The Many States of Mind
Do you have lot going on inside? The answer is most likely, yes. Because of this, Internal Family Systems therapy addresses a fundamental error in the way that we think of our mind and solves how that error leads to suffering. We traditionally think of our minds as being singular. For example; “I have a mind”. IFS suggests that our brain actually functions as a multiplicity. This means that the mind exists in many states. Each state, being a part or “family member” of our internal system. Our outer family is a good analogy to the inner family. In the same way a racist drunk uncle ruins holidays, an tumultuous inner part can disrupt our relationships with others, contribute to destructive behaviors and lead to our own inner anxiety, depression, anger and sadness.
How Parts Cause Suffering
We naturally referred to our thoughts, beliefs and actions as being not wholly integrated with our true self. We think and say things like “a part of me wants to go the party, but another part of me just want’s to curl up and watch Netflix” or “I want to be in a relationship but a part of me just wants to be free”. These not only represent conflicting thoughts and emotions, but completely different, polarized states of being which cause us to be unsettled at best and mentally unstable at its extreme. How could you feel okay when your parts are in conflict?
By learning how different parts function as a system and how the overall system reacts to other systems and other people, people in therapy can often, with the help of a trained mental health professional, become better able to identify the roots of conflict, manage any complications arising, and achieve greater well-being.
Ready to explore Internal Family Systems and your parts, heal and gain a greater sense of well-being?
~Good Therapy, 2018