Internal Family Systems

Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS) offers you a place to reconnect to and heal your inner world, giving you a new relationship with yourself. 

Hi, I’m Tiff and if you are looking for an IFS therapist then I’d be honoured to connect with you to discuss your needs. My approach to therapy is trauma informed, gentle, non-pathologising and collaborative. I believe that you are the expert in you and I encourage collaboration and feedback to ensure that therapy together is meeting your needs. All parts are so very welcome in our work together and I offer you Self energy, guidance and a safe, accepting space to explore your inner world in a way that feels right for you and your system. 

A little more about IFS:

The basis of the IFS model of therapy is that the mind is multiple. It recognises that we are all complex human beings and that we are naturally made up of many ‘parts’.  It is an evidenced based form of therapy which has been shown to be very effective in the treatment of trauma, depression, anxiety and addictions. 

IFS works with the mind and body, based on the idea that we are all made up of parts, parts that carry wounds, painful memories or beliefs and parts that try to protect us from feeling or accessing these wounds. These parts of ourselves relate to each other a bit like a family. Some parts may work together and get on, while others may be in conflict with each other. 

Our parts may be at times at odds with one another. Perhaps a part of you wants to relax and another part of you thinks that relaxing is a waste of time. Maybe a part of you wants to reach out to your loved one to make up after an argument, but another part is still feeling too angry to reconnect. Perhaps there is a part of us that feels anxious and a part of us that feel frustrated with our anxious part. We may have a part that knows it would be good to be kinder to ourselves, but perhaps there is a self critical part that is afraid to let go of criticising us. 

In IFS everyone also has a Self, a Self that we are all born with, a Self that cannot be damaged. After difficult life experiences and trauma the Self system and access to Self can break down and our parts may become more burdened, protective and polarised. This can result in inner turmoil and in our parts losing trust in the Self. However IFS believes that with guidance we can begin to access our Self energy again and support ourselves in healing and in reconnecting to Self trust, Self energy and inner harmony. 

IFS therapy can help to reconnect us to Self leadership and the 8 C’s of Self energy: