Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems is a model of psychotherapy that is based on the idea that everybody has many parts, also known as sub-personalities, all interacting with each other much like the way families operate.
Having parts is completely normal, they develop at different times throughout our lives and take on certain roles and responsibilities to help us get through difficult times.
Internal Family Systems
The goal of IFS is to embody the Self and heal our injured parts so we can live with confidence, guided by curiosity and compassion.
"Meeting Alex completely transformed my life, and I don’t say that lightly.
For years, I lived with hypervigilance, anxiety, and a deep sense of unsafety, especially in relationships. I placed other people at the center of my life, constantly compared myself to them, and genuinely believed there was something fundamentally wrong with me.
After years of CBT and medication, I had learned to cope, but I never felt I had healed the root of it. The same patterns always came back.
Then I met Alex.
Using a combination of IFS, hypnotherapy, and meditation, Alex helped me understand what was happening inside me with incredible clarity and compassion. Instead of simply managing symptoms, we worked with the parts of me that had been carrying these wounds and trauma for years.
The changes I’ve experienced have been beyond anything I thought was possible. Things I believed I would struggle with for the rest of my life no longer have the same hold on me. I feel calmer, safer, more connected to myself, and far freer than I ever imagined.
Beyond his skill, Alex is simply an extraordinary human being. He’s deeply compassionate, an exceptional listener, funny, and creates a space where you feel completely safe to be yourself.
If any part of this resonates with you—if you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I keep feeling this way?” or “Will I ever truly heal?” I wholeheartedly recommend giving this work a chance.
It changed my life, and I will always be grateful to Alex for helping me find a version of myself I didn’t know was possible.
Inês - Google 5* Reviews
I use IFS as part of my Hypnotherapy and Mindfulness approach to help clients overcome:
.png){kind=small}
Addictions
Anxiety Disorders
Depression
Phobias
Panic
Trauma
Three Roles of Parts
.png){kind=small}
Hypnosis is not like being asleep or unconscious
Hypnosis is not like being asleep or unconscious
Managers
A manager is a protective part of an individual's internal system that focusses on controlling people, events, and other parts.
They carry huge burdens of responsibility to help the individual fit in, identify potential threats, and manage day to day life. They strive to protect the individual from experiencing difficult emotions or situations by taking charge and making decisions on their behalf.
Managers often exhibit traits such as:
Criticising
Analysing
Pessimism, and planning
Firefighters
A firefighter is a protective part that springs into action to distract, numb, or supress overwhelming emotions when the pain from other parts, especially the more wounded exiles, get activated.
They are part of the internal system's attempt to protect the individual from unbearable feelings and memories, often engaging in behaviours like:
Substance abuse
Binge-eating
Self-harm
Exiles
Exiles are the wounded and vulnerable parts of an individual's internal system that hold deep wounds, store painful memories, emotions, and beliefs related to past traumatic experiences.
When exiles are activated, they can overwhelm the individual with intense emotions like sadness, fear, or shame.
The goal of IFS therapy is to heal and integrate these wounded parts to achieve greater inner harmony and self-compassion.
The Self
The Self is considered the core, unifying aspect of an individual that embodies qualities such as curiosity, compassion, and connectedness. It is the essence of one's authentic being that transcends the protective parts and wounded exiles within the internal system.
The Self seves as a compassionate leader and a source of wisdom, guiding the individual toward self-awareness, healing, and integration of all parts.
In Internal Family Systems Therapy, accessing and embodying the Self is essential for acheiving internal balance, self-acceptance, and emotional well-being.
