Internal Family Systems

IFS is a psychotherapy approach that views the mind not as a unitary entity, but made up of different inner “parts” or sub-personalities, each with distinct and unique roles and emotions. These parts may be protective or wounded, but all are seen as valuable. At the centre is the Self, a core undamaged, wise inner presence that can lead healing.

The goal of IFS is to help individuals connect to their Self and from that connected and intuitive place, understand and heal their parts—bringing more internal balance and compassion. It’s both an evidence-based clinical method and a broader life approach, guided by the 8 Cs: confidence, calm, compassion, courage, creativity, clarity, curiosity, and connectedness. It is also a way of understanding personal and intimate relationships, both within yourself and with significant others.

It is an experiential and creative process. My role is to help you get to know parts of yourself that you both like and dislike, the ones that you’d rather get rid of and the ones that help you get on in life. All parts are valuable and hold gifts for us, they certainly want the best for us and have helped us to survive. Sometimes they may appear hell bent on destruction or become energised with criticism that they direct either outwards towards others, or inwards towards vulnerability. Parts of us get burdened by beliefs and feelings that they may have got from the dominant culture, family culture or during overwhelming or frightening experiences. IFS helps by connecting to and healing burdened parts and freeing them from their extreme roles that deplete the inner system. We can rewire our neurophysiological system at any time in our lives, it is never too late, our brains never too old. Connecting with curiosity and helping parts with IFS brings greater ease, integration, and well-being.