IFS envisions the consciousness as composed of a central self with three types of subpersonalities or parts: those include managers, exiles, and firefighters. The premise is that each of us is born with a Central Self that is typically calm, compassionate, confident, curious, creative, courageous, clear, and connected.
The self organizes all of the parts that help us to live our day-to-day lives. They help us to organize information as well as detect danger. When we lead with the Self, we approach situations in life mindfully and with purpose.
But, under stress, our subpersonalities take over. The parts, developed in childhood, are triggered on old wounds like shame, rejection or trauma.
IFS allows you to work with those parts in a more productive way to promote healing and cooperation
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) aims to empower a person by teaching him to adopt positive and empowering beliefs to replace negative emotions through a systematic, goal-oriented approach.
CBT has three primary components: Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Compassion-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
This method can be used to treat a wide variety of diseases such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, eating disorders, depressions, anxiety and even panic attacks.
Studies have shown that his method was been able to product the fastest results ala “Instant relief.” However, long term therapy is needed to produce long lasting effects.
The Self helps to bring the parts back to their natural state of being by providing the parts with the Self’s leadership qualities.
IFS calls these The 8 C’s.
They are: confidence, creativity, clarity, curiosity, courage, calmness, connectedness and compassion. These are qualities that were once part of their natural state but have been taken away and replaced with dysfunctional patterns because of trauma. Once you learn how to come from the Self, you will be able to take charge, heal these parts, and have stability within your life.
The brilliance of IFS is that it allows you to be both objective and compassionate; that is, you can both see the part as it really is and accept it.
These two qualities form a potent combination that is rare in methods of inner work.
Are you looking to get a better handle on your life, and are you finding that self-criticism, procrastination or other self-created obstacles are holding you back?
How would your life be different if each decision and action came from a clear, centered place?
IFS teaches a systematic way of working with the problematic parts of yourself and shows you how to live from your most authentic Self in a gentle loving supportive way.
