Discovering Your Inner Family: An Introduction to IFS Therapy
Have you ever felt like you’re arguing with yourself, or like part of you wants one thing while another part pulls in a different direction? You’re not alone—and there’s a gentle, insightful approach that can help. It’s a little model in therapy called, “Internal Family Systems” and let me tell you it glorious! Seeing the work of IFS and what it can do never ceases to amaze me.
What is IFS?
IFS is composed of the idea that we are our own internal family system with different parts of us as members of that family, so if you think of your own family. Are some of them not, interesting, challenging, funny, and relatable? All are important, but each share a different feeling, story, mission, belief, and idea. As much as they are different, they can also relate and be relatively similar to one another, some of these parts get along very well and others do not.
Why it Works?
Often, the parts of us that cause stress, self-criticism, or anxiety are trying to protect us from harm. The “inner critics” push us more, help us perform better, and even provide strength. With IFS, the theory helps you become more curious, compassionate, and caring for these parts because when we know they exists we can be closer and comfortable to them instead of angry, uncomfortable and frustrated with these parts. Connecting with your parts is all about healing, revealing, and understanding more.
What a session looks like?
During an IFS session, you will explore your thoughts, feelings, and internal conflicts. Together we will meet your internal family one by one and sometimes more than one at once. The multi-layer of this kind of therapy is guided by your own system. It will go where it wants and when it wants, so it doesn’t have to sped up for any reason. For example, The inner critic part: constantly saying “You’re not good enough.” IFS helps you understand its protective role and soften its message by unburdening its role a little and helping you find for relief.
Benefits of IFS Therapy
Clients often notice:
Greater self-compassion and emotional clarity
Reduced inner conflict and stress
Improved relationships through better self-understanding
Personal growth by connecting with previously hidden or ignored parts of themselves
Finding more of “The Self” in you.
Curious About Exploring Your Inner Family?
IFS is an invitation to meet your whole self—the parts you like, the parts you fear, and everything in between. If you’re ready to listen, understand, and care for your inner family in a safe, supportive environment, IFS therapy might be the path for you. I would love the opportunity to introduce you to some of these parts as we work together in this beautiful journey of getting to know your family system.
