Online Internal Family Systems Therapy: Navigating the Evolving Stages of Life.
In the realm of psychological healing and personal growth, Online Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy, often intertwined with the concept of "constellations," represents a fascinating evolution of therapeutic practices. This approach has smoothly transitioned into the digital era, facilitating swift insights and transitions in individuals' life narratives.
What is Internal Family Systems and how can be done online?
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic approach that recognizes and addresses multiple subpersonalities or parts within an individual's psyche, aiming to heal wounded parts and restore balance. By acknowledging these parts, the therapy fosters self-awareness and self-compassion, leading to psychological healing. Conducted online, IFS utilizes digital platforms to facilitate sessions, where therapists and clients can engage in discussions, use virtual tools like digital whiteboards or wooden figures for visualization, and undertake the therapeutic process remotely.
The Role of Wooden Figures in Online Therapy
In online IFS Therapy, the use of wooden figures stands out as a creative and effective tool for externalizing and exploring the internal dynamics of the client's psyche. These figures act as tangible representations of the key actors in the "play" of the client's life, including the various parts of their internal family system. Placed against the backdrop of a white canvas, these figures help both the therapist and client to visualize and navigate the complex relationships and emotions at play.
The Therapeutic Process: A Play in Acts
The therapy unfolds in stages, beginning with the client expressing their desires and identifying their core issues. The therapist, using intuition and tuning into the resonance in the field, helps to arrange the figures on the canvas, mirroring the current state of the client's internal dynamics. This visual and tactile approach aids in uncovering the relationships and positions of the different parts within the client's system.
As therapist and client move from figure to figure, embodying each one, they delve into the feelings and worldviews associated with these parts. This empathetic exploration fosters a deeper understanding of the client's inner landscape and the narratives that dominate their psyche.
The next stage involves reimagining these relationships, searching for a new story that aligns with the client's desired outcomes. This involves shifting the positions of the figures on the canvas, symbolizing changes in the internal dynamics and relationships. Through this process, clients and therapists co-create a narrative of healing and transformation, grounded in specific truth statements and phrases that embody the client's aspirations and insights.
Applications of Online IFS Therapy
Online IFS Therapy, with its innovative use of wooden figures and digital platforms, offers a versatile tool for addressing a wide array of psychological issues. From enhancing self-confidence and improving relationships to navigating life transitions and overcoming specific challenges, this approach provides a unique pathway to healing and personal growth. It is especially potent in helping individuals learn to complete the cycles of their stories, each with a beginning, middle, and end, leading to resolutions that often reveal profound insights and facilitate progression to the next stage of development.
Ready to explore? Set a compimetay call with internal family therapist Elena Mosaner. Fill out the form or call.
Elena Mosaner, MS, is a Certified Hypnotherapist, Master NLP Practitioner, and ICF Certified Coach with over 15 years of experience in helping people with habit-building, conquering fears, confidence-building, performance, and other personal development and wellness issues. She is also an author and the founder of HypnoCloud, a digital hypnotherapy app. Contact us for your complimentary consultation.