A type of psychotherapy which assumes we are born with parts - none of which are bad. The’re necessary for our thriving. They might be forced out of their naturally helpful states into damaging roles through trauma.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) was founded by Robert Schwarz. There are three categories/blueprintes for the roles of parts: manager, firefighter, and exile. The manager role is proactive and protective, trying to keep vulnerable or exiled parts out of consciousness. The firefighter role is reactive and desperate, emerging when exiles break out and demand attention. The exile role contains trauma, often from childhood experiences.
In IFS therapy, the goal is to help individuals access their Self - a core, compassionate essence - and from that Self-energy, heal their wounded parts.
IFS therapy is effective for treating a variety of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders and addiction.
Resources
- Jay Earley’s book on IFS
- List of podcast with the founder of IFS Robert Schwarz