Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
IFS therapy is practiced in Kitchener-Waterloo, Milton, Oakville, London and the surrounding areas. Anchoridge Counselling takes pride in the therapy practice offered to help clients with individual needs.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a psychotherapy approach that identifies and addresses multiple sub-personalities or "parts" within each person’s mental system. These parts consist of wounded emotions such as anger and shame, as well as protective parts that try to control or guard against emotional pain. Often, these parts are in conflict with each other and with the core Self—the confident, compassionate essence of a person.
IFS is a form of talk therapy where a therapist helps clients identify and understand their internal parts. Through this process, clients learn to release suppressed emotions, address their needs in healthier ways, and create a balanced internal system. Therapists may use techniques such as relaxation exercises, visualization, journaling, and mapping out the relationship between the Self and its parts.
IFS aims to heal wounded parts and restore mental harmony by changing the dynamics that create inner discord.
IFS therapy is effective for individuals, couples, and families and can help with various conditions, including:
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Panic and phobias
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Trauma
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Substance use
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Chronic health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
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General emotional well-being
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Common Roles of Internal Parts
According to IFS, parts typically function in three key roles:
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Managers: Protective parts that control surroundings and manage emotions.
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Exiles: Parts that hold deep pain, fear, or shame from past experiences.
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Firefighters: Parts that suppress distress by engaging in behaviors like substance use or overeating.
The Six Steps of IFS Therapy
Therapists guide clients through a structured process to interact with their parts:
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Find: Identify parts needing attention.
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Focus: Pay attention to the specific part.
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Flesh Out: Describe the part and its role.
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Feel: Explore emotions related to the part.
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Befriend: Approach the part with curiosity and acceptance.
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Fear: Understand the part’s concerns and what it fears about changing its role.
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