IFS

What is IFS?

IFS is a psychotherapy approach that identifies and addresses multiple sub-personalities within your mental system. Such personalities may attempt to control and suppress painful emotions, such as shame and anger, which can lead to conflict with one’s core self. IFS is a highly effective form of therapy that can help you overcome common symptoms of mental health challenges.

ISF focuses on healing wounded parts of your mental health and restoring balance by altering the dynamics responsible for distress. The Doran mental health experts are highly skilled and IFS level 3 trained.

Which conditions can IFS therapy help treat?

IFS at Doran is often used to help treat the following conditions:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression 
• Phobias
• Panic attacks
• Trauma
• Physical health conditions causing chronic pain
• Substance misuse

Your provider may integrate IFS with other therapies (such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing or EMDR), medication management, or lifestyle modifications. 

Am I a candidate for IFS therapy?

The Doran team completes an in-person or virtual mental health evaluation to determine if IFS or other therapies are right for you. They discuss any past traumatic events and your lifestyle, mood, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to create an effective treatment plan if needed.

What can I expect during IFS therapy?

During IFS therapy sessions, you’ll work with a therapist to identify and understand the sub-personalities that make up your mental system. 

They help you hone in on suppressed emotions, address underlying causes of mental health concerns, and overcome and release problematic feelings. You’ll learn positive ways to manage conflict, such as visualization, relaxation exercises, and journaling. You may complete:

• Parts work: recognize and engage with various parts of your personality to achieve inner healing
• Inner child work: identify younger and vulnerable parts of yourself carrying childhood pain, allowing you to release burdens and heal
• Shadow work: explore and integrate repressed parts of your internal system by creating a compassionate inner dialogue

Ultimately, you’ll identify the parts of your mind that need healing, describe past experiences, explore your feelings, and shift how various parts of your mind function to create positive mental health changes and restore trust in yourself.

Take advantage of IFS therapy at Doran today by scheduling an in-person or telehealth evaluation by phone or online.