How Does Change Occur in Internal Family Systems?

You might be surprised to learn that IFS (Internal Family Systems) changes happen differently than expected. The “Manager” part of the system often brings you to therapy, hoping to fix or control others they see as problematic. But here’s the twist: IFS therapy doesn’t aim to manage parts away. Instead, it brings all parts, even the troublesome ones, into connection with your core Self.

You might wonder, “If we’re not trying to change parts, how does anything improve?” The magic lies in the connection. When parts feel heard and understood by your Self, they naturally evolve. It’s like a plant growing towards sunlight, not because you’re telling it to, but because it’s responding to a nurturing environment.

The Process of Change in Internal Family Systems Therapy

In psychological therapy, change is often categorized into different levels. When you’re struggling with an external problem, like a rocky relationship, your first instinct might be to make a “first-level change”—breaking up or trying to alter the relationship. But here’s the thing: while tweaking your environment can help, it’s not always the most effective path to personal growth.

That’s where “second-level change” comes in. This approach digs deeper, encouraging you to examine your life’s underlying rules. In IFS therapy, these rules are your “parts”—the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that shape your responses to the world.

Embracing Your Parts

Your parts aren’t random but developed based on your unique life experiences. They’re trying to protect you, even if their methods sometimes seem counterproductive. The key to change in IFS therapy is building a relationship with these parts. As you delve deeper into Internal Family Systems therapy, you’ll find how it enables lasting change. But that’s just the beginning. “Third-level change” fully recognizes the solution to a problem as a solution in itself.

Certain parts of you often take a “pro-symptom position” to keep underlying danger at bay. They attempt to prevent historical trauma from repeating itself in your life. For example, if you primarily received attention as a child through caretaking or people-pleasing, you might now have an extreme caretaker part that always puts others first. Or you have a people-pleasing part that bends over backward to accommodate others’ whims.

Allowing these parts to have a relationship with your Self opens up the possibility for “fourth-level change”. This is where the magic happens! Your extreme parts start to orient themselves towards your Self and the present moment. They begin reassessing their roles, questioning whether they still apply to their current life.

Transforming Tunnels

Unlike some approaches that build a new, easier tunnel next door, IFS therapy invites you to explore the original one with fresh eyes. Think of it as becoming an emotional archaeologist. With your therapist as a guide, you’ll dig into those problematic feelings, uncovering their origins and purposes. This “constraint-release” model is all about curiosity, not avoidance. IFS therapy takes you on a journey of “fourth-level change.” Fancy term, but what does it mean for you? It’s like hitting the reset button on your internal rulebook. You’ll have the chance to:

• Question long-held beliefs about yourself and the world

• Transform parts of your personality that no longer serve you

• Discover new, more relevant ways of being

You’ll notice a remarkable shift as you continue exploring your inner landscape. By repeatedly venturing into those “tunnels” of your psyche and genuinely seeking to understand what lies within, you’re not just confronting your issues but transforming your relationship with them.
Many people report experiencing a newfound sense of “calm” or “space” within themselves as they practice this approach. It’s as if the internal landscape becomes less cluttered, allowing for more straightforward navigation of thoughts and emotions. This shift extends to how you interact with what you previously saw as your “problems.”

Are you intrigued by the potential of Internal Family Systems therapy? If you’re curious about how IFS Therapy in Colorado Springs could help you on your journey of self-discovery and healing, book a consultation today to learn more.