How I Can Help, Internal Family Systems
IFS for Trauma Recovery
IFS for Trauma Recovery
In the journey of healing from trauma, understanding what is happening in our inner world is crucial.
One therapeutic approach that has gained recognition for its profound impact on trauma recovery is Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.
This compassionate and insightful method helps individuals navigate their internal landscapes, fostering healing and growth.
Understanding IFS Therapy
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz in the 1980s, is a transformative approach that views the mind as a system of parts, each with its own unique perspectives and roles.
According to IFS, we all possess an internal family made up of different parts or sub-personalities.
These parts are not merely metaphorical but are considered real aspects of our psyche that influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
The Concept of Parts
In IFS therapy, it is believed that every person has multiple parts within them.
These parts can be broadly categorized into three types:
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Exiles: These are the wounded parts that carry pain and trauma from past experiences. They often feel vulnerable and seek protection.
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Managers: These parts try to keep us functional and safe by managing our day-to-day lives and preventing the exiles’ pain from surfacing.
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Firefighters: When exiles’ pain does break through, firefighters step in to distract us or numb the pain through various means such as substance use or dissociation.
Each part has a positive intention behind its actions, even if those actions might seem counterproductive or harmful at times.
The goal of IFS therapy is not to eliminate these parts but to understand them and help them work together harmoniously.
How Trauma Affects Our Parts
When we experience trauma, certain parts of us can become stuck at the time of the traumatic event.
These “stuck” parts do not fully mature and continue to react as if they are still in that moment of crisis whenever they are triggered in present-day situations.
For instance, a person who experienced abandonment as a child might have an exile part that feels intense fear whenever there is a hint of rejection in their adult relationships.
This part may react with overwhelming anxiety or withdrawal because it hasn’t had the chance to heal from its original wound.
These reactions can sometimes feel out of proportion to the current situation because they are being driven by younger, traumatized parts rather than our present-day selves.
Healing Through IFS Therapy
IFS therapy offers a compassionate path towards understanding and healing these wounded parts. Here’s how it works:
Learning About Our Parts
The first step in IFS therapy involves getting acquainted with our internal family system.
With the guidance of a therapist, individuals learn to identify their various parts—exiles, managers, and firefighters—and understand their roles and motivations.
Building Relationships with Our Parts
Once we recognize our parts, we begin building compassionate relationships with them.
This involves listening to their stories without judgment and acknowledging their efforts to protect us—even when those efforts seem misguided.
Healing Younger Wounded Parts
A pivotal aspect of IFS therapy is helping younger wounded parts heal from their trauma.
This process often includes revisiting traumatic memories in a safe therapeutic environment.
Then young parts can express their pain and receive comfort from other more mature aspects of ourselves—the Self.
The Self is considered the core essence within each person. It is a source of wisdom, compassion, calmness, curiosity, clarity.
These qualities are needed for healing trauma effectively.
We nurture these younger wounded parts with love and understanding from our Self-energy (our true self).
We also enable them to release old burdens associated with past traumas gradually.
Integrating Healed Parts into Our Present-Day Life
Healing progresses through ongoing dialogue between different internal states guided by therapists trained specifically for this purpose.
Previously fragmented pieces start integrating back into cohesive wholes leading towards improved emotional regulation overall well-being eventually making peace possible within oneself once again!
Conclusion
Healing from trauma requires patience courage willingness explore depths one’s inner world honestly openly while embracing all facets self-compassionately!
Internal Family Systems (IFS) provides invaluable framework doing just allowing individuals discover reconnect lost fragmented selves ultimately paving way towards lasting recovery resilience hope future filled possibilities joy fulfillment beyond measure!
IFS for Trauma Recovery
In our journey through life, we often encounter experiences that shape who we are.
Some of these experiences can be deeply traumatic, leaving indelible marks on our psyche.
When trauma occurs, it can fragment our sense of self, leaving parts of us stuck in the past.
This is where Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy steps in as a compassionate and effective approach to healing.
Work with Shay
Shay knows how to use IFS with trauma and as a part of PTSD therapy treatment.
She can pair brainspotting with IFS to help clients heal younger parts.
Shay also pairs IFS with somatic therapy so that you are healing all parts of you; mind and body.
Shay is an experienced trauma therapist and will work with you in ways that feel safe and led by you.
Email shay@overcomeanxietytrauma.com to book a consultation or use the button above to book a session.
Trauma sucks, Therapy for Trauma doesn’t have to.