Internal Family Systems therapy in Ann Arbor, MI and online across Michigan
Conflicting emotions?
Do you sometimes feel like your inner world is just one tangled mess? Perhaps you’ve had the experience where one part of you wants one thing and another wants something completely different, leaving you feeling stuck in indecision. Maybe you find yourself reactively responding in relationships only to be consumed by guilt after the heat of the moment has passed.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an evidence-based model of psychotherapy developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz that can help with any and all of the above. IFS recognizes that we all have parts of us that feel different things (for example, one part of us may adore our partner while another part simultaneously feels like it’s going to explode if you see their dirty laundry on the floor one more time). Just like in external family systems, our parts can get locked in conflict with seemingly no way out. These parts often carry old beliefs and wounds that inadvertently keep us stuck in the past.
IFS helps us embody our wisest Self (who we really are underneath all our parts) to connect with our parts and help them heal. When we lead from our Self, we can help our parts let go of limiting beliefs and discover freedom, joy, and growth. We can finally feel like who we were always meant to be.
Why IFS?
IFS is different than traditional talk therapy. Rather than talking about something as if it is happening in a movie, it’s like we enter the movie and talk directly to our thoughts and feelings. By engaging directly with our feelings rather than just talking about them, we activate a totally different part of our brain. This part of our brain has the power to soothe the feelings and help them heal.
“Talk to my feelings? Yeah, right. Sounds weird.”
Think about it—you probably already talk to yourself. If you’re like most people, it sounds pretty harsh (e.g. “Ugh, that was so stupid of me! Why did I do that?” or “C’mon, Emma, we need to meet this deadline.”). In IFS we use that same brain power for healing.
“Talk to my feelings? I don’t even like them.”
Sound like your inner critic is working really hard, perhaps to try and manage overwhelming and uncomfortable feelings. That makes so much sense and another way is possible. Then, that inner critic could experience rest rather than having to work overtime. That’s gotta be tiring!
“Talk to my feelings? I don’t know how.”
We all have innate wisdom that gets written over by messages from society, culture, family systems, and friends. All those messages can override our inner knowing of how be human. IFS can help us uncover this inner knowing so that rather than seeing ourselves as a never-ending problem to be fixed, we can deeply know our inherent worth and value.
Benefits of IFS
Clarity
Stuck feeling confused about how you’re feeling and why you keep repeating the same behaviors? IFS can help bring a sense of clarity and understanding to your inner and outer world. In our IFS therapy sessions we’ll patiently untangle all the knots in your feelings.
Calm
Our anxious, fearful parts often take over because they’re trying to keep us safe from potential danger. They have such posititive intentions and it can sometimes feel like we’re moving through life with a constant alarm blaring in our heads. IFS therapy can help you connect to a sense of safety no matter where you are.
Compassion
Do you often find yourself criticizing yourself and/or others? This inner drill sergeant is trying to be so helpful and it can be really exhausting to feel constantly on edge, watching for things to correct. IFS therapy can help you befriend your parts, increasing your understanding of why they’re doing what they’re doing.
Confidence
Most people feel better about themselves when they feel supported, safe, and understood. Through IFS therapy, we work to create that support and safety internally so that it’s always available to you. When we feel safe, we can move through the world with confidence and ease.
Curious to find out more?
Internal Family Systems is the most effective way of doing therapy that I’ve ever encountered. It has been proven to work with people who have a history of trauma, anxiety, depression, OCD, stress, eating disorders, and more. I am Level 2 trained in IFS and integrate this with somatic modalities for healing. Click the button below to schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation to see if Internal Family Systems therapy is right for you.