IFS

So tell me about multiplicity…

Internal Family Systems is a therapy based on the belief in multiplicity of the mind. This is the idea that we all have these different parts of ourselves, born out of our life experiences, to aid in our wellbeing and in some cases, survival. Each of these parts hold distinct opinions and roles, like a family within us—an internal family system.

At one point or another, most of us have said something close to, “a part of me really wants to go out, but honestly, I could also just stay in and watch a movie.” Through the IFS model, we may view this as two different parts of ourselves, with competing feelings, working toward our wellbeing in opposing ways.

In therapy, this model can help us to find compassion for the aspects to ourselves that we often hold judgment toward and to unburden the parts of us that hold deep wounds. For example, many of us may have a part of us that people-pleases, where we struggle to share our authentic feelings with others. This part may have come on the scene in response to early life experiences of rejection or abandonment. We likely have other parts that disagree with this method of protection, but through IFS, we can feel understanding and compassion for why it feels so important to continue people-pleasing. In IFS therapy, we work to unburden the wounds that keep our protective behaviors necessary, providing relief to our parts and relief to ourselves.

IFS helps us to work through past traumas, find acceptance in ourselves, and implement the behaviors we want, in place of those we struggle to let go of. Through this work, we can experience a greater understanding of ourselves and experience peace within our system.