Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Moments of pain and difficulties are often invitations from within, parts of us asking to be heard, understood, and helped. ​​Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapy that recognises that we are made up of different 'parts', rather than just having one version of ourselves. For example, you may have a part that is highly self-critical, a part that pushes other people away, or a part that is impulsive.
Some parts have roles to try and protect us from emotional pain (for example an extremely hard working part) and other parts hold a lot of pain (for example a part that feels inadequate).
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Exploration with Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps you get to know these inner parts, including parts that have taken on protective roles and the ones that hold deep pain. All parts are met with understanding and compassion, and all parts are welcome within our work. Meeting parts with this deep curiosity and kindness, rather than trying to get rid of or silence them, is an approach that often differs from other traditional talking therapies. This approach allows the parts to have a voice so they can be heard and healed, which means they no longer have to keep showing up in extreme or reactive ways. The model is respectful, non-pathologising, and transformative.
What can Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy help with
IFS can help with a wide range of diffiuclties, including the following:
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​Trauma (PTSD) and creating safety before working with traumatic memories
Dissociation
Relationship difficulties
Strong inner critics
Conflicting emotions
Burnout and overworking
Feeling unable to change repeating patterns​
Addiction (including drugs, alcohol, and other addictive behaviours)
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Please get in touch with me if you are considering therapy in Clapham or online, and we can explore if Internal Family Systems (IFS) could be helpful for you.