Therapeutic Approach
My approach is rooted in Internal Family Systems Model (IFS), but I tailor the sessions to the needs of the client. All modalities are empirically based and focused. Read below for additional information about IFS.
Imagine your mind as a vast landscape, populated by different parts of yourself, each with its own beliefs, emotions, and desires. The Internal Family Systems (IFS) model of therapy views the psyche as a family system, where these parts interact and influence one another. Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS therapy helps individuals understand and navigate these internal dynamics to achieve healing and harmony.
In this model, there are three primary types of parts:
Managers: These are the parts of you that strive to keep you safe by controlling your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. They often operate from a place of fear or responsibility, seeking to prevent harm or maintain order.
Exiles: These are the wounded, vulnerable parts of you that carry painful memories, traumas, or emotions from the past. Exiles are often kept hidden or suppressed by the Managers to protect you from experiencing further pain.
Firefighters: When the pain of the Exiles becomes overwhelming, Firefighters step in to distract or numb you through impulsive behaviors, addictive patterns, or intense emotions. They serve as a form of emergency relief but can sometimes create more chaos in the long run.
The goal of IFS therapy is to help you cultivate Self-leadership—the wise, compassionate core of your being that can heal and integrate these different parts. Through guided exploration and dialogue, your therapist will help you identify and understand the roles of each part, fostering empathy and curiosity towards them.
As you develop a deeper connection with your internal family, you'll learn to navigate conflicts, release burdens carried by the Exiles, and empower healthier ways for the Managers and Firefighters to operate. This process of internal reconciliation and integration leads to greater self-awareness, inner peace, and resilience.
IFS therapy is not about suppressing or eliminating parts of yourself but rather about embracing your full complexity and learning to relate to each part with compassion and understanding. By doing so, you can cultivate a more harmonious internal landscape and live authentically from a place of inner balance and abundance.