Sheffield
IFS
IFS
Internal Family Systems
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What is IFS and how can it help you?
At the heart of Internal Family Systems therapy is the experience that there is a calm, compassionate core ‘Self’ within each of us that cannot be damaged.
We also have many ‘parts’ that help us through life and protect us. Sometimes these parts can become extreme because of our experiences in the world and it can then be harder to access the calm core Self. These parts can also make us behave in ways that cause conflict, distress or unhappiness in ourselves or those around us.
The IFS therapist’s job is to help the client disentangle themselves from their parts and access their core Self. The Self can then connect with each part and heal it. This allows the parts to let go of their extreme or destructive roles and enter into a harmonious collaboration led by the Self.
IFS therapy explicitly recognizes the spiritual nature of the Self, allowing the model to be helpful in spiritual development as well as psychological healing.
IFS is more than just a therapeutic model; it can be helpful in daily life, in relationships of any kind.
When we really know that we and others tend to act from parts of us that are not the whole of us, it allows for the possibility of acting from our compassionate, calm core 'Self' instead
All our parts are actually trying to help us, even if they seem extreme and cause distress in our lives.
Trying to ignore parts, or push them away or get rid of them never works in the long term. (Check it out in your own life ! )
If we engage with parts, with respect, gentleness and kindness, something new is possible . . .