Internal Family Systems
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic model developed by Richard Schwartz in the 1980s. It is based on the idea that every person has multiple parts or subpersonalities, each with their own feelings, beliefs, and behaviours. These parts can include (among others) the inner critic, the protector, the vulnerable child, and the self.
In IFS therapy, a healthy self is characterized as a part of the person that is compassionate, wise, and calm. This part of the person is often referred to as the "Self" (with a capital S) in IFS language, and someone who is not under the control of their parts is said to be under “Self Leadership” or to be “Self-led”.
When a person is in Self-led they are able to access inner wisdom and inner compassion. They are able to make decisions that align with their values and goals, and they are able to respond to difficult situations with emotional regulation and resilience. They are also able to build a relationship of trust and understanding with each of their parts, which can lead to greater emotional regulation, integration, and psychological well-being.
In addition, people who are Self-led are also able to process and integrate past traumas, which can lead to greater emotional regulation and psychological well-being. They are able to access memories, emotions, and physical sensations associated with the traumas, and they are able to use mindfulness and visualization techniques to help them process and integrate the experience.
Overall, a healthy self in IFS therapy is characterized as a compassionate, wise, and calm part of the person that is able to access inner wisdom and inner compassion, build a relationship of trust and understanding with their parts, access inner resources, and process and integrate past traumas.
IFS therapy is based on the belief that these parts, or subpersonalities, that interact with the “Self” are not inherently bad or dysfunctional, but rather, they are each trying to protect the person (the “Self”) from pain and trauma. For example, the inner critic may be trying to keep the person from making mistakes, while the protector may be trying to keep the person safe from harm.
The goal of IFS therapy is to help the person understand and accept all of their parts, including the ones that they may not like or want to change. This is done by helping the person to identify and name their parts, and to understand the function and purpose of each part.
The therapist then helps the person to access their "Self" - the part of them that is calm, compassionate and wise - and to communicate from their “Self” with their parts in a way that is non-judgmental and empathetic. This allows the person to build a relationship of trust and understanding with each of their parts, which can lead to greater emotional regulation and psychological well-being.
Additionally, IFS therapy also encourages the person to explore and understand the past traumas that may have led to the creation of certain parts, and to use this understanding to heal and transform these parts. This process can be done by accessing memories, emotions, and physical sensations associated with the traumas, and by using mindfulness and visualization techniques to help the person to process and integrate the experience.
In conclusion, Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic model that helps individuals to understand, accept, and heal the different parts of themselves. It is based on the idea that every person has multiple parts or subpersonalities, each with their own feelings, beliefs, and behaviours. These parts can include the inner critic, the protector, the vulnerable child, and the self. IFS therapy aims to help the person to understand and accept all of their parts, including the ones that they may not like or want to change, in order to achieve greater emotional regulation and psychological well-being.
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