The IFS model describes the presence of the SELF, protective PARTS, and young EXILES in each of us.
The SELF…
The healing essence of SELF is what facilitates healing of all parts. It is something that we are ALL born with. The essence of Self is not damaged, and cannot be damaged by others or by life circumstances. Self has 8 healing qualities: curiosity, compassion, calm, creativity, courage, clarity, confidence and connectedness. Self-energy allows us to relate to ourselves with compassion, patience and humor. In my role as an IFS therapist, I help my clients access their Self-energy so they can work with their protective parts, help free their systems of burdens, and feel more at ease.
Protective PARTS…
IFS holds that all PARTS are welcome. It offers us a non-pathologizing lens to see protective parts. Parts never intend to do harm. These parts, such as criticism, perfectionism, avoidance, and people-pleasing parts of us use proactive strategies to help to keep us on track and manage our day-to-day life. Other protective parts within us are reactive and impulsive. IFS aims to make room to understand and appreciate all parts for their efforts and intentions. Layers of our protector parts, parts such as anxiety and anger, may have developed out of need when we were young and we needed their protective energy.
Young EXILES…
Protectors develop in an attempt to protect young, vulnerable parts called exiles that have been hurt, grief stricken and abandoned. These vulnerable parts often feel alone and unlovable. In IFS therapy, when exiled parts get the space they need to be compassionately seen and heard, they begin to heal and transform. They can then integrate back into your system, exiled no more, in ways that create more freedom, energy, and hope once again.