IFS
Internal Family
Systems Therapy
At the heart of Internal Family Systems therapy is the belief that there is a calm, compassionate core ‘Self’ within each of us. We also have many ‘parts’ that help us through life and protect us. Sometimes these parts can become extreme because of our experiences in the world and it can then be harder to access the calm core Self. These parts can also make us behave in ways that cause conflict, distress or unhappiness in ourselves or those around us.
IFS – Internal Family Systems Therapy
The IFS therapist’s job is to help the client disentangle themselves from their parts, and to access their core Self. The Self can then connect with each part and heal it. This allows the parts to let go of their extreme or destructive roles and enter into a harmonious collaboration led by the Self.
Self energy is characterised by a relationship we have with ourselves, others and the world that has curiosity, calm, compassion, connectedness, creativity, courage, clarity and confidence. In therapeutic work the aim is to connect and amplify the person’s own experience of Self, and then build a relationship with this self quality with all of their parts.