Internal Family Systems Step By Step Session 2

DESCRIPTION:

Session 1 – Introduction to IFS
Richard Simon, Ph.D. and Richard Schwartz, Ph.D.
AN overview of how Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy achieves balance and harmony within the internal system. A key to accomplishing this is recognizing the difference between parts and Self and elevating the Self to an effective leadership position. When the Self is in the lead, the parts will provide input while respecting the leadership and ultimate decision-making of the Self. This session covers:
• The evolution of IFS
• The differences between parts and Self    
• How to work with Protectors and Exiles—two of the most common parts
• The importance of permission in parts work
• What makes the IFS approach unique
    
Session 2 – From Emotion to Integration: Clinical Demo & Analysis I
Richard Simon, Ph.D. and Richard Schwartz, Ph.D.
•    Identifying Parts—the First Steps 
•    Unblending Parts from Self
•    Negotiating with protector through direct access
•    Strategies for Working with Exiles
•    Dealing with the fear of overwhelm

Session 3 — From Emotion to Integration: Clinical Demo & Analysis II
Richard Simon, Ph.D. and Richard Schwartz, Ph.D.
•    Getting permission from parts
•    Befriending fearful protectors
•    Witnessing the loneliness of the exile 
•    Caring for the Exile
•    Integrating Positive Qualities
•    Indications and Counter-Indications for IFS

OUTLINE:

Understanding Parts & Self in IFS
•    Parts are sub-personalities that interact internally in sequences and styles that are similar to the ways that people interact.
•    It is the nature of the mind to be subdivided.  
•    All parts are valuable and want to have a positive role.  
•    Parts become extreme and can be destructive because of life experiences.
•    Self is a different level of entity than the parts.
•    Self is the seat of consciousness. It is invisible because it is the observing  “you”.
•    The Self contains qualities like compassion, confidence, curiosity, and perspective—the qualities of good leadership.  
•    The Self can be obscured by the extremes of parts.

The Basic Goals of IFS
•    Releasing parts from their extreme roles so they can find and adopt their preferred, valuable roles.
•    DIfferentiating client’s Self from parts so Self can help harmonize and balance the inner and outer life.

Working with Exile Parts  

•    Exiles are 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 past events and are stuck in the past.
•    Exiles are easily flooded, so you need a calm, reassuring environment to approach. 

Working with Protector Parts  

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.  They have the same goals as managers (to keep exiles away), but different, more impulsive strategies.

Case Study: Working with Protectors and Exiles—Two of the Most Common Parts  
•    Identifying Parts—the First Steps 
•    Unblending Parts from Self
•    Negotiating with protectors through direct access
•    With permission of protectors, begin working with exiles – witnessing,     retrievals and unburdening.
•    Strategies for Working with Exiles
•    Throughout the process, keep your parts from interfering.