Treatment Approach

Approach to Treatment

My approach to trauma therapy follows the Internal Family Systems Model (IFS) of healing and is informed by extensive trainings in somatic therapies.  In this way I have come to understand and treat the effects of trauma that can live on in our body as well as our mind.

The IFS approach is not like traditional talk therapies in that it considers the many feelings, thoughts, and impulses that make up our inner world to be coming from individual “parts” of our personality.   These parts are each like voices that have live inside of us with their own points of view and ways of responding to the many people and situations we encounter in our lives.  [See Resource page for a trailer from the movie "Inside Out" that illustrates this concept graphically.]

Usually, we are easily guided by these inner prompts as we navigate our daily lives.   But when the effects of prior traumatic events persist, the event may not feel like it is something that happened “back then”; instead, it can feel as if it is happening in present time.

To prevent us from feeling such difficult emotions, parts of us will take on various “protector” roles.  And when these roles become extreme - as in the case of trauma survivors - there can be strong internal conflicts between the parts that just want us to be “normal” and get on with our life, and those parts that are willing do what it takes to avoid the discomfort of those trauma-related memories. 

Such protector parts may urge us to avoid people or places associated with the traumatic event; over-control ourself or others to ensure we are not vulnerable; find ways to distract, numb or do whatever it takes to stop those bad feelings and memories if they do begin to arise. 

Over time, such inner tensions can result in anxiety, depression, indecision, and feelings of helplessness/hopelessness and more. This type of chronic mental stress can even affect our physical health. [See the Resource page for a short intro video: "How Trauma Affects the Body".]

IFS offers a roadmap to understand and work with these more extreme responses that may be affecting you in ways that you do not like.  Understanding and engaging with your inner system of protector parts will be the first step in healing from the original trauma.

As trust within your system progresses, younger parts that carry the burden of the past begin to transform resulting in a palpable shift occurs in how you feel about yourself and how you interact with the world around you. 

[For a brief explanation of how IFS works by its founder, Richard Schwartz, PhD, see the Resources page, Intro Video section.]