Results & Your IFS Therapy Journey
When you’re starting a new type of therapy, it can be intimidating. It is especially scary if you have never been to a therapy session. While you understand that working on your mental health is important, many people hesitate to reach out for support due to the stigma that is attached to it.
You may have read about IFS therapy online and feel as if it is the right choice for you. Or, perhaps you are going to be working with a therapist for IFS therapy, but you are still unsure of what to expect. In either case, one of the questions you likely have is, “How long will it take?”
How Long Does IFS Therapy Take?
First, let’s start with some basics about therapy in general. Most therapy sessions will typically last 50-90 minutes, depending on the therapist you work with. The frequency of these sessions will also vary and depend on the individual client and therapist. There is no right or wrong answer to how many sessions you want to be in during any given month. Some people prefer weekly sessions, while others prefer bi-weekly sessions.
It’s Not A Quick Fix Approach
One important thing to consider with all types of therapy is that it is not a quick-fix approach. Healing, self-discovery, and growth take time. As much as we wish we could expedite the process, that isn’t possible.
IFS therapy, especially, is not a process that can or should be rushed. The purpose of it is to unravel and detangle the different sub-personalities that make up an individual. Known as firefighters, managers, and exiles, these three sub-personalities are often at war and in conflict with one another. While they all serve a purpose that can be good, various life experiences cause them to conflict with one another.
IFS therapy brings peace and calm by identifying how each role impacts an individual’s life. It is a revolutionary type of therapy that helps you get to the root cause of what is causing you the most stress and tension.
How Long Does IFS Therapy Take To See Results?
Another big question about IFS therapy is, “How much longer until I see results?” It’s certainly a valid question. In general, humans expect immediate results. We live in a fast-paced world where information is readily available with the click of a few buttons. While the internet has only existed for a few decades, it has conditioned us to expect immediate results.
Healing and growth take time and can’t be rushed. However, no matter your type of therapy, you can expect short-term and long-term results. No guideline or criteria tells us how long it can take a person to start seeing results. It typically will take a few sessions for someone to begin feeling comfortable with therapy, exploring their subpersonalities, and discovering what they mean.
Some helpful tips to help the function of IFS therapy are to:
Be honest with your therapist about things you are confused about or how you feel. Remember, they don’t know what you don’t know. And we can’t read your mind, so we won’t necessarily know if something is working well for you or not.
Know that you can make adjustments or even switch the type of therapy you are in. As long as your therapist is aware and understands that you aren’t gaining much, adjustments can be made.
How Will I Know If It’s Working?
This is another big question that is often shrouded in mystery. What do results actually feel like? You will often find that as sessions progress, you start to feel a deeper understanding of who your true Self is. You’ll begin to recognize how resilient you are, and you can see a clearer path and resolution to your problems.
Your emotions and thoughts will feel more balanced and less like a rollercoaster. Consequently, your mood will improve, and you may begin to drop unhealthy coping mechanisms.
If you are interested in learning more about IFS therapy, don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more.
