No debauched parts…. A snapshot of Internal Family Systems therapy

Internal Family System therapy (IFS) uses family systems theory and holds the idea that individuals cannot be fully understood in isolation from their family unit. Personally, I feel that this form of therapy is one of the few that can be helpful for South Asians, as it aims to develop techniques and strategies to address issues within an individual’s internal community (the dialogue of family we have created within us).

It is an evidence-based approach, it focuses on the relationships between our parts and the core Self and attempts to get to know each of these parts better to begin the process of healing (reframing “I am anxious” into “a part of me is anxious”).

The central tenants of IFS assume that:

1.     The human mind is sub-divided into an unknown number of parts. This is an unconscious process.

2.     Each person has a Self, and the Self should be the facilitator in coordinating the inner family.

3.     Parts engaging constructive behaviour are beneficial to the individual. There is no such thing as a “bad part.” Therapy aims to help parts discover their constructive roles. 

4.     Personal growth and development leads to the development of the internal family. 

5.     Adjustments made to the internal system will result in changes to the external system and vice versa.

The three distinct types of parts within the IFS model:

Managers are responsible for maintaining a functioning level of consciousness in daily life and avoiding emotions and interactions that can trigger distress.

Exiles often rooted in childhood experiences, and often present pain or trauma. Managers and firefighters exile these parts and prevent them from reaching the conscious level so that proper functioning and preservation are maintained.

Firefighters serve as a distraction to the mind when exiles break free from suppression. In order to protect the consciousness from feeling the unbearable pain of the exiles, firefighters prompt individuals to act on impulse and engage excessive consumption both addictive and abusive. Firefighters potentially redirect attention to other areas such as sex, work, food, alcohol, or drugs to self-soothe.

While IFS is still in its infancy in the UK, it can provide a safe space and access to your internal family system as a South Asian individual with a unique blueprint pertaining to the diaspora. This is not to be confused with family systems therapy (which focuses primarily on the way family members interact with and impact one another). IFS is a less directive and a solution-focused approach, allowing for organic interaction with your parts without focusing on your external family.

While it has been criticised by the medical model for non-pathologising mental health. However, this can be seen as a core strength of the model, as it decolonises psychological practices. Whilst giving a client space to dialogue with their core Self without a label of “depression”, “anxiety” etc.