevent something painful from happening.
The focus of this modality is actually on the first word, internal. IFS is a model that focuses on a person’s internal system as various parts, almost like a family. Everyone in a family has different personalities that interact with each other differently. At its core, Internal Family Systems work is about relearning to trust in your Self and strengthening your capacity to deal with whatever comes your way in your inner or outer life.
How can IFS help?
IFS provides a way to regulate your emotions and improve your problem solving skills, which has implications in every area of your life from relationships to job and career performance. It is effective to address issues related to trauma, anxiety, anger, depression and many other issues that you may face daily.
What does IFS in a session look like?
There’s nothing “weird” about IFS therapy. In fact, how the therapy is conducted is largely up to you.
Typically, we work together and I will ask questions related to your internal world (thoughts, feelings, sensations) and how you may feel about a particular part or aspect of your life.
Using the IFS framework, I may encourage you to identify which of your inner parts are functioning in healthy roles and which are functioning in extreme roles. By acknowledging that there are no “bad” parts — just parts that may become frozen or dysfunctional — I can work with clients to achieve an inner balance, in which all parts communicate clearly.
In addition to talk therapy, I may recommend a variety of coping mechanisms as part of your IFS treatment, including:
- Practicing breathing and visualization exercises
- Keeping a journal
- Using diagrams to illustrate the relationships between parts
Ultimately, IFS is a permission-based and client-led treatment. You can decide which practices you’re ready for and when.
IFS Therapy works like many other therapies. The process in which it’s done, however, is very different from what most people are used to. Most therapies work with thoughts, feelings, and/or in healthy actions. IFS Therapy focuses on “Parts” of you that act, think, and feel in these ways. For example, say you are worried about a relationship you have or something happening at work. A part of you may think “I can’t do this anymore”. You then feel anxious and worried, but then another part of you thinks "just say something, you are making a big deal out of this and just need to get over it." The actual words might be different for everyone, but the general premise is that a part manifest in you to accomplish a task, goal or prevent something painful from happening.
The focus of this modality is actually on the first word, internal. IFS is a model that focuses on a person’s internal system as various parts, almost like a family. Everyone in a family has different personalities that interact with each other differently. At its core, Internal Family Systems work is about relearning to trust in your Self and strengthening your capacity to deal with whatever comes your way in your inner or outer life.
How can IFS help?
IFS provides a way to regulate your emotions and improve your problem solving skills, which has implications in every area of your life from relationships to job and career performance. It is effective to address issues related to trauma, anxiety, anger, depression and many other issues that you may face daily.
What does IFS in a session look like?
There’s nothing “weird” about IFS therapy. In fact, how the therapy is conducted is largely up to you.
Typically, we work together and I will ask questions related to your internal world (thoughts, feelings, sensations) and how you may feel about a particular part or aspect of your life.
Using the IFS framework, I may encourage you to identify which of your inner parts are functioning in healthy roles and which are functioning in extreme roles. By acknowledging that there are no “bad” parts — just parts that may become frozen or dysfunctional — I can work with clients to achieve an inner balance, in which all parts communicate clearly.
In addition to talk therapy, I may recommend a variety of coping mechanisms as part of your IFS treatment, including:
- Practicing breathing and visualization exercises
- Keeping a journal
- Using diagrams to illustrate the relationships between parts
Ultimately, IFS is a permission-based and client-led treatment. You can decide which practices you’re ready for and when.