Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy
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IFS is a powerful, transformative, evidence-based model of psychotherapy. It is based on the assumption that the mind is multiple, and that our psychology can be understood as a system of ‘parts’ (aspects of the personality) that influence our daily life by the thoughts, beliefs, feelings and memories that they carry.
IFS is a modality that integrates many other therapeutic techniques into one comprehensive and simple approach. It incorporates a systems approach, cognitive and relational therapy, trauma reprocessing, somatic techniques, mindfulness, psychodynamic and also has space for the psychospiritual/transpersonal if this is important to your journey.
As well as ‘parts’ we all have an inner core essence - a state of being, from which we resource insight, clarity, discernment, curiosity, compassion, calmness, and many other qualities. IFS helps facilitate a deep and profound experience of connection with your core authentic Self.
Our perceptions and decisions in the present are informed and influenced by past experience, by processes that may be largely outside of our conscious awareness. Unresolved trauma and distressing experiences such as loss, neglect, abuse and shame can create limiting core beliefs, leave a legacy of problematic symptoms and a cause a great disconnection from our authentic Self.
One of the key benefits of the IFS model is its flexibility to explore the transpersonal—a dimension that transcends the personal. While working with internal parts, many clients naturally connect with intuitive experiences and spiritual realms. This deeper connection provides a broader context for understanding oneself, often leading to profound insights that go beyond the personal to include a more expansive, spiritual perspective. IFS has an approach to working with guides and allies, legacy, ancestral and ’unattached burdens’ and other energies. It is much informed by the work of Robert Falconer - author of The Others Within Us and Exploring the Further Reaches of IFS and Far Beyond.
IFS is an experiential, systemic way of working that can help to process and heal significant trauma, facilitating personal growth and freeing us to become more resourceful, connected and present in our daily lives and relationships. IFS is a non pathologising approach that is suitable for working at all levels of depth.
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