Introduction to IFS

Imagine your mind is like a big house, where all your thoughts and feelings live together like a big, unique family. This family inside your head is what we call Internal Family Systems, or IFS for short. IFS helps us understand that we have many different parts of ourselves living together, each with its own job or role.

The Parts of Our Inner Family

In our inner family, there are three special types of members:

1. Manager Parts: These are like the planners and organizers of our mind. They try to keep everything running smoothly, making sure we do our homework, brush our teeth, and remember to be nice to our friends. They like to be in control so that we feel safe and happy.
2. Firefighter Parts: Imagine sometimes things in our mind feel like they're heating up, maybe when we're really upset or scared. Firefighter parts spring into action to cool things down, but sometimes they do it too quickly, like eating too much ice cream or yelling when we're angry. They're trying to protect us from feeling bad, but they might not always do it in the best way.
3. Exile Parts: These parts carry our really deep feelings, like sadness from a time we felt left out or hurt. They're called "exiles" because sometimes, we try to keep them out of our mind's "house" so we don't feel sad or scared. But they're still a part of us and need to be cared for.

The Role of the Self

Then, there's the most special part, called the "Self." The Self is like the kindest, bravest leader of our inner family. This part knows how to listen to everyone, help them understand each other, and find the best ways to make us feel better. The Self is always calm, caring, and ready to help.

How IFS Helps Us Heal

With IFS, we learn to be like the Self - a super leader for our inner family. We help the managers not worry so much, let the firefighters know we're okay, and show the exiles they're loved and not alone. It's like having a family meeting where everyone learns to get along better, and we figure out how to feel happier and stronger together.

By understanding all the different parts of us and helping them work together, we can handle tough times better, feel more joy, and be ready for all the adventures life has to offer. And remember, everyone can learn how to do this and become the best leader of their inner family!

Ready to Meet Your Inner Family?

Wow, we've learned a lot about the big, wonderful family living inside our minds, haven't we? If you're curious about how to be the best leader for your inner family, or if you have questions about your manager, firefighter, and exile parts, I'm here to help!

Let's Talk About Your Inner World! 

Why not book a call with me, Jude Reason? Together, we can explore how you can be the calm, kind leader of your inner family, helping all your parts get along and feel happier. It's like going on an adventure inside your mind, where you discover how strong, brave, and kind you really are.

Parents and Guardians, this is a wonderful journey for both you and your child. By learning more about IFS together, you can support each other in understanding and caring for all the parts of your inner families.

Click the link below to schedule a time to chat with me. I can't wait to meet you and explore the amazing world of your inner family!