Internal Family Systems (IFS)
A framework for understanding different internal reactions, protective patterns, and conflicting feelings with curiosity.
Understanding the approach
Different parts of us can respond in different ways.
Internal Family Systems, often called IFS, offers a way to notice different parts of a person’s internal experience. One part may want change while another feels cautious; another may criticize, avoid, please, control, or stay alert in an effort to protect.
Rather than immediately trying to eliminate these reactions, IFS work can help explore what they may be protecting against, what they need, and how they developed.
What the work may look like
The work can begin with noticing what is happening now.
Jordan may help clients notice thoughts, emotions, physical cues, or internal reactions that seem to pull in different directions and explore what those responses may be trying to accomplish.
The work may involve understanding protective patterns and developing a less adversarial relationship with reactions that have felt frustrating, confusing, or difficult to change.
Individual and collaborative
IFS is one framework among several.
- Clients do not need to use IFS terminology for the work to be useful.
- The approach can be adapted to the individual and the focus of counseling.
- Jordan may combine IFS concepts with other approaches when that better fits the client.