A Taste of Internal Family Systems

Abstract
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a power therapy developed by Richard Schwartz (1995, 2020) that is being widely taught around the world. Its fundamental principles are that we all have parts of the mind, everyone has a core Self with solid leadership qualities, dysfunction occurs when parts become burdened with traumatic material, and then become blended with Self. Healing begins by unblending parts from Self, thus enabling the qualities of Self (e.g., curiosity and compassion) to be accessed. Healing is accomplished through Self witnessing parts until the parts feel totally heard and understood. The burdened parts are then able to become freed from their burdens and take in positive qualities. Although IFS is an ego state model with promises universal healing, IFS taining and practice does not adequately address dissociation or treatment of people with complex trauma disorders. This can leave IFS therapists stuck and clients stuck and at risk of decompensation or just not making expected progress. Practical modifications enabling IFS's use with complex PTSD and dissociative disorders will be presented.

Following the basic didactic presentation on IFS, various forms of non-verbal communication including projective identification and reenactments will be discussed. Participants will learn to use the IFS "Fire Drill", a practical exercise which helps therapists identify and work with countertransference responses through demonstration and a practicum. This exercise has many applications, including its use in consultation and with clients. if you have ever had a client who was great at getting under your skin, the experience of getting into repetitive struggles with a client, found yourself falling asleep, beginning to day dream, or being excessively worried about a client this exercise will provide a useful road map for decoding, working with, and eventually helping with the resolution of clinical material from clients for whom the nonverbal is a necessary and meaningful mode of communication.