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"Transformative Psychotherapy         An Empowering Paradigm"       IFS Institute

Internal Family Systems Therapy

IFS  Practitioner

INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS  OR  COUPLES / RELATIONSHIPS

What is IFS?

"Internal Family Systems is a powerfully transformative, evidence-based model of psychotherapy. We believe the mind is naturally multiple and that is a good thing.  Our inner parts contain valuable qualities and our core Self knows how to heal, allowing us to become integrated and whole. In IFS all parts are welcome.

IFS is a movement. A new, empowering paradigm for understanding and harmonizing the mind and, thereby, larger human systems. One that can help people heal and helps the world become a more compassionate place". An explanation from the IFS Institute: ifs-institute.com

What IFS can help with...

"IFS Therapy helps clients form a deeply satisfying relationship with themselves and others, unburdening their trauma and accessing their self-energy (Herbine-Blank, n.d.).

While there are many aspects to IFS as a theory and treatment model, the primary healing relationship “is between the client’s Self and her young, injured parts” (Sweezy & Ziskind, 2013, p. 1).

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With this in mind, Schwartz’s (2021, p. 32) IFS Therapy has four goals:

  1. To liberate parts from the roles they have been forced into, freeing them to be who they were designed to be.

  2. To restore faith in the self and in self-leadership.

  3. To re-harmonize the inner system.

  4. To encourage the client to become increasingly self led in their interactions with the world.

While IFS Therapy is a powerful approach for helping individuals, it can be equally successful with couples. According to Herbine-Blank (n.d.), “once the individuals in a couple have more access to Self, transformation is natural,” and they can find the space and capacity to choose a response rather than simply react to it, even if the other cannot at the time.

Each partner is encouraged to bring compassion to their wounded inner parts and heal their past, gaining control over their present (Herbine-Blank, n.d.)."

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25 Feb 2022 by Jeremy Sutton, Ph.D. PositivePsychology.com

IFIO - Intimacy from the Inside Out

Relationships and Connection

"IFIO is a relationship therapy born out of a desire to carry the concepts of IFS into a relational setting and to use the intimate relationship itself as a vehicle for growth and healing of the individual, as well as the couple". (T.Herbine Blank)

Intimacy From the Inside Out© is a psychotherapy paradigm which uses a systemic approach to heal, improve communication, and provide relationship help. The IFIO method combines deep intrapsychic work with interpersonal exploration. It is a powerful relationship therapy model with applications for work with couples (romantic, familial, friendships) teams and individuals.

8 C's of Self (Energy)...

When we are experiencing our parts in conflict, we can lose access to Self. However, as healing takes place, we become more Self-led. IFS therapy focuses on helping you realign with your authentic Self. The 8 C's that identify each of us at our core are: 

  1. Compassion - I have compassion for others and myself.

  2. Calmness - I feel and embrace feelings of peace and calmness within. 

  3. Curiousity - I have a curious, non-judgmental stance. I feel genuine curiosity as I enter a new situation or meet someone new. My curiosity leads to learning and growth. 

  4. Courage - I approach my personal challenges with courage. (Anyone who is concerned about how they feel, may even be fearful about how they feel, and shows up for themselves anyway - already has courage. 

  5. Clarity - I am able to maintain focus and clarity on my own situation as well as external situations. 

  6. Connection - I feel connected both internally and externally. 

  7. Creativity - I can find ways to transform my ideas, imagination and dreams into reality.  

  8. Confidence - I am able to navigate my inner and outer world and interactions with confidence. 

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