Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a talk therapy used to help people who have experienced trauma that has impacted their personality and internal dialogue.
Understanding IFS Therapy
IFS therapy aims to address and heal these internal wounds by understanding the different "parts" within a person's psyche.
Key Uses of IFS Therapy
Based on current research, IFS is used for:
- Addressing Trauma: IFS helps individuals process and heal from past traumas that have shaped their internal world.
- Improving Internal Dialogue: It can help people understand and change negative or self-critical internal voices.
- Treating Specific Conditions: While research is still growing, IFS may be beneficial for individuals with specific mental health conditions.
How IFS Works
IFS operates on the principle that everyone's mind is comprised of various "parts," such as:
- Managers: These parts attempt to control emotions and behaviors to protect the individual.
- Exiles: These parts hold pain, trauma, and vulnerability.
- Firefighters: These parts react impulsively to suppress or distract from the pain of the exiles.
The goal of IFS is to help individuals access their "Self," a core of wisdom, compassion, and confidence, to heal these wounded parts.
