I have been practicing therapy for more than 10 years as a Licensed Professional Counselor, but it wasn’t until I started to receive training in this specific modality called Internal Family Systems that I felt like something “fit,” not just for my belief systems and personality as a therapist, but also for my clients. Suddenly, I was seeing so many people letting go of things they’d held onto for so long. I was seeing people step into the role of the adult they never had, and always needed. Let me tell you more.
The core belief of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is that every individual has an innate capacity for self-healing and self-discovery. IFS therapy recognizes that within each person’s psyche, there are various “parts” or subpersonalities, each with its own thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. Some examples may be angry parts, judgmental parts, parts that worry or obsess, or even parts that shut down or dissociate.
IFS therapy believes that the Self, which is characterized by qualities such as calm, curiosity, and compassion, is the core essence of every individual. The Self serves as a guiding force in the therapeutic process and has the capacity to lead the individual towards healing, integration, and personal growth.
The belief is that by accessing and strengthening the Self, individuals can develop a harmonious and cooperative relationship among their parts. Rather than viewing symptoms and problems as signs of pathology, IFS therapy sees them as a result of internal conflicts and imbalances between the parts. The goal is to foster understanding, empathy, and cooperation among these parts, allowing for healing and integration.
In IFS therapy, all parts are believed to have positive intentions, even if their behaviors may seem problematic or destructive. By approaching these parts with curiosity and empathy, individuals can uncover the positive intentions behind their actions and develop healthier coping strategies. This core belief in the inherent capacity for healing and the positive intentions of all parts forms the foundation of IFS therapy. This is also why it is so good for healing attachment trauma. You can learn how to have a secure, supportive, and empathetic relationship with your parts, allowing them to be seen and heard (finally), and hopefully helping them into a role that is more helpful.
While my training in IFS is still a work in progress, I’m learning more each day and planning to take the required training and supervision to actually become certified in the model. If what you read sounds like a fit for your needs and beliefs like it is with mine, please reach out so we can work together. I provide counseling virtually for people all over the state of South Carolina.