IFS IN OC

WHAT IS INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS THERAPY?

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is focused on the relationship between the many parts of ourselves.  These parts, like people, are dynamic, talented, and resourceful.

Our parts are often limited by traumatic events that lead to extreme emotions and beliefs.  When our different parts are fighting each other, we experience unwanted feelings and behaviors.

IFS is based on the idea that we can self-heal. When we work toward feeling calmer and more centered once we understand how our past and present experience of ourselves:

• impact who we are

• how we treat ourselves

• how we behave toward meaningful people in our lives.

Clients gain insight into their challenging feelings and behaviors from a place of curiosity and non-judgement.

When you come at these issues from a neutral and non-judgemental place, you can begin healing. This leads to a better quality of life no matter how old you are.

HOW DOES IFS THERAPY WORK?

Have you ever felt like a part of you wants to do one thing, but another part wants something different?

IFS sees our internal world as a system that wants to achieve a sense of balance and peace. Like any system, it can get knocked out of balance. The goal of IFS therapy is to restore a sense of peace and balance.

In order for us to feel more balanced and restore our sense of harmony, we need to know about ourselves first.  Then, self-healing is possible.

IFS therapists help clients over the course of three phases:

First, clients identify their strengths, weaknesses, values, beliefs, feelings, needs, fears, hopes, and values. The client uses the strong and  powerful parts of their personality to help heal the parts that are hurt.

Second, clients learn new ways of treating themselves and others.  They also learn new coping skills to better manage existing mental health conditions or disorders.

Finally, people learn how to:

• Communicate their thoughts and needs better

• Listen to and acknowledge what others are thinking and feeling

• Decrease dependence on others

• Develop better self-esteem

WHEN IS IFS THERAPY HELPFUL?

Individuals often seek out IFS therapy because they’re tired of feeling depressed, sad, lonely, confused, and frustrated. Couples and families seek it out because they feel completely stuck.  No matter what brings people to IFS therapy, they know something big needs to change.

IFS is an evidence-based approach. Appropriate for:

• Supporting children through their parents’ divorce

• Treating adults whose parents divorced years ago

• Working through past traumas

• Resolving conflicts between spouses

• Healing after physical injuries

• Dealing with chronic illnesses

• Coping with grief

• Dealing with caregiver stress and burnout

• Preventing suicide among teens and young adults

• Improving relationships within families

• Addiction

• Anger management