How Does IFS Therapy Promote Change?
We’re human, and we’re complicated. And that is only putting it mildly. Throughout our lives, we go through various experiences and emotions that help shape us into the people we are. Some of that is good, of course. But what about the times that are not so great? How does that affect us?
As we go through a variety of negative life experiences, they can reach us to our core. That sounds wishy-washy, I know. However, they do change something in us. As a way to cope with these negative experiences, we develop coping mechanisms as a way to deal with them. However, these coping mechanisms can sometimes conflict with one another, causing even more stress and turmoil inside us.
Internal Family Systems(IFS) is a type of therapy that addresses this.
Your “Self” Is Your Core
When we refer to the Self, we are referencing the very core of who we are. If the Self is in harmony, we experience what is sometimes called the 8 C’s of self-energy: Compassion, Courage, Creativity, Calm, Curiosity, Connection, Confidence, and Clarity.
When the Self is not harmonious, you may experience what is referred to as your internal families, or your sub-personalities. These sub-personalities are developed as a way to cope with stress and challenging situations. But they can cause inner conflict.
What Are Signs Of Inner Conflict?
In other blog posts, I talk about the sub-personalities and how they can conflict with one another. For this post, I want to focus on how to spot signs of inner conflict and how IFS Therapy promotes true change.
Perfectionism
This is when you convince yourself that nothing you do is good enough. And that anything less than perfect means you have failed.
Inner Critic
This is the voice that tells you that you aren’t worthy. It makes you mad at yourself and unable to get out of a cycle of anxiety.
How Does IFS Therapy Promote Change?
Therapy, in general, wouldn’t be very effective if it didn’t involve some type of change. It wouldn’t be very useful if it didn’t help promote self-growth and healing, which is what most of us are after. Talk therapy, or traditional therapy, is certainly useful with that. However, sometimes, in order to gain the most growth and healing, we really need to dive into the core of who we are. And this is where IFS can be very beneficial to clients.
IFS is more than just talking about your issues and what you are facing. It addresses the very inner parts of who you are and what has contributed to the issues you are facing. No matter if it’s anxiety, depression, trauma, or self-esteem issues, IFS focuses on healing the parts of you that are contributing to your main issues.
IFS Therapy does not teach you that these parts causing turmoil in you are bad. Instead, the focus is on how you can use them to reconnect your mind and core of who you are in healthier ways. It teaches you self-acceptance and that each part plays a role in who you are. Both the good parts and the bad parts are equally influential at the end of the day. However, because of the disconnection, the bad parts can seem like they are winning.
Moving Forward
As stated above, we are complex human beings. Despite trying our best, sometimes life can trip us up and make us feel like we’re failing. However, you don’t have to stay in this cycle of conflict with yourself. IFS Therapy can teach you how to heal the inner parts of yourself so you can find a sense of renewal and strength that you didn’t know you had. Let’s connect soon so I can show you how beneficial it can be.
