Break Through Resistance and Unlock Healing with This Transformative IFS Technique
Free IFS Workbook and Case Illustration
Externalizing Parts is a pivotal technique within the Internal Family Systems (IFS) framework. It allows you to personify and engage with different aspects of your client’s inner world as distinct 'parts.'
In IFS treatment, externalizing helps parts to differentiate. While many clients are able to turn their attention inward and get enough separation from parts to communicate with them, some clients, especially those with trauma histories, are at first substantially blocked by protectors and will distract or dissociate if invited to pay attention to their internal experience. For them, externalizing options can be particularly useful and can be done with any one of a great number of activities and props – invite your imagination and creativity.
This powerful method enables you to help clients explore, understand, and accept these parts, leading to profound transformation and healing.
The following worksheet is just one example of an exercise that can be facilitated with clients to help them locate and externalize a target part. Use this as a guide to help release your clients from the pain of trauma, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and so much more!
In IFS treatment, externalizing helps parts to differentiate. While many clients are able to turn their attention inward and get enough separation from parts to communicate with them, some clients, especially those with trauma histories, are at first substantially blocked by protectors and will distract or dissociate if invited to pay attention to their internal experience. For them, externalizing options can be particularly useful and can be done with any one of a great number of activities and props – invite your imagination and creativity.
This powerful method enables you to help clients explore, understand, and accept these parts, leading to profound transformation and healing.
The following worksheet is just one example of an exercise that can be facilitated with clients to help them locate and externalize a target part. Use this as a guide to help release your clients from the pain of trauma, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and so much more!
Get the Complete Collection of IFS Exercises, Didactic Lectures, Live Demonstrations, Video Examples, Meditations & so much more in the Online Course
If you’re interested in adding IFS to your clinical practice you’ll want to take a risk-free look at our online training course, Internal Family Systems Therapy: A Step-by-Step Guide Through Clinical Applications of the IFS Model.
One of the most popular and effective treatment techniques used by mental health professionals today, thousands of clinicians already trust Internal Family Systems in their work to help clients struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and other mental health conditions.
One of the most popular and effective treatment techniques used by mental health professionals today, thousands of clinicians already trust Internal Family Systems in their work to help clients struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and other mental health conditions.
