In today’s uncertain times, you may feel that you don’t have strong control over certain aspects of your life. To get the calm and balance you may need to help yourself gain control, you might look to outside assistance. That assistance can come in the form of IFS. What does IFS stand for? Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy aims to help you develop yourself in a way that allows you to reach an inner balance and peace while healing wounds that may bring pain. This blog endeavours to outline the benefits of IFS and the processes involved.
Key Takeaways
What is the Meaning of Internal Family Systems Therapy?
IFS is an acronym for Internal Family Systems. Contrary to the word Family in the name, this is generally a style of talk therapy with a single person* instead of members of a family group. In this case, the term “Family” refers to the theory that everyone’s personality consists of several individual components that each need their own time and space to express themselves.
This therapy was developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz in the 1980s. He realized that many of his patients described various “parts” of themselves acting in ways that resembled the actions of a family. He developed the idea of an “internal family”. He believed that family theory principles could be applied to this internal group as well as to the root “Self”. This “Self”, according to Dr. Schwartz, was unblemished and had the ability to heal the “parts” through therapy.
* While focus is on an individual’s internal conflicts, IFS can also be applied to couples or families as well.
When is Internal Family Systems Therapy Used?
Through a number of smaller case studies, it has been found that IFS counselling can treat a fairly wide range of conditions and symptoms. It is meant as a gentle approach to re-building trust between the individual’s “Self” and the various “parts” of that individual. It has been found to be effective with those suffering from:
However, Internal Family Systems therapy should not be employed with patients who suffer from severe mental illnesses. IFS therapy could magnify symptoms in people with acute illnesses as a focus on “parts” within a person could be detrimental.
At Positive Mind Wellness Inc., IFS is one method that we employ to guide you to a pain-free existence and a sense of overall well-being. Our experienced IFS and highly trained practitioners are here to serve you solely or blended in integrated family systems therapies depending on your needs.
What Can You Expect from the Internal Family Systems model?
With a qualified facilitating therapist, you can expect to reconnect and explore your own identity and the “parts” that it is made of. As the “parts” connect and communicate with the “Self”, you can expect compassionate healing of internal conflicts, a greater emotional understanding of yourself, as well as an overall balance and harmony of your personality and inner system.
The Individual Components
How Does Internal Family Systems Therapy Work?
Central to internal systems theory is the idea that the mind is composed of four distinct components. An IFS therapist can help you access your root “Self” and then reach out to the Exiles, or past traumas, with compassion and calm. The ultimate goal is to assist you to come to grips with past traumas and find an internal peace and emotional balance.
Some elements of the therapy process include:
A therapist may use different techniques for the above process. Those may include journaling about inner circumstances, using guided visualization to help communication, or accumulating mindfulness exercises that allow you to stay and live in a calm and compassionate state.
How Does Internal Family Systems Compare with Traditional Family Therapy?
In a comparison between Internal Family Systems and Traditional Family Therapy, the two therapeutic forms are different in several ways.
What are Some Common Misconceptions About Internal Family Systems Therapy?
Misconception: The word “family” in the name must refer to therapy for various members of a family.
Reality: Internal Family Systems therapy is used with individuals to heal the ‘family’ within rather than focusing on relationships between people.
Misconception: This type of therapy is only useful for people with severe trauma.
Reality: While IFS counselling is helpful for people suffering from severe trauma, IFS therapy can help people with daily stresses and promote emotional growth.
Misconception: Internal Family Systems (IFS) is similar to Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).
Reality: They are quite different. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) describes separate and distinct identities within a person. Internal Family Systems (IFS) focusses on creating wellness in different parts of a person that are contained in one identity.
Misconception: Internal Family Systems (IFS) promotes disassociation among its patients.
Reality: The goal behind IFS therapy is to encourage a harmonious connection between the ‘family’ of parts in an individual. It aims to join than to split.
Are There Pros and Cons to Internal Family Systems Therapy?
As with practically everything else in the world, there are pros and cons to IFS counselling. On the beneficial side, you may find it effective for some conditions such as PTSD, depression, and chronic pain. It helps to better connect with inner trauma, and you may be able to develop a better understanding of yourself as well as developing self-forgiveness. As therapy progresses, you may develop better inner communication and become more resilient to future difficulties.
On the other hand, this is a fairly new therapeutical method without large-scale scientific studies behind it. It may not be suitable for more severe mental conditions. As with any kind of medical professional, shortcomings and pitfalls are mitigated by locating a licensed and trained therapist in IFS.
Conclusion
Even though IFS is a relatively new therapeutic method, it has been seen to be effective with various conditions including depression and PTSD. IFS therapy is an approach that doesn’t focus on what is bad in you. Instead, IFS therapy sets a focus on building strong connections between the genuine “Self” and the “parts” to build a self-compassionate you from the inside out. The therapy doesn’t aim to pathologize; instead, it aims to energize a person’s inner communication.
There is no better time than the present to contact Positive Mind Wellness and gain a better understanding of yourself and allow for gentle healing. With us and our Internal Family Systems therapists, you can gain control over negative self-perceptions as well as gain a better understanding of yourself. Contact us today for an appointment, and we will guide you through yourself to a more peaceful tomorrow.
