IFS Therapy and the State of things

[Ulax]

Hey folks,

Intro

Wanted to share my experiences with IFS therapy, and make a recommendation to others regarding it. I understand numerous members have engaged with the modality.

My experiences with IFS treatment - Non-IFS institute practioner

I've been involved with IFS therapy since 2019. However, I have been frustrated with my healing process regarding IFS. This has always been a paradox for me as the modality was always marketed as a quick and effective form of healing - a groundbreaking approach.

However, upon seeing a new therapist I understand why my experience has been like this. Up until now, I had not been seeing IFS institute levelled practioners. To my understanding, the institute is the central body for IFS - formed by the modality's founder Schwartz. I had presumed that if psychotherapists put 'Internal Family Systems' in their bios, or 'IFS trained' in their bios, that they would all be adequately trained.

My new experiences with IFS treatment - IFS institute practioner

However, now I believe that is not the case. I have had two sessions with a level 3 IFS practioner and the approach is completely different. It ticks all the boxes of what I previously was looking for. In retrospect, I feel really misled by the previous therapists, and think IFS has a really problem with (to put it strongly) charlatanism. I think this is because the modality is so new.

My advice

I wanted to write this so that other might take this into account when seeking IFS therapy. My recommendation being to get an IFS institute levelled practioner. Also, I wanted to express my experiences too.

[Ulax]

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Edited April 7, 2022 by Ulax
Meant to post this in my journal. My mistake.