Internal Family Systems Therapy
IFS is a form of psychotherapy based on the idea that there is a family of ‘parts’ inside us all!
Our parts are of course influenced and shaped by our real life families but IFS focuses on our internal, psychological family.
This is a unique and personalised experience for each individual. You don’t have to bring all your relatives with you to the therapy session or even tell them anything about it!
All practitioners must have completed a post graduate training course with the IFS institute. Our therapist Alice Ritch has completed IFS Level 2.
Compassion
Confidence
Creativity
Curiosity
Courage
Calm
Connectedness
Clarity
Everyone has these qualities of inner wisdom. In IFS therapy we help clients to connect with their core sense of strength which offers great capacity for healing at a deep level.
All feelings are welcome
In many therapies it is common to find techniques which attempt to control or divert us from unwanted feelings and thoughts. In IFS we do the opposite and all feelings are welcome. In IFS, when we get to know our inner world and all the parts that make up our own unique system, we realise that all our parts have good intentions (even if they don’t always operate in the most useful way!)
In an IFS therapy session, you will get to know your parts (in a safe and respectful way), learn to understand them and heal the hurts they are holding. By accessing your own sense of Self, in the presence of a supportive therapist, you can build your capacity to lead your own internal system in a collaborative and balanced way.
Trust the system
Alice’s approach…
Over the years the biggest lesson I have learned as a therapist is to trust each client’s inner process. Everyone brings their own unique experiences to the therapeutic relationship. With unconditional support, their system will find what it needs. My approach is very much based on deep, attentive, respectful listening and letting people uncover a path to wellbeing at their own pace.
This path of self-discovery is often a profound experience for clients. It can also be creative, lightsome and playful…
Listening without judgement
Our inner systems have been influenced by our experiences. Many of the ways we respond and react to things in the present are due to things that happened in the past.
The IFS approach can offer an opportunity for us to connect with our own younger parts, to get to know them better, hear their stories and offer them nurture, care and opportunities that they may have missed out on.
Book an appointment
IFS sessions usually cost £55 for a 50 min session.
Alice offers free 15 min Zoom consultations for new clients. Please email Alice on aliceritch@proton.me to arrange an initial chat.
It’s always good to connect and you can get a feel for whether I am someone you would like to work with and ask any questions. It can help us figure out what is going to be most useful for you.
Look forward to meeting you, Alice