About IFS
Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
Internal Family Systems therapy is founded on the idea that the human mind is naturally multiple: we are all comprised of numerous subpersonalities, called "parts". Parts represent our humanity and help us function and interact in the world. Each of has many parts, and they all have natural gifts and talents for us. However, traumatic events cause our vulnerable, often youngest parts to take on negative beliefs about themselves and the world (called "burdens") and remain frozen in the time and place of their wounding. "Protector" parts learn to take on extreme roles to protect these vulnerable parts and "exile" them out of consciousness in order to keep the system from being overwhelmed by trauma and pain. However, in addition to our parts, IFS believes that each of us has a core essence that is unharmed by trauma-- our "Self" or "Self-energy." Our Self is innately compassionate, calm, confident and clear, and has a spiritual quality. IFS therapy helps clients access their Self-energy and unlock its power to restore healing and balance to our systems. By understanding that all parts have positive, protective intentions, and maintaining that all human beings already have the power to heal deep within themselves, IFS represents a profoundly non-pathologizing and transformative modality.
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IFS is an evidenced-based practice proven to help treat a vast range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, addictions, and eating disorders.
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If you'd like to learn more about the IFS model of healing, the following video may be useful.