IFS: Where Do Parts Come From?

IFS Therapy

Dec 14

There are many different approaches to therapy. Most people are familiar with traditional or talk therapy. However, depending on the issues someone faces, a more specialized approach may be appropriate.

One of these approaches, internal family systems therapy (IFS), was created in the 1980s. It was founded to understand the human mind and how it can cause a conflicting dilemma inside a person. Every dilemma has multiple players involved in it, and the human mind is no different. These parts are the foundation of who we are, so when they are in conflict with one another, it can make someone feel conflicted and unhappy.

Before we get too much further, we want to talk about one aspect of IFS. The different parts do not refer to multiple personalities. Instead, they are just reflections of what makes up a person as a whole.

Parts of IFS: Where Do They Come From?

The Self

This is the main part of who we are; essentially, it is the core of who you are. In many ways, this is the part that represents all of the good that makes up your identity. Earlier, we mentioned the different parts that are at war with one another. The core of who you are is never at war with any other parts. The Self is the part of us that is always in balance. The problem lies with the characters: the exile, firefighter, and manager.

Exiles, Firefighters, and Managers

Each of these parts plays a very specific role. Keep in mind that none of these parts are inherently bad or toxic. Each plays a vital role in our lives, but depending on the circumstances we go through, it becomes out of sorts.

Exiles

The role of exiles is to hold the space for past trauma, pain, and negative experiences. To help someone cope with past negative pain, it tries to release these emotions out into the open. However, the role of the managers and exiles is to suppress the exiles away. This doesn’t get rid of the pain and the trauma, though. Instead, it just buries these negative emotions further away into the mind. It causes a person to feel lousy and terrible about themselves without really understanding why.

Managers

This part tries to keep the pain and trauma from surfacing. Their role is to help someone avoid distressing emotions, situations, or thoughts, a.k .a. the exiles. In most cases, the managers are unsuccessful at stopping the exiles from wreaking havoc.

The manager’s role is to take charge and be the boss. However, what this results in is the Self being stifled and suppressed as the managers take over dominance in the mind.

Firefighters

This part is exactly what it sounds like. The role of this part is to try and put out the fires caused by the exiles and managers. Exiles are one of the main reasons why many people develop unhealthy coping mechanisms as a means to deal with past hurt. Firefighters use these coping mechanisms as a way to lessen the warring factions, which are the exiles and managers. They use them as a means to distract you away from the issues that are going on.