Internal Family Systems
Parts-Work or Inner Child Work

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz in the 1980s. This model views the mind as composed of various sub-personalities or "parts," each with its own unique qualities, emotions, and roles. According to IFS, these parts often operate within an individual's internal system to protect or manage aspects of their personality. The therapeutic process involves helping individuals explore and understand these internal dynamics, fostering communication and harmony among the different parts. By acknowledging and working with these internal "protectors" and "exiles," individuals can achieve a more balanced and integrated sense of self. IFS has been used effectively in the treatment of various mental health issues, including trauma, anxiety, and depression, providing a framework for individuals to develop a more compassionate and cooperative relationship with their internal selves.

Parts-work is a broader umbrella term for any therapeutic approach that supports the client in understanding how their internal parts (or self-states) impact their functioning, and resolving conflict between the parts.  Parts work includes therapeutic techniques such as the dissociative table technique (conference room technique) and inner child dialoguing. 

More specifically, Inner Child Work often involves building a helpful, compassionate, nurturing relationship between the client’s most adult part of self, with younger, more vulnerable self-states (often who are holding the memories of past trauma or unmet needs from neglect). 

Additional Methods:

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach that was developed to help individuals overcome the effects of traumatic experiences. This therapeutic technique involves a structured eight-phase process that includes the use of bilateral stimulation, typically in the form of side-to-side eye movements. The goal of EMDR is to help individuals process distressing memories and alleviate associated emotional and physiological distress.

    Learn more about EMDR here.

  • Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) is a therapeutic approach that integrates elements from psychodynamic, attachment theory, emotion-focused therapy, and body-focused approaches. AEDP emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and secure therapeutic relationship to facilitate emotional healing and transformation. The approach encourages the exploration and processing of emotions in the present moment, aiming to help individuals develop a more secure attachment to both the therapist and their own emotional experiences. AEDP places a strong emphasis on positive transformation, seeking to uncover and build upon an individual's strengths and resilience. This psychotherapeutic model is often utilized in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, and relational difficulties, fostering a deep and empathic connection between the therapist and the client to support emotional healing and growth.

  • Attachment-Based Therapy is a therapeutic approach grounded in attachment theory, emphasizing the impact of early relationships on an individual's emotional and psychological well-being. This therapeutic model seeks to explore and improve patterns of emotional connection and attachment in relationships. The therapist collaborates with clients to identify and address attachment insecurities, fostering a more secure and supportive relational environment. Attachment-Based Therapy is widely used to address a range of relationship issues, including those arising from childhood attachment experiences, and it can be particularly beneficial in treating individuals with a history of trauma or disrupted attachment bonds.

  • This evidence-based approach focuses on addressing distorted thought patterns and behaviors related to traumatic experiences. It often incorporates techniques such as exposure therapy and cognitive restructuring.

  • Originally developed for individuals with high levels of dissociation and reactivity, DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness and acceptance strategies. It can be helpful for managing intense emotions and improving interpersonal relationships.

  • This approach combines traditional talk therapy with body-centered techniques to address how the body holds and processes trauma. It focuses on bodily sensations, mindful awareness, and movement to promote healing.

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the emotional bonds within relationships, particularly romantic partnerships. Developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, EFT is grounded in attachment theory and emphasizes the significance of secure emotional connections in fostering healthy relationships. The primary goal of EFT is to help couples identify and understand patterns of negative interaction, which often stem from unmet emotional needs and fears of abandonment. Through a structured process, EFT aims to create a secure and supportive emotional bond between partners by promoting open communication, empathy, and vulnerability. Therapists using EFT guide couples in reshaping their emotional responses and fostering a more secure attachment, ultimately leading to stronger and more resilient relationships. EFT has been widely recognized for its effectiveness in helping couples navigate challenges and cultivate deeper emotional connections.

  • Particularly useful for complex trauma, NET involves constructing a detailed narrative of the traumatic experiences to help individuals process and integrate their life story.

  • Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and body awareness, can help individuals develop present-moment awareness and reduce symptoms associated with trauma.

  • The Gottman Method, developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, is a renowned approach to couples therapy grounded in extensive research on marital relationships. Based on their observations of thousands of couples, the Gottmans identified key principles that contribute to the success or failure of relationships. These principles include the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling), which are negative communication patterns that can erode the foundation of a relationship. The Gottman Method also emphasizes the importance of building a strong foundation of friendship, fostering emotional intimacy, and enhancing conflict resolution skills. Additionally, the concept of "Love Maps" is central to the method, encouraging couples to continually update their knowledge of each other's inner worlds. The Gottman principles provide practical tools and strategies to help couples strengthen their connection, manage conflicts constructively, and build a lasting, fulfilling relationship.