Legacy Texas’ therapists use multiple evidence-based modalities to create customized recovery plans for every client. One such approach is internal family systems, designed to help people understand and heal their inner worlds. IFS focuses on restoring balance among the various subpersonalities or “families” within each person’s mind.
Understanding Internal Family Systems Therapy
Developed by psychologist Richard Schwartz, IFS views the mind as a group of subpersonalities, each with different thoughts, emotions, and roles. Schwartz first observed this dynamic in his work as a family therapist, where he noticed his clients described their inner conflicts as interactions among distinct “parts:”
- A core self, which guides your internal system
- Protective and wounded parts
According to Schwartz’s model, there are no “bad” parts. Instead, experiences like trauma cause imbalance and disorganization within the system. The goal of IFS is to heal your inner pain, reduce conflict among your subpersonalities, and reconnect with an authentic and whole version of yourself.
What Are Subpersonalities in IFS?
Within IFS, the core self, wounded parts, and protected parts have subpersonalities with specific roles.
- Managers prevent distress by suppressing painful memories and emotions, keeping them out of your conscious awareness.
- Exiles carry the burden of hurt, fear, or shame from traumatic experiences. They often hold onto painful memories and emotions, remaining hidden from the surface while subtly influencing your behavior and thought patterns.
- Firefighters activate when exiles bring overwhelming emotions to the forefront. They keep your feelings in check, typically through extreme or destructive behaviors like substance abuse, overeating, or impulsivity.
For example, you might have an exiled part retaining the trauma and anger from childhood abuse. A manager part may suppress this trauma to maintain emotional stability, while a firefighter part might turn to drugs or alcohol to dull the pain.
How IFS Therapy Works
IFS is a form of talk therapy that involves working closely with a therapist to heal your wounded parts and create a more harmonious internal system.
- Identifying subpersonalities: With your therapist’s guidance, you’ll learn to recognize the distinct parts of yourself and understand the interplay between them.
- Acknowledging and releasing emotions: Confronting suppressed feelings and letting them go allows you to address the underlying issues driving your behavior.
- Restoring balance: IFS fosters mental and emotional equilibrium by helping the subpersonalities work together and coexist more effectively.
- Reconnecting with your core self: Tapping into your authentic self enables you to approach life with more clarity, compassion, and confidence.
In addition, your therapist may suggest complementary tools such as relaxation exercises, visualization techniques, and journaling.
How IFS Supports Recovery
IFS is particularly valuable in addiction recovery because it enables you to address the internal conflicts and wounded parts that drive substance use. For example, your firefighter subpersonality might use drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of an exile, while the manager works overtime to maintain external stability. Through IFS, you can find healthier, more sustainable ways to cope with life’s challenges, reconnect with your core self, and build a stronger foundation for sobriety.
Internal family systems therapy offers a powerful framework for understanding complex emotions, paving a path to emotional well-being and resilience. At Legacy Texas, we incorporate IFS into our phased treatment approach, helping men heal from addiction and step into their full potential. We teach our clients the skills they need to face future challenges, setting them on a lifelong course of self-directed healing and recovery. Connect with us to learn more about our crucible for transformation.