Internal Family Systems:
the path to self-awareness + self-compassion
IFS or Internal Family Systems therapy is an integrative approach to psychotherapy that addresses and highlights the various “parts” that exist within us all. Some examples of these parts are: the inner child, the protector parts, the perfectionist, the inner critic, etc. Developed by Richard Schwartz, IFS is a beautiful tool for self discovery and in my opinion, a beautiful path to self compassion.
The image shown on the right is from my Manage Your Anxiety Workbook, which includes principles from IFS. You can check it out and purchase it here.
As explained by the IFS Institute:
As any approach in therapy, each therapist and facilitator personalizes the approach to their practice and with their clients. While I am not credentialed or certified as an IFS therapist (yet), I use some of the theory and practices in sessions with some of my clients and in my personal work as well - finding it a beautiful way to heighten self-awareness and increase self-compassion.
Often times, what I have found to be the biggest hurdle in client’s healing process are the challenges in understanding the self: why we act in certain ways, why we feel a certain way and why it feels so challenging to change these things. I have found that in using parts work and supporting clients in identifying and truly understanding what are the parts at play in these various experiences that they are able to gain more insight into understanding themselves.
How do I do this?
Well, as an Art Therapist, I will often encourage clients to engage in art-making as a way to explore and create these parts. This can be using clay, it can be a collage or even a simple shape using markers. This helps to not only see this part as separate from ourselves but also to gain more understanding of its presence through the use of art.
To the left you will see an example of the use of clay as a way to create different shapes and objects to represent some different parts.
Once clients are able to identify and explore these parts, I have found it to be a beautiful way for clients to then increase their self compassion. With this increased understanding, clarity, and softening into these parts, we more often than not recognize - even if it doesn’t always feel that way - that they are trying to protect and support us.
So I encourage you the next time you or a client are feeling discouraged or confused by your emotions or reactions ask yourself : what part may be showing up for me?
If you are looking to explore this work further and want to begin the process of befriending your parts, you can schedule your FREE consultation call with me today. This call serves as a way for us to get to know one another better, I can answer any questions you may have and ultimately determine if working together feels like a good fit for us both.
Or, if you are looking for something more self-paced, I also discuss IFS in my Manage Your Anxiety Workbook which you can purchase here.
Disclaimer: These options are also not a substitute for therapy if you do them on your own. Know that in order for it to be called and considered Art Therapy, it must be supported by an Art Therapist (who is professionally trained and credentialed) otherwise you are simply engaging in therapeutic art-making. All the images shown about are personal art-work I have created for demonstrative purposes.
Reference List:
IFS Institute. (n.d.). What is Internal Family Systems? Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://ifs-institute.com
