Compassionate
Connections
Trauma Therapy

Internal Family Systems

IFS and “parts work” is a unique modality which emphasizes self-compassion and kind attention to all our various “parts”. Have you ever found yourself saying things like, “I’m torn”, “I have mixed feelings about that” or “part of me feels one way and part of me feels another way.” These are just a few examples of how “parts” show up in our everyday experience. In the case of trauma, some parts become burdened and compartmentalized in an effort to help us survive. These parts can be stuck in the past, but when “Self” is accessed, it can bear witness to these parts and help them let go of their burdens. “Self” is not a part, but an intrinsic, spiritual core that is present at birth and cannot be damaged—indeed, it is the noble efforts of our parts that take on the burdens that would harm the “Self” and therefore need to be appreciated and acknowledged for the hard work they are doing.

These are the six assumptions of IFS and “parts”:

1- All parts have good intentions, even those who misbehave, therefore, we begin therapy with a radical invitation: “all parts are welcome”

2-Our psychic response to injury is predictable: when vulnerable parts are wounded, other parts step in to protective roles.

3- Protective parts behave in predictable ways, some of which look pathological.

4- A destabilized, disrupted inner system can become reintegrated and balanced once it is in relationship with the client’s “Self”

5- The Self is neither created nor cultivated and cannot be destroyed but is, rather, intrinsic and present from birth.

6- Every person had a Self, and the Self can be accessed for healing in every person.

                                                                                                                                   (F. Anderson, M. Sweezy, R. Schwartz, 2017)

I have seen radical healing and powerful shifts in relationship to the past doing this work with my clients.  I believe you have the answers and the resources to get what you need and how to heal. I simply aide you in gaining access to “Self” and to help parts let go of their burdens.

Where we look affects how we feel. Where we look also gives us access to different parts of the brain holding, memory, emotions, and body sensations.

Brainspotting is a powerful, focused treatment method that works by identifying, processing and releasing core neurophysiological sources of emotional/body pain, trauma, dissociation and a variety of other challenging symptoms. Brainspotting is a simultaneous form of diagnosis and treatment, enhanced with Bi-lateral sound, which is deep, direct, and powerful yet focused and containing.

Brainspotting works with the deep brain and the body through its direct access to the autonomic and limbic systems within the body’s central nervous system. It is theorized that Brainspotting taps into and harnesses the body’s innate self-scanning capacity to process and release focused areas (systems) which are in a maladaptive homeostasis (frozen primitive survival modes). This may also explain the ability of Brainspotting to often reduce and eliminate body pain and tension associated with physical conditions.

Brainspotting and IFS are great partners as both provide access to our various "parts" and allow for communication with, understanding of, and release of burdens our parts and body carry.

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