Can I Do IFS Therapy On Myself?
When researching Internal Family Systems therapy, it’s common to wonder if it’s something you could just learn to do on your own - after all, it sounds like it basically encourages you to learn how to talk to yourself/parts of yourself. But here’s the thing: learning how to find and work with parts can be nuanced and feel confusing at first, given that it’s not exactly mainstream thinking when it comes to thoughts and feelings. For that reason and more, having someone such as an IFS Counselor in St. Louis, MO, can be an invaluable asset - especially when just starting out with IFS.
While you might feel confident and be adept at charting your emotional course solo, there are benefits of partnering with someone well-trained in Internal Family Systems and risks to engaging the work without such a professional. Think of it as having a knowledgeable co-pilot, someone who knows the route, the challenges, and precisely how to navigate them. And if accessibility to in-person therapy is a concern, the option of doing IFS Therapy online is just a click away.
If, on the other hand, the journey into your inner world seems daunting and akin to exploring undiscovered lands, never fear. If you choose to work with a trained IFS counselor in St. Louis, MO it will be like having an experienced explorer light your way forward. Your therapist will be a supportive companion, helping you unravel the intricacies of your inner emotional parts.
In this post, I’ll outline why teaming up with an IFS counselor in St. Louis, MO significantly enriches your path to self-discovery and healing.
Curiosity fosters self-healing, allowing you to validate and comfort tender parts, freeing you from external validation.
Can You Do IFS Therapy On Yourself?
Let's dive into the fascinating realm of IFS therapy, and particularly, the idea of self-therapy within it. Here's the long and the short of it: while self-therapy in IFS can be empowering, the journey often blooms more vibrantly when first embarked upon with a trained professional by your side. Doing parts work (or “working with parts”, a common way of describing the work that happens in IFS therapy) on your own is a little like learning to ride a bike. It’s exciting! And, having training wheels at the start helps you steer through those initial steps. Think of it as a collaborative effort, where you’re the captain, but a seasoned IFS therapist is your trusted first mate, guiding you through uncharted waters.
Exploring self-therapy techniques within IFS is indeed a crucial aspect of the journey toward self-discovery and healing. At Good Woman Therapy, I champion the idea that while the ultimate goal of IFS is to empower individuals to tend to their internal systems independently, the initial steps often involve partnering with an experienced guide—a trained IFS therapist in St. Louis, MO. This collaboration establishes a foundation, nurturing a deeper understanding of the technique and setting the stage for a more effective self-guided practice.
Working with an IFS therapist at Good Woman Therapy fosters a safe environment for exploration, encouraging the development of tools and insights that can eventually empower you to continue this transformative journey independently.
How Do I Start IFS?
Starting on the journey of Internal Family Systems therapy involves taking gentle steps toward understanding your inner world and the first step is to find an IFS therapist - ideally, one who has completed, at a minimum, level 1 training through the IFS Institute. While it might be tempting to go at it alone, teaming up with an IFS therapist is like having an experienced guide to help you along the way. These healing steps in IFS therapy begin with building a strong connection with your therapist. It's like forming a trusting friendship where you feel comfortable sharing and exploring your thoughts and feelings - except that unlike a friendship, this relationship is focused on and about just you and your internal system. Working together with an IFS therapist opens the door to a transformative experience, giving you the tools and guidance to navigate your emotions with understanding and kindness.
How To Do IFS Therapy
Exploring your internal family system through IFS therapy often involves accessing your inner landscape, a process central to "IFS accessing self." This journey typically commences with the guidance of an experienced IFS therapist, serving as a seasoned navigator aiding your exploration of the intricate map of your psyche. Together, you delve into understanding the various parts of yourself—the wounded fragments, resilient aspects, nurturing components, and unexplored territories. The therapist becomes your compass, assisting in unlocking these diverse dimensions, and fostering a safe space where you can examine, acknowledge, and integrate these components. This partnership sets the groundwork for delving deeper into your internal world, laying the foundation for healing and growth without overwhelming you.
What is the Concept of Self in IFS?
Accessing the core “Self” or “self-energy” in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is a precursor to moving through healing steps in IFS therapy, and is facilitated by going through the 6 F’s Self or self-energy is the you that feels grounded, calm, and accepting. It’s the core of who you are - the you that makes you, you - your undamaged essence. When we are connected to self or self-energy, it is like stepping into a quiet, serene center within yourself. Think of it as finding a wise and compassionate captain on the ship of your mind. This captain, your true Self, guides you through stormy waters, helping navigate the often choppy seas of your emotions and thoughts.
For those asking, “How do I access myself in IFS therapy”, I’ve got an explanation and then an answer. First - being connected to self or self-energy happens in varying degrees, and our connectedness to parts and self/self-energy shifts and ebbs and flows throughout our day, sometimes minute by minute. Second, becoming more connected with self or self-energy naturally happens as we do something called unblending from our protective or wounded part - the 6 F’s often guide us through the unblending process.
With the help of an IFS therapist, this journey to making space for self and self-energy becomes clearer. I’m here as a mentor, showing you the way to access this Self within you. It's about learning to first distinguish and then listen to the voice within that feels calm and understanding, even when other parts of you might be louder or more chaotic. It's this sense of inner knowing that becomes your guide, helping you understand and connect with the different parts of yourself in a more compassionate and self-aware manner. Working with an IFS therapist helps you start this journey toward self-access, creating a sturdy foundation for exploring your internal landscape.
IFS therapy is like having a compassionate conversation with yourself and gently asking "What's happening that’s bringing this reaction?" You're not shutting her up; you're giving her a mic to express herself.
Begin IFS Therapy in St. Louis Today
In navigating the world of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, it's evident that this approach offers a pathway to self-discovery and healing. It's like embarking on a voyage to understand the inner workings of your mind, steering through uncharted territories with the guidance of a seasoned captain—the IFS therapist. So, if you’re asking “How do I start IFS?”, all you have to do is contact me here. While the idea of self-therapy resonates, the supportive environment of a therapist often catalyzes the journey, illuminating the path to accessing your core self.
The collaborative journey in IFS therapy isn't just about diving into the mind's complexities; it's about uncovering the serene center within—a place of self-awareness, compassion, and acceptance. Each step taken, every exploration of the inner world, leads to a deeper understanding of the self, nurturing a more harmonious relationship with your thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
