Dr. Alexia Rothman – Internal Family Systems Therapy: Step-by-Step Procedures for Healing Traumatic Wounds and Alleviating Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Addiction and More

Outline

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

• Comprehensive, compassionate, non-pathologizing treatment approach
• Paradigm-shifting perspective on “psychopathology”
• Easily integrated into other therapeutic modalities
• Teach clients to access inner wisdom and self-compassion to permanently heal traumatic wounds

Evolution of the Model

• Development of the IFS model by Richard C. Schwartz, Ph.D.
• IFS as an empirically validated treatment: Summary of research support

Composition of the Psyche

• Concept of multiplicity: “We are all multiple personalities.”
• Components of the psyche:
  • Wounded, vulnerable, parts
  • Protective parts: proactive and reactive
  • Burdens: Negative beliefs about oneself
  • The Self: compassionate inner leader and internal source of wisdom and healing energy
• Guide clients to access their own inner wisdom and healing potential
• IFS-specific techniques for in-the-moment emotion regulation, helpful even with panic, flashbacks, and dissociation

The IFS Model

• Assumptions of the model
• Goals of IFS therapy
• Flow of the IFS model over the course of treatment
• Flow of an individual IFS session

Case Conceptualization in IFS

• Diversity and cultural sensitivity
• How IFS understands personality disorders, dissociative identity disorder, and addiction

IFS Step-by-Step

Step 1: Using Meditative Processes to Identify and Connect with a Target Part

• Differentiate the person from the symptom
• Access a state of compassion and curiosity essential for healing
• Establish a relationship with the target part
• Learn the history and benevolent intention behind the symptom

Step 2: Working with Protective Parts

• Facilitate internal attachment work
• Learn and address the fears/concerns of protective parts
• Establish a trusting and appreciative relationship with proactive and reactive protectors
• Gain permission to proceed to healing

Step 3: Healing the Traumatic Wound

• Develop a compassionate, connected relationship with the wounded part
• Witness the pain rather than re-experience it: Learn to be “with”, not “in”, to avoid re-traumatization
• Retrieve the wounded part from “trauma time”
• Release/unburden thoughts, feelings, and beliefs
• Integrate change into the system and use maintenance and troubleshooting strategies

Bringing IFS Concepts to Life

• Experiential exercise
• Video demonstration of IFS therapy with a real client
• Step-by-step commentary to solidify understanding of techniques illustrated in the video session