Leslie Petruk – Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) with Children & Parents: Innovative Interventions that Combine the Strength of IFS with the Power of Play

Outline

INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS (IFS) MODEL INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS (IFS) MODEL

• How it’s different than traditional therapy modelsHow it’s different than traditional therapy models
• Basic assumptions, goals of therapy Basic assumptions, goals of therapy
  • What are parts? Managers, firefighters and exilesWhat are parts? Managers, firefighters and exiles
• Limitations of the research and potential risksLimitations of the research and potential risks

THE IFS PROCESSTHE IFS PROCESS

Identify and Connect with the Target Part Identify and Connect with the Target Part

• Separate the client from the symptomSeparate the client from the symptom
• Find the real story behind the symptomFind the real story behind the symptom

Working with the Protective Parts Working with the Protective Parts

• Address the fears and concerns of the partsAddress the fears and concerns of the parts
• Develop a relationship with the protectorsDevelop a relationship with the protectors

Heal the Wounded Part Heal the Wounded Part

• Witness the pain rather than re-experiencing itWitness the pain rather than re-experiencing it
• Release and unburden thoughts, feelings, and beliefsRelease and unburden thoughts, feelings, and beliefs

BLENDING IFS INTO PLAY THERAPY BLENDING IFS INTO PLAY THERAPY

Non-Directive, Child-Centered Non-Directive, Child-Centered

• Basic assumptions across both models: Child chooses the nature of play Basic assumptions across both models: Child chooses the nature of play
  • Trust that the parts will emerge during playTrust that the parts will emerge during play
  • Unconditional positive regard remains paramountUnconditional positive regard remains paramount
• Getting started: How to help parts feel safe and welcomedGetting started: How to help parts feel safe and welcomed
• Presenting Issues: Trauma, attachment, behavioral challenges, anxiety, depressionPresenting Issues: Trauma, attachment, behavioral challenges, anxiety, depression
• Track the client’s parts (and yours!) throughout sessionTrack the client’s parts (and yours!) throughout session
• Work with blended parts & how to externalize partsWork with blended parts & how to externalize parts
• Direct access vs. in-sightDirect access vs. in-sight
• Developing a Self-to-part relationshipDeveloping a Self-to-part relationship

IFS-Informed Play Therapy Strategies IFS-Informed Play Therapy Strategies

• Interviewing the partsInterviewing the parts
• Parts mappingParts mapping
• Shaping your partsShaping your parts
• Parts’ dramaParts’ drama
• And more!And more!

LET’S PLAY – BRING IFS TO LIFE LET’S PLAY – BRING IFS TO LIFE

Activities, Case Studies & Videos Activities, Case Studies & Videos

• Externalizing a part clay activityExternalizing a part clay activity
• Sand Tray therapy videoSand Tray therapy video
• Parts, exiles, and Self in the Sand TrayParts, exiles, and Self in the Sand Tray
• Developing Self-to-part relationship activityDeveloping Self-to-part relationship activity

*Bring your own favorite play things – mini’s, paper, pencils, oil pastels, crayons, markers, clay squares*Bring your own favorite play things – mini’s, paper, pencils, oil pastels, crayons, markers, clay squares

IFS AND PARENTINGIFS AND PARENTING

Improve Connection, Communication, and Cooperation Improve Connection, Communication, and Cooperation

• Weaving IFS concepts into discussions with parentsWeaving IFS concepts into discussions with parents
• Help parents identify their parts and how they are activatedHelp parents identify their parts and how they are activated
• How shame and punishment create exilesHow shame and punishment create exiles
• Help parents let go of agendas and meeting the kids where they are atHelp parents let go of agendas and meeting the kids where they are at
• Successfully engage even the most disconnected parentsSuccessfully engage even the most disconnected parents

IFS-Informed Parenting Strategies IFS-Informed Parenting Strategies

• Doing the YOU turnDoing the YOU turn
• Befriending vs. managing the child’s partsBefriending vs. managing the child’s parts
• Parts mappingParts mapping
• The 8 C’s of SelfThe 8 C’s of Self
• And more!And more!