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Internal
Family Systems Theory
By Melinda Fry, PLPC
Last year Donna
Kitchen and I attended a workshop on self-injurious behaviors sponsored by
the Castlewood Eating Disorder Clinic. The workshop introduced us to the
Internal Family Systems Theory model that is very similar to the
self-nurturing work that has been a basic tenet at Meramec Counseling for
over 30 years.
Internal Family
Systems Theory (IFS) Model is a form of therapy that sees the individual as
having a core Self accompanied by various sub-personalities or parts. The
idea of multiplicity of the mind is not a new concept. Freud coined the
terms Id, Ego, and Super Ego to describe personality; Eric Berne used Child,
Parent and Adult ego states in his theory of Transactional Analysis.
Richard C. Schwartz,
Ph.D., a veteran family therapist, developed IFS over the last 20 years by
listening to his clients’ language as they described their various inner
parts. He combined concepts of systems thinking with the world of
sub-personalities or parts.
Parts can be
experienced in many ways – as a thought, feeling or sensation. The way
parts are experienced is unique to the individual. Dr. Schwartz cultivated
a new understanding of the nature of these sub-personalities and the roles
the parts take on within the internal family system. Dr. Schwartz noticed
that the parts exemplify specific roles and hold certain beliefs about the
internal and external worlds. Parts interact with each other and behave in
ways similar to the way people act within their external family structures –
some get along and some are in conflict.
Dr. Schwartz
identified an incredible Self at the center of each person’s personality.
The Self is creative, curious, compassionate, and a very wise source of
information and leadership. When the Self and the parts collaborate they
can use their intuitive wisdom to understand and heal. During the healing
process the parts are able to let go of pain and burdensome beliefs that
have plagued the person’s entire life. As a result, the protective parts
can relax, allowing the Self to excel, while creating balance and harmony
within the internal system.
I have spent the last
year in an intensive training program to learn how to use this model. I am
very excited about IFS and have already had great success using it in my
practice. For more information call the office or visit
www.internalfamilysystems.org
or www.selfleadership.org.
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