An Introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS)

05:55

05:55

An Introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS)

by Dr. Inge Wolsink

Type

talks

Activity

Meditation

Suitable for

Beginners

Plays

3

In this introduction to Internal Family Systems, also known as IFS, I explain how IFS helps us understand the different parts within ourselves with more curiosity and compassion. You will learn why one part of you may want to rest while another part keeps working, why anxiety, perfectionism, anger, numbing, or shutting down may all have a protective logic, and why IFS does not start with fixing yourself, but with listening. Internal Family Systems can be a helpful framework for people exploring trauma, stress, anxiety, burnout recovery, yoga, breathwork, self-compassion, mindfulness, inner criticism, and emotional regulation. This video is educational and is not a substitute for psychological or medical care.

Internal Family Systems Self Compassion Protective Mechanisms Self Inquiry Breathwork Emotional Regulation Trauma Stress Anxiety Yoga Mindfulness

Meet your Teacher

Dr. Inge Wolsink

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Meet your Teacher

Dr. Inge Wolsink

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Transcript

Have you ever noticed that you don't always feel like the same person? That there seem to be opposing voices or tendencies within you. One part of you wants to rest, Another part just keeps working. One part of you wants to be kind. Another part suddenly snaps or shuts down. One part of you wants to be calm. Another part overthinks and grasps for control. And when parts of us take over and do seemingly irrational things. We often judge ourselves for it. Why can't I just relax? Why do I keep doing this, Even though I know better? Internal Family Systems or IFS. IFS. Offers a completely different way of looking at this. It teaches us to radically embrace all parts of ourselves with compassion. And to give them a voice. Instead of seeing these reactions as flaws, Weaknesses, Or symptoms, That we need to get rid of. IFS sees them as parts of us that are trying to protect us, Often with feelings and strategies that they learned long ago. IFS starts with the assumption that even the parts of you that create problems have a protective logic underneath them. They have good intentions. The perfectionistic part may be trying to prevent failure. The anxious bar may be trying to keep you prepared so you won't get rejected. The numbing part may be trying to give you a break from overwhelm. And the angry part. May be protecting your boundaries. That doesn't mean every behavior is helpful right now. Some protective strategies can become very painful or destructive. But IFS asks us. Not to pathologize these parts. But instead. . . To listen with curiosity and compassion. To move from fixing, How do I get rid of this part of me? To understanding. What is this part trying to do for me? What is it afraid of? What happened? If it stopped doing this. Why does it need me? To understand. Every part of us has a story to tell. I remember suddenly understanding the profound meaning of life as clear as day. About a year ago high in the French Alps. I came upon an asthmatic woman who was severely hyperventilating. Because I'm a breathwork coach, I could help her breathing slow down, Her heart rate come down, And her body soften. But every time her body calmed down. Terrified voice came back online. But my asthma, My blood pressure, What if something happens and back up? The breathing went. I try to reassure that voice with reason. But I wasn't really listening to what it had to say. And it didn't work. Later, Through IFS, I realized this was not an irrational voice. This was probably a terrified protective part. That had very good reasons. To be scared. And what it needed was not to be argued with. It needed to be heard. It needed to be helped. And since this landed for me. I have been integrating IFS into breathwork. Yoga and coaching. Because it completely changes how we internally relate to ourselves. IFS teaches us to turn towards ourselves with curiosity instead of criticism. And even though many contemplative traditions aspire to teach the same thing, I have found the how part of IFS extremely useful. Because IFS helps us to actually do something with these parts. It helps us to talk to our internal parts. It helps us to learn from them. It helps us to help them. Rather than just witness them passively. If you are curious about IFS, I have a few guided IFS practices on my profile that can help you begin. Thank you for your curiosity in IFS. I'm looking forward to it. To practice together. My name is Inge. I'm an IFS therapist, Breathwork coach, And yoga teacher here on Insight Timer. I'm wishing you a lovely rest of your day.