IFS Resources
MY podcast with IFS psychotherapist and author Emma Redfern, Purely IFS with Emma and Gayle.
is aimed at psychotherapists and other mental health professionals who are transitioning to using the Internal Family Systems model with clients.
Emma and I aim to support IFS professionals by offering clarity and discussion on the various aspects of the model and the key skills. You’ll find us on the major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple.
Join us for stimulating and educational conversations!
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* Stop overwhelm exercise for clients
THIS is an exercise to listen to if you feel overwhelmed or hijacked by parts. In IFS, we don’t use typical calming or self-regulation techniques if we need to calm down or stop a racing mind, such as breathing exercises; we regulate instead through relationship with our parts, which is typically far more effective in the short and long term.
So if you are aware of extreme stress, panic, overthinking, anxiety or sadness, etc, then we understand that there is a part that is trying to get your attention and that what is going to help, is turning to this part instead of trying your best to ignore it – which is what we’re often taught to do.
However, when a part is sufficiently triggered and is really hijacking you, it will be difficult to find any space for your Self.. you will be completely blended with the overwhelming part. At these times, it’s helpful to have someone else temporarily act as the Self in your system, and you may find it helpful to listen to this recording:
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The Myth of Mental Illness
Please click the link here to access a peer-reviewed article by me on the medicalisation of emotional distress, first published in the journal of the Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy, autumn 2023 edition
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Two articles by me, intended for beginner IFS therapists and practitioners, published on the Life Architect website:
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NEW IFS book:
Transitioning to Internal Family Systems Therapy: A Companion for Therapists and Practitioners, by Emma Redfern
(edited by Gayle Williamson).
This exciting IFS book was published in April by Routledge.
It’s packed with practical information for those who have already begin using the IFS model and are encountering typical beginner questions/difficulties.
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IFS book on supervision and self-supervision:
Internal Family Systems Therapy: Supervision and Consultation: A must-read book released last year by the brilliant Emma Redfern, for IFS supervisees and supervisors alike. It includes a great interview with Richard Schwartz and is filled with useful guidance. Published by Routledge.
Easy map of the internal family system
(Feel free to email me if you’d like a printable copy)
- You can read more about IFS in this article by its developer, Richard Schwartz, at https://selfleadership.org/the-larger-self.html
- Richard Schwartz’s latest book, No Bad Parts, is a great introduction to IFS, intended for general readership.
- Self-therapy by Jay Earley is a useful step-by-step guide to using IFS yourself – which, it has to be said, not many people can do. It’s also not recommended for use by those dealing with complex emotional issues. However, it’s a reader-friendly book for clients and beginner IFS therapists alike to gain a better understanding of the approach and get used to the language of parts.