Internal Family Systems Therapy 2nd Edition PDF Download Free

Maybe to a typical Westerner approaching the subject of mind, the psycho concept of multiplicity of parts behind IFS might be considered somewhat strange in comparison to say thousands of years of Shamanistic healing practices. Modern forerunners spring to mind like Jung’s active imagination (along with complexes and archetypes), i.e. “the technique wherein the contents of one’s subconscious are translated into images, narrative or personified as separate entities” (Wiki); and, Psychosynthesis’ subp’s (Assagioli, Ferrucci) likely to have been Dick’s background learning – along with Hakomi body centred therapy (Kurtz). What these therapies’ further share in common is a validation of the importance of the spiritual level of human existence (Self-energy).

However, unlike most multi-part therapies, the make-up of a ‘part’ in IFS does not constitute an unidimensional emotional energetic force, nor is it locked into one specific role, or the result of an introjected childhood script (internalisation); further it is not only a diagnosis of a pathology, such as frozen traumatic phenomena. Instead, IFS considers all these characteristics and more to be features of a rounded, living identity, either born wholly manifest or remaining latent until triggered; and with each part capable of inhabiting a range of qualities, including its untainted ‘naturally valuable state’.

There is more than a passing nod to Shamanic practices of the past such as ‘soul retrieval’ with IFS’s ‘witnessing’ and the removal of emotional blockages (‘unburdening’). Nevertheless, an original aspect which makes IFS’s provenance all the more ‘curious’ (one of the eight markers of Self) is how having previously trained in external family systems (EFS?) therapy and initially discounting intrapsychic phenomena as bunkum, Dick stumbled across the concept of Parts, despite: “the idea we are collections of inner people do not fit well with Western scientific traditions.” In tracking the inner dynamics of his clients, he came to realise the parts resembled the dysfunctional ones he had learnt about in external family systems; eg. lost child, hero, scapegoat, parentised child, etc., which exhibited an underlying dynamic of being forced into an extreme role because of misattunement to an adverse environment, ie. from scarring or wounding.

In IFS theory, these once naturally valuable parts (aspects of the real Self) become imprisoned by a series of jailors and are pushed into the shadow as Exile parts. Jailors acting as Protectors either operate based on minimising the risks of danger to the Exiles (Manager with a future-orientated planning function) or in reducing the harmful feelings the Exiles can bring to the system (present moment Firefighters with a somewhat reckless attitude). To add further conflagration to the system the Protectors also can have exiles who are wounded (to a lesser or greater degree) and need to be approached first in building trust and a relationship, termed ‘be-friending’.

IFS therapy involves getting the client to unload the burdens (extreme emotions and beliefs) carried by the parts and traps them in their roles, transforming these into liberated energetic elements in the psyche once again. It does so by entrusting the Self to be involved in this process establishing a relationship between the client and their own Self as an internal axis of reflective ‘Insight’, or with the assistance of the Self of the therapist/practitioner using loving presence to talk to the client in a technique called ‘Direct Access’. IFS does not require tactile sensory input from the practitioner and the session can be carried out in secret without any disclosure. Due to its client-centred approach the primary healer-client dyad is reversed inside as the client’s newly brought out Self-energy becomes the internalised good figure (rather than the therapist as attachment figure).

IFS’s emphasis on collaboration has obvious applications in the study of Leadership since it promotes the Self much more as an active leader of a system (whereas Jung talked about the passive witness, for example); and in its Center for Self Leadership, promoting IFS’s organising principles and insight-busting model for handling conflicts, the world might have every reason to dare to hope.

Finally, IFS’s openness to giving access to training to those without a clinical therapeutic background is a welcome sea change IMHO and with its ready adaption to the virtual world of the Internet and facility at providing a spine to many multi-modal approaches, there is every reason to believe mainstream take-off is not futile. Either by chance or cosmic opportunity IFS seems ready-made for this decade’s grand revolution in the wellness space…

I am not a therapist but, instead, I have been doing this therapy on myself for the last few years. It has improved my life immeasurably and, in particular, has had a massive impact on the quality of my relationships with others. It’s difficult to explain it to people so sometimes I say, “You know the film/movie Inside Out? It’s a bit like that!”. A couple of years ago, I bought the original IFS Therapy book which was written in the 90’s but this is so much better with new insights, up to date findings and how it fits in with the world we live in now. It’s aimed at therapists so not all of it was relevant to me. However, it is easy to read and clearly written even for a non-therapist such as myself to understand. It is a fantastic book about a fantastic therapy.

This is a really excellent book, which is an update of the original Internal Family Systems book (published in 1997). It covers both the theory and practice of Internal Family Systems. I have found it to be a very transformational method of working with the psyche. There is a wonderful chapter on the Self, which is central to IFS. I also liked the chapters on IFS and the body; the role of the Therapist in IFS; and Treating couples with IFS. Part two has 7 chapters which bring you through the entire method.

The book is written mainly for therapists but clients of IFS would also benefit from reading it and it’s very accessible with very little jargon. I highly recommend it.

Fantastic explanation of IFS. I found some of the language quite academic, but still easy to read. Highly recommend for anyone interested in IFS.

Very well written, concise, easy to follow. Sample cases consolidate the application of the theoretical model.