Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an evidence-based healing modality developed about 40 years ago by Dr. Richard Schwartz. It emphasizes that we are all made up of many parts, each with a distinct perspective. This isn’t a new concept - for example, Walt Whitman was exclaiming “I contain multitudes” in Song of Myself way back in 1855. But what’s new and incredibly helpful about IFS is that it provides an accessible way to heal the conflicts inside of ourselves by getting to know these parts and partnering with them.

For autistic women and those of the Irish diaspora, many of our parts might be burdened by our difficult experiences, and even by experiences that aren’t necessarily ours, but which belong to our culture, or to our ancestors.  

My healing journey as a member of these groups has involved getting to know many burdened parts who’ve shown up along the way. IFS has helped me to be with these parts as they shared why they felt they had to work so hard, and to hold them as they grieved or raged about what they’d been through. Once they felt heard by me, they relaxed and let me lead.

The result of this work and with an ongoing daily parts practice is that I am much calmer and clearer than I used to be, curious rather than fearful of what the future holds, full of compassion for even those who’ve harmed me, and finding myself increasingly tapping into more courage and creativity. Incidentally, these “C” words are all aspects of the Self, which IFS teaches is the part of us that cannot be damaged, and which loves us deeply.

As we access more Self energy and our parts begin to trust us, we become no longer destined to relive the painful stories of our burdened past. Life becomes lighter, more fun, and fuller of possibility. We’re able to spend more time in the present moment, with more capacity to co-create our own stories.

The burdened strategies of some of the parts I got to know in my healing journey, as well as the beliefs they held, are listed here. The result of my healing work is that these parts don’t feel like they must take on these extreme roles anymore; many have taken on new roles that feel better for them and for me.

This list is to give you examples of what might come up for you if we work together, but it’s important to remember that when we meet, there is no agenda, and we are not trying to get anywhere. The beauty of IFS is that we greet whoever inside shows up, the same as you’d greet an old friend walking down the street.

If this process sounds intriguing to you, I invite you to sign up for a consultation to see if we’d be a good fit.