Internal Family Systems (IFS)

WE ARE MANY

IFS is an internationally recognized psychotherapeutic method that can be used to work on and with personality aspects.

IFS assumes that every person consists of a self and a system of personality traits.

Each part has valuable qualities and an important and significant role within the internal system. However, through hurtful experiences that every person experiences throughout life, some parts become strained and forced into extreme roles, which can lead to problems.

EFor example, one part has stored away a childhood experience of being laughed at and the associated feeling of shame. Another part wants to prevent something like that from ever happening again (because feelings of shame feel horrible and we humans, as social beings, have a strong need for recognition in communities) and uses enormous energy to prevent a potential repetition of this experience. The childlike part with the difficult feelings is repressed - sent into exile. Some people try to do this by wanting to make everything perfect in social situations, perhaps by compulsively planning or controlling, others try to please everyone else, and still others behave arrogantly and condescendingly so that no one can hurt or embarrass them again.

With the help of IFS therapy, you can get to know your personality traits, discover why they do what they do, and what they need from you to relax. You can help these traits let go of the unhealthy behaviors that inevitably developed due to your life situation, thereby reintegrating more freedom and self-determination into your life.

The contact with the inner self takes place under therapeutic guidance with an appreciative and respectful attitude.

THE MIND IS MULTIPLE

According to IFS, the human psyche consists of various parts and an inner, healthy, and invulnerable core called the "self." From this self, we can communicate with and transform other, burdened or unburdened parts of the psyche.

Within the framework of IFS therapy, you will be supported in gaining access to your self and in meeting your parts with the qualities (8 C's) of your self.

THE 8 C'S of Self

Richard C. Schwartz, founder of Internal Family Systems Therapy, has described 8 qualities (which all begin with C in English) that are inherent in every person from birth and cannot be destroyed by anything:

Curiosity: Curiosity and interest

Compassion: Compassion

Calm: Peace and inner serenity

courage: Courage

Clarity: Clarity

Confidence: Trust

Creativity: Creativity

Connectedness: Connectedness and connection

The concept of self in IFS therapy is a way of describing a state that all people enter in certain situations.

Some people connect with their self when they express themselves creatively (painting, designing, writing, etc.), meditate or do yoga, others feel their self-energy when they are out in nature or doing their favorite sport, etc.

The state within the self is intuitively familiar to us.

The self is similar to the sun. We know that it is always there, even when it is setting or perhaps clouds have moved in front of it.

Even if parts of ourselves sometimes push themselves in front of our self, the parts can step aside and we can fully reconnect with our self.