The Inner Game of Psychotherapy

Outline

Family therapist, Richard Schwartz introduces the concept of Internal Family System (IFS)- a clear, systematic methodology for helping clients heal themselves.
A basic premise of IFS is that the “Inner Self” is not a single, monolithic persona, but in fact, a complex Internal Family System (IFS) of different parts-or sub-personalities-each with its own sometimes antagonistic memories, viewpoints, desires, and agendas.
Understanding IFS Parts

• They are sub-personalities or aspects of our personality that interact internally in sequences and styles that are similar to the ways that people interact
• All parts are valuable and want to have a positive role
• Parts become extreme and can be destructive because of life experiences

Three most common roles played by internal parts

• Exiles. Young, vulnerable parts that have experiences trauma and are isolated from the rest of the system for their own and the system’s protection. Exiles carry the memories, sensations, and emotions of the events and are stuck in the past
• Managers. Parts that run the day-to-day life of the person trying to keep exiles exiled by staying in control of events or relationships, being perfect and pleasing, caretaking, scaring the person out of taking risks by criticizing, apathy, worry, etc.
• Firefighters. Parts that react when exiles are activated in an effort to extinguish their feelings or dissociate the person from them. Common firefighter activities include: drug or alcohol use, self mutilation (cutting), binge-eating, sex binges, suicidal ideation, and rage. Firefighters have the same goals as managers (to keep exiles away), but different, more impulsive strategies

Understand the Self in IFS

• The Self is a different level of entity than the parts
• It is the seat of consciousness-sometimes called the “observing self.”
• In IFS, the Self is known to contain qualities like compassion, confidence, curiosity, and perspective

Basic Goals of IFS:

• To release parts from their extreme roles so they can find and adopt their preferred, valuable roles
• To differentiate client’s Self so Self can help harmonize and balance a client’s inner and outer life

Introduction of case study: a clinical video demo using IFS with a client who has a history of complex developmental trauma
Video illustrates the key steps in the IFS model:

• Assess the client’s external system to make sure it is safe to do work
• Introduce IFS language to client
• Ask what client would like to change
• Explore the roles and relationships among prominent internal parts
• Identify and work with managers first
• Ask about and defuse any dangerous firefighters
• With permission of managers, begin working with exiles
• Notice how the client’s deeper Self-characterized by confidence, compassion, and wisdom-emerges during the process
• Observe the Core Self assume a leadership role in integrating conflicted and disowned inner parts
• Throughout the process, notice how the therapist keeps his own parts from interfering