IFS Therapy
What is Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)?
IFS is a model of personality developed by Dr. Richard (who likes to go by Dick) Schwartz in the 1980's. He developed this model by getting lots of feedback and taking from his clients that he helped.
The theory is the everyone is multiplicity. Just like a car, body, computer down to an atom we are all made up of 'parts' and the brain and mind is the same. Think about any dilemma perhaps the party that you don't want to 100% attend, you will be in two minds maybe more. In IFS we can work with these parts as individuals sometimes from an 'inner, mindful state'. Amongst the parts is the space in which they exist this space is known as The Self in IFS, it is not a part but more an space and positive energy.
The parts in IFS theory are categorised into 3 main groups:
And there is also Self: Self is not a part but the energy field and space in which parts exist. Self feels pure, nice, clean and compassionate. It is an energy that comes from within you and the therapist that is able to heal and help parts.
Many people are loving IFS therapy around the globe. IFS is my main approach to therapy - it is powerful stuff!
IFS is a model of personality developed by Dr. Richard (who likes to go by Dick) Schwartz in the 1980's. He developed this model by getting lots of feedback and taking from his clients that he helped.
The theory is the everyone is multiplicity. Just like a car, body, computer down to an atom we are all made up of 'parts' and the brain and mind is the same. Think about any dilemma perhaps the party that you don't want to 100% attend, you will be in two minds maybe more. In IFS we can work with these parts as individuals sometimes from an 'inner, mindful state'. Amongst the parts is the space in which they exist this space is known as The Self in IFS, it is not a part but more an space and positive energy.
The parts in IFS theory are categorised into 3 main groups:
- Firefighters: These firefighters can stop you feeling hurt. They react to situations with 'high energy', they can use alcohol, drugs/substance, exercise, pain, sex, work, fight/flight/freeze/faint. Whatever it takes to protect you in that moment they will do, and they don't care how they do it!
- Managers: These parts can be like firefighters but they are not as reactive, they tend to 'run the show' most of the time. They take care of you by giving you messages "do this...", "do that...", "they'll let you down..", "it will all work out in the end" "have a cup of tea"
- Exiles: These are the parts that the above are suppressing and keeping locked away. They are child like / younger parts frozen in time through upsetting, distressing, and trauma. Sometimes they are triggered by events, and situations, but the Managers and Firefighters will quickly step in to get them back deep inside. Exiles are accessed in IFS with the protectors permission, then with Self energy and the skill of an IFS therapist can be helped to be released and healed - then the Firefighters & Managers can start to chill out and even get new roles.
And there is also Self: Self is not a part but the energy field and space in which parts exist. Self feels pure, nice, clean and compassionate. It is an energy that comes from within you and the therapist that is able to heal and help parts.
Many people are loving IFS therapy around the globe. IFS is my main approach to therapy - it is powerful stuff!
