Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy Clinic Q&A

Internal family systems therapy, referred to as IFS therapy for short, is an evidence-based approach to psychotherapy that facilitates personal growth through healing past traumas. In IFS therapy, the mind is considered to be made up of several different “parts.” These “parts” can take on various roles, such as an inner child or inner critic, and bring up painful feelings such as anger, guilt, or shame.

A core concept of IFS therapy is the Self, which is the pure essence of each person. IFS therapy focuses on helping the person access their Self to heal the other “parts” of the system. To effectively heal these “parts,” IFS therapy involves the unburdening process. This process is essential for releasing painful memories, beliefs, and emotions through the use of healthy coping skills.

While the IFS approach was originally developed for the treatment of individuals with eating disorders, it is also effective for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and suicidal ideation. Additionally, this method is recommended for people who are struggling with feelings of anger, shame, guilt, or self-esteem issues.

Although IFS therapy has been around for over 30 years, there are not many large-scale studies on the effectiveness of this specific approach. However, the smaller studies on the method demonstrate that IFS therapy is effective for individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety symptoms.

Recent studies on IFS therapy found that the approach significantly reduces disrupted self-perception, dissociation, and other PTSD symptoms after a series of 16 sessions. Overall, while there is less research on IFS therapy than more popular approaches, such as CBT, it is still a highly effective and evidence-based method of reducing harmful thoughts and behaviors as well as enhancing mental well-being.

Yes, IFS therapy works. This treatment is beneficial for dealing with grief, self-esteem problems, and career or relationship troubles. Some of the mental health conditions that can be addressed with the help of IFS therapy include:

• Anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), childhood trauma and dissociative identity disorder (DID).
• Eating disorders, such as binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa.
• Bipolar disorder.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Substance use disorders.

IFS helps people diagnosed with various mental health conditions manage their symptoms and adopt healthy coping skills. Some of the key advantages of this IFS therapy include:

• Trauma processing.
• Improved self-compassion.
• A better understanding of self.
• Enhanced emotional resilience in the future.

In summary, not only does this approach work, but it also offers various advantages. If you want to gain a better understanding of how IFS therapy can benefit you, schedule a consultation with one of the skilled specialists at Gold Counseling. Our team is here to help you manage your mental health concerns through a treatment approach that’s tailored to you.

The number of sessions needed to achieve desired improvements through IFS therapy depends on the frequency of your sessions, underlying mental health conditions, and your commitment to the process. Typically, it takes about 2 to 4 sessions to develop an understanding of your mental “parts,” their roles, and an understanding of the work that needs to be done.

After this initial stage is complete, relief from symptoms can be experienced relatively quickly. It usually takes about 1 to 3 additional sessions to notice a reduction in various concerns, such as low self-esteem, dissociation and anxiety.

As IFS therapy is not a time-constrained method, it is often used as a long-term approach. IFS therapy can be applied in couples, family, and individual therapy to treat trauma as well as enhance self-compassion and emotional resilience. By working with a skilled professional, you can experience how IFS therapy can help you overcome tough times and achieve your goals. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Riverdale UT, Washington Terrace UT, Clinton UT, Kaysville UT, Clearfield UT, Farmington UT, Draper UT, Riverton UT, Sandy UT, St. George, UT, Bloomington UT, Santa Clara, UT, and surrounding areas.