IFS: My Primary Approach
IFS is a gentle yet powerful modality centered in mindfulness and compassionate awareness. It is evidence-based, trauma-focused, and supported by neuroscience. It is also non-pathologizing, meaning it views psychological symptoms as protective aspects of you carrying important information rather than merely problems to force away.
I initially became drawn to IFS to help my clients wishing to address childhood trauma. I found it so helpful and empowering I quickly began using it with most of my other clients as well. Since then, I have received consistent feedback from clients that they feel more self-compassion, more clarity around their struggles, needs, and desires, and a greater sense of well-being.
Key assumptions of IFS:
- Each and every one of us has an innate inner wisdom capable of internal healing. (You may not believe me, and that’s OK!)
- We also all have “parts,” which manifest as thoughts, emotions, urges, and physical sensations.
- Psychological symptoms occur when these “parts” get pushed out of balance as they work to protect us from threatening, painful, or overwhelming circumstances. This may have been necessary for protection at one point in time, but problems arise when parts remain in their protective roles even after the threat has passed. An example may be a man’s “angry part” that had repeatedly protected him from being bullied as a teen lashes out years later when his boss criticizes him.
- We may initially deem some parts wanted or some unwanted, but they all have positive intent despite any negative impact. Yes, even parts driving our "bad habits" are well-intentioned and trying to help us!
- When we meet parts with curiosity and allow them to be heard, they often settle and let us help the underlying vulnerability they protect.
- The result is not only a decrease in psychological symptoms, but greater sense of balance and emotional well-being.
You can read more about IFS at www.ifs-institute.com.
It fills me with awe to see how liberating and empowering clients often find this process. Although deep, lasting healing usually takes some time, many clients quickly report feeling far less “stuck,” and that newfound clarity and creativity have been unlocked within them.
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
Carl Rogers