INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS (IFS)

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a transformational tool that works with the principle that every human individual is a system of wounded protective and exiled inner parts. These parts are doing their best to protect us, or carrying a lot of pain. 

Crucially, these parts are led by a core Self, which is compassionate, caring and confident, and can never be destroyed.

IFS therapy supports us to harness the strength and support of our core Self in order to deeply understand and truly heal our wounded parts. We learn to be Self-led, which enables us to live from our higher, compassionate Self, rather than relying on our wounded, usually young protective parts. 

In The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel van der Kolk, who integrates IFS in his trauma treatment, describes the Self as having "an active leadership role... like an orchestra conductor who helps all the parts to function harmoniously as a symphony rather than a cacophony".

IFS is increasingly being used to treat trauma within the NHS.

I use this evidence-based treatment to accelerate and deepen regular psychotherapy when appropriate and helpful, in the context of a secure, supportive therapeutic relationship. 

Richard Schwartz, the founder of IFS, writes in his accessible book No Bad Parts: "At its core, IFS is a loving way of relating internally (to your parts) and externally (to the people in your life)".