IFS

Internal family systems (IFS) therapy can help you better understand the workings of your mind and learn coping mechanisms to process conflict or trauma. At Happy Apple, based in Columbus Circle, Manhattan, and serving Midtown, Central Park South, the Upper West Side, and the Upper East Side of New York City, Maggie Vaughan, MFT, PhD, and the team provide personalized IFS therapy to treat various mental health conditions or help you through life’s general challenges. Call Happy Apple or schedule an appointment online to find out if you can benefit from IFS therapy today.

What is internal family systems therapy?

IFS therapy may sound like it’s for families or groups, but it’s really an approach to individual psychotherapy. This technique helps you categorize and understand multiple sub-personalities, or “families,” within your psyche. While there may be many different components, the main three are as follows.

The firefighter

The firefighter parts of your mind become activated whenever you encounter a mental health trigger. These components work to mitigate the issue and regulate your feelings. They drive you to engage in certain behaviors, such as substance use, to stifle your trigger response. 

The manager

The manager parts of your mind drive you to plan ways to avoid feeling negative emotions or pain. 

The exile

The exiles in your mind are the negative components, such as traumatic memories and shame. Much as the managers and firefighters attempt to mute them, the exiles occasionally rise to the surface. 

In addition to these components, IFS therapy acknowledges your core “self,” which consists of positive traits like confidence, compassion, and patience. 

Who is internal family systems therapy for?

Many people who seek professional help with their mental health can benefit from IFS therapy specifically. You can visit Happy Apple and receive IFS therapy even if you’re just going through a rough life patch or experiencing a major life change. Otherwise, you might benefit from IFS therapy if you’ve been diagnosed with:

• Anxiety disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• An eating disorder
• Substance use disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Interestingly, IFS therapy has also been shown to improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. 

During IFS therapy, you’ll learn tools and coping mechanisms that empower you to better understand and manage your internal conflicts. 

What can I gain from internal family systems therapy?

IFS therapy has lots to offer, and you’ll benefit from your personalized sessions in multiple ways. The team at Happy Apple tailors your IFS therapy care plan according to your personal needs and concerns. 

Some key benefits of IFS therapy are:

• An improved understanding of yourself
• Increased self-compassion
• Preparation for future emotional challenges
• Reduced depression and anxiety symptoms
• New perspectives on your mental health symptoms

IFS therapy helps you reframe your mental health symptoms as normal reactions to trauma, not as clinical diagnoses. 

For more information on IFS therapy or to see if it’s a good fit for you, call Happy Apple or book an appointment online today.