What is Internal Family Systems (IFS) & How Does “Parts” Work Help CPTSD Trauma Recovery?

What Is IFS & What Is “Parts” Work?

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a powerful therapy model often used to treat Complex PTSD (CPTSD) and other trauma. In IFS, the mind is seen as made up of various subpersonalities, or “Parts.” Each of these parts plays a role in how we react to and process experiences. The goal of IFS Parts Work is to help you reconnect with these parts, resolve internal conflicts, and strengthen Self-leadership. By addressing both protective and wounded parts, IFS offers a clear path to healing. It’s especially helpful for those living with CPTSD and trauma-related challenges.

IFS for CPTSD (Complex PTSD)

I was drawn to and trained in Internal Family Systems in 2010 & 2011. Since then, interest in this model has skyrocketed, making it nearly impossible for many providers to secure training spots. I’m so grateful I was able to invest when I did!

In addition to completing Level 1 & Level 2 via the IFS Institute, I have also been coaching with Tanner Wallace in her close proximity coaching containers since 2022. In October 2024, I will continue my mentorship with Tanner in the Diamond Circle cohort of the CPTSD Medicine Protocol.

My work with Tanner has deepened and refined my understanding of using the IFS model to guide fellow survivors, decreasing frustration and calibrating to the specific needs of those with CPTSD.

What Is Parts Work?

The goal of IFS Parts Work is to help you find, connect with, & assist parts of yourself that carry beliefs, burdens, strategies, emotions, and energies that detract from your connection to Self and Source:

• Parts that Carry Hurt: These parts often embody feelings of relational betrayal.
  • Their frequency resonates as, “I hurt” or “This hurts.”
• Proactive Protective Parts: Often mistaken as your identity, these parts operate on a strict agenda trying to protect those hurt parts. This often leading to burnout, fatigue & Illness while the essential Self is denied.
  • Their frequency can be captured in thoughts like, “I must/should/have to” or “I won’t/never again.”
• Reactive Protective Parts: When coping mechanisms fail, these more destructive parts take over to avoid pain. Unfortunately, these parts often cause the same harm they were attempting to soothe.
  • Their frequency manifests as, “I will destroy/I will end this” or “I can’t/it’s pointless.”

Making Connections

Interestingly, the frequency of wounded and protective parts corresponds to the 5 Fs of the Autonomic Nervous System: fight, flight, freeze, fawn, and friend. Noticing a nervous system activation is an excellent opportunity for a “parts” check. “Who is here, and what do they need?”

If you’re curious to know more about the healing of the Autonomic Nervous System, you can learn more here.

I encourage you to be curious about how & when your parts relate to each other. What parts work together to protect or soothe? Which parts are in conflict?

The truth of CPTSD is that your internal world will be more complex. This can be overwhelming to understand and work through, especially at first. You may struggle with conflicted and/or complex Parts interactions which contribute to doubt, uncertainty, & decision-making challenges.

The Invitation

While every person & their inner system is unique, common patterns exist among parts. Parts work and increasing Self Leadership can benefit anyone on a recovery journey. For CPTSD recovery, parts work is foundational. For many survivors and cycle breakers, combining Parts Work with lineage journeys can elevate your recovery experience (see blog on lineage journey).

Having an IFS guide is critical at every stage of CPTSD recovery, and I would be honored to be yours. Contact me to schedule your first session and RESET!

Resources

To learn more about my professional training and personal development using IFS for CPTSD, visit:

• IFS Institute
• CPTSD Medicine