It draws fromstructural, strategic, narrative, andBoweniantypes offamily therapy.
Life events or trauma, however, can force us out of those healthy roles into extreme roles.
The good news is that these internal roles are not static and can change with time and work.
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The goal of IFS therapy is to find your Self and bring all of these parts together.
Find out which option is the best for you.
An IFS therapist will use a six-step process to help you find these parts and release their burdens.
Focus
Next, you will be asked to turn your focus to this part.
What emotions are associated with it?
Is it a particular color?
Does it represent you at a particular age?
Feel Toward
How do you feel about this part?
What are they afraid will happen without their presence in your life?
Can you do IFS therapy on yourself?
Each session often involves talk therapy and explores the inner parts of an individual.
Your therapist will help you manage these feelings and learn how to deal with such feelings in healthier ways.
Research also suggests that IFS therapy shows promise as a treatment for trauma.
In the RA study, IFS therapy was also linked to a reduction in pain symptoms.
Its success at improving well-being earned it a rating of effective.
It was also rated promising for the following:
(Note: Registry was discontinued in 2018.)
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Criticism of this kind of therapy includes failing to address any neurobiological underpinnings of mental health issues.
Additionally,several lawsuitsalleged that practitioners of IFS therapy pushed them to “recover memories” of repressed trauma.
In the first session, you may already begin the work to identify your parts.
Pais S.A systemic approach to the treatment of dissociative identity disorder.
Journal of Family Psychotherapy.
2013;40(11):1831-1841. https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.121465
Foundation for Self Leadership.IFS, An Evidence-Based Practice.
