Internal Family Systems Offerings

What is Internal Family Systems (IFS)?

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic model that views the mind as naturally containing many different "parts" or aspects of personality, each with their own perspectives, feelings, and roles. Much like a family system, these internal parts interact with each other and work to help the person function, even if their methods aren't always optimal.

Just like members of a family, inner parts are related and impact one another. Trauma forces parts from their natural states into extreme roles within us. However, Self is in everyone and it knows how to heal these parts with the help of the 8 C's pointing the way.

When you create inner and outer connectedness by accessing Self, you come to understand that even destructive part have positive intentions.  

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Key concepts of IFS include:

The Self 

At the core of every person is the "Self" - a source of calm, clarity, curiosity, and compassion. The Self is capable of leading and harmonizing all other parts.

Types of Parts:

Exiles: Vulnerable parts that carry burdens of pain or trauma from the past

Managers: Protective parts that try to keep the person functioning and prevent exiles from being triggered

Firefighters: Emergency response parts that react when exiles are activated, often through impulsive or numbing behaviors

The 4 goal in IFS are to:

1. Liberate parts from their extreme roles to be as they were designed

2.Restore trust in the Self and Self-leadership

3.Reharmonize the inner system

4.Become more Self-led in your interactions with the world.

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In a coaching context, IFS can be used to:

• Help you understand your internal responses to challenges

• Develop better relationships with your different parts

• Work with parts that may be blocking progress toward goals

• Access Self energy to make clear decisions and take action

• Create sustainable change by bringing the whole internal system into harmony and balance