The Internal Family Systems Model (IFS) is a psychospiritual, comprehensive approach to therapy that is effective in for working with individuals, couples, and families. It encompasses both systems thinking and the multiplicity of the mind,  taking what we know about how external systems work (like our families and interpernsonal networks) and examining the subpersonalities that exist within our internal world.

This approach assumes that each of us embodies at our core, a true Self–sometimes called our soul, center, or spirit. This Self is the source of our inner healing, which means we are all capable of soothing our wounds and living the life we were meant to live.  It also assumes that we each have parts or subpersonalities, that take over our lives at different times, often in an act of protection.  Our parts live in relationship to one another, and they are capable of change, even when they have functioned in certain roles for a very long time.  Often in our lives, parts have been forced into extreme and sometimes destructive roles, and while they are attempting to protect us or keep us alive, these patterns were not what they were meant to do; in IFS, we compassionately witness those parts with our clients, help them uuburden their painful experiences, and establish their truth for future joy and peace.

You can learn more about IFS at the following websites:

www.selfleadership.org

www.FrankAndersonMD.com

www.derekscott.co