Many people seeking trauma therapy are frustrated with more traditional therapeutic methods, and rightly so. If they are working with a therapist who does not have a solid understanding of the Internal Family Systems Model, they may be misdiagnosed and not receive the type of therapy that will help them heal.
Perhaps you have found yourself frustrated in trauma therapy as well. If so, you may find it helpful to understand what is happening among the various Parts and how an IFS therapist would respond.
Scenario 1: A Caring Therapist Triggers Additional Anxiety
It feels good to work with a therapist who genuinely shows they care. However, as your relationship with your therapist grows closer, you may find that your attachment Parts experience more anxiety than normal. On one hand, receiving care from your therapist is a relief because it fills a void in your life. But on the other hand, it also feels abnormal.
This is typically due to a fear of abandonment and being more sensitive to worries of being let down by your therapist. Many therapists do not realize that they are evoking implicit memories, and those memories cause clients too long for even more time with them. As a result, you may feel the need to email, text, or call your therapist more often for reassurance. This is typically problematic within a healthy, therapeutic relationship.
An IFS therapist understands that each Part has its own thoughts and ways of expressing itself. Instead of viewing the client as someone who is psychotic or diagnosing them with a personality disorder, an IFS therapist knows how to address each Part so they feel heard and understood.
Scenario 2: Your Flight Part Expresses Ambivalence About Therapy
If you have experienced feelings of closeness with your therapist, you may be surprised when another Part expresses ambivalence about or even resistance to therapy. There may even be times when you never realized you expressed thoughts like:
It is also common for clients to immediately feel the need to leave therapy sessions when a Part is experiencing too much internal pain.
The flight Part tries desperately to protect the more vulnerable Parts, often without the Self even realizing this is happening. Therapists who are not familiar with or trained in IFS may view these clients as guarded, resistant to treatment, or unmotivated.
However, IFS therapists understand the importance of forming an alliance with the flight Part. This improves engagement in therapy and is beneficial to the overall healing process.
Are You Considering Internal Family Systems Therapy?
If other forms of trauma therapy have not given you the results you were hoping for, it may be time for a change. The Internal Family Systems Model of therapy has shown to be very effective at helping people heal from various types of traumatic events.
Contact me today to make your appointment.
