INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEM (IFS)

IFS posits that every human being has a core self that cannot be harmed by the trauma of life. It possess qualities such as compassion, clarity, confidence, curiosity, calmness, courage, connectedness and creativity.

On top of this core self is our unique individual personality structure, this includes our likes and dislikes, our strengths and gifts, our positive qualities and it also includes our “negative” qualities - unhelpful impulses and young parts of us (or inner children) that were wounded by events in childhood.

When we have painful or traumatic events in our developing years, parts of us can get stuck at that age carrying the “burden” of the unresolved trauma – this includes things like triggers and negative core beliefs that shape how we see the world and ourselves.
These parts are in pain and this pain can threaten to overwhelm the system so other parts of us take on roles to protect the wounded inner part  from being triggered in our present day lives or from being hurt again. While these protector parts have the best of intentions for us they can compel us to behave in dysfunctional ways that can hurt our overall wellbeing. Such behaviors include addictions of all descriptions, self-sabotage, compulsion, avoidance, reactivity.

Using the IFS model a person is guided to connect with their wiser self and from this place help the wounded parts fully processes the emotions of the traumatic event and release the burdens they carry and assist the protector parts to move into more life affirming roles. Ultimately creating healing and inner harmony and unity.