Internal Family Systems Therapy

"This thoughtful and readable volume addresses the questions that enter most clinicians' minds when first encountering Internal Family Systems: "How will IFS work for me in encountering the kinds of populations and issues I face every day in my practice?" Full of actual case illustrations, Internal Family Systems Therapy brings this new, exciting form of treatment into the therapy room in a way that is substantive, alive, relevant, and exciting." -Terrence Real, author of I Don't Want to Talk About It and The New Rules of Marriage "IFS is a profound and truly innovative treatment method that is based on self-leadership rather than prescriptions from outside. Psychological problems have their origins in attempts to protect a person's fundamental integrity. We all have angry, depressed, confused and seductive parts that started off as ways to cope with life's challenges. Rather than trying to banish them IFS helps us welcome our parts and enlist them to release the burdens we carry from our past. Sweezy and Ziskind's book on IFS is filled with wise and practical chapters from experienced IFS practitioners and teachers to guide clients and therapists alike with the work of healing. I highly recommend it". -Bessel van der Kolk, MD, professor of psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, and author of Traumatic Stress "As a mindfulness-based treatment, IFS is inherently compassionate, gentle, and respectful, allowing therapist and client access to places of deep healing and self-connection. This book beautifully illustrates the power of IFS therapy to reframe many common clinical challenges as internal struggles between parts of us and to open up new possibilities for resolution." - Janina Fisher, PhD, coauthor of the forthcoming book, The Body as a Resource