Queering IFS: Transitional Justice and Collective Trauma in Syria
Welcome to “Queering IFS,” a podcast hosted by Jude and Alessio. In this episode, the hosts are joined by special guest Hani to discuss a deeply moving and complex topic. They explore what the Internal Family Systems model can teach us about the journey toward transitional justice in Syria. This conversation bridges individual psychological work and large-scale societal healing.
Understanding Transitional Justice Through Lived Experience
Hani shares a profound personal story of exile, loss, and the quest for justice. Born in Syria, Hani experienced a life upended by political conflict and the disappearance of family members. Transitional justice emerges as a vital framework for societies recovering from widespread human rights violations. It is a process that requires nations to address atrocities openly and honestly.
The journey toward justice begins with the fundamental right to know the truth. Families of the missing face profound ambiguity when authorities deny basic information or documentation. Without official records of death, grieving individuals remain suspended in uncertainty. Hani highlights how the lack of closure impacts mental health and physical well-being on a massive scale.
The Limits of Individual Therapy in Collective Trauma
Standard psychological models often focus heavily on the individual. Traditional therapeutic approaches view suffering through a diagnostic lens that isolates the person from their environment. However, Hani notes that coming from a tribal background means experiencing family and community in a much larger network. Relying solely on Western, individualistic paradigms fails to capture the reality of collective suffering.
Hani points out the challenge of applying internal family systems therapy to millions of people affected by ongoing war. While Internal Family Systems helps individuals understand their internal parts, it is primarily designed for personal healing. When structural violence and authoritarian regimes dominate a society, one-on-one clinical work cannot meet the immense demand for healing.
Moving from Internal Parts to External Systems
The conversation shifts toward the possibility of expanding IFS concepts outward. Alessio introduces the idea of looking at the collective community as a system filled with wounded parts. Exiled individuals, marginalised groups, and those bearing the weight of trauma all form part of this broader social fabric. Healing requires recognising these external parts and their stories.
Restorative justice offers a path forward by focusing on repairing relationships rather than relying solely on punitive measures. Historical tribal communities often used restorative practices to restore dignity and rebuild social bonds. Hani emphasises that multiple truths must coexist within a society for true reconciliation to happen. Perpetrators and victims often share the same homeland and must eventually find a way to live side by side.
The Importance of Acknowledgement and Witnessing
A central theme in both IFS and transitional justice is the need for witnessing. Internal parts heal when they finally feel heard and understood by the Self. Similarly, communities torn apart by war need validation and public acknowledgement of their pain. Without this crucial step, survivors cannot move on.
When new political regimes take over, they often rely on rigid managers and firefighters to control the situation. This approach bypasses the essential grieving process and ignores the voices of marginalised populations. Alessio stresses that any successful transition must include everyone equally. Excluding women, queer individuals, and minority groups repeats the cycles of oppression that caused the conflict in the first place.
Stories of Loss and the Search for Truth
Throughout the episode, Hani shares heartbreaking examples of the human cost of the Syrian conflict. Families struggle to find closure when loved ones disappear without a trace. The bureaucratic hurdles and financial extortion imposed by corrupt systems add layers of grief to an already devastating situation. Acknowledging these atrocities is a prerequisite for any meaningful societal transition.
Even when confronting extreme perpetrators of violence, understanding the root of their actions remains complex. Hani discusses how personal trauma and the loss of family members often drive individuals to commit horrific acts. While this context never justifies the crimes, it highlights the pervasive nature of trauma within the conflict zone. Comprehensive transitional justice must account for these deep-seated wounds.
Finding Paths Forward Through Community Healing
Addressing collective trauma requires resources and spaces dedicated to storytelling and shared grief. Hani is actively involved in mental health initiatives like “Healing on the Move,” which offers psychosocial companionship to people experiencing displacement. These grassroots efforts demonstrate the power of language and human connection in the face of immense adversity.
As the conversation concludes, the hosts reflect on the importance of listening to diverse voices. Queering internal family systems means questioning established norms and remaining curious about all aspects of human experience. By expanding our understanding of trauma beyond the individual, we can better support communities striving for justice, dignity, and lasting peace.
Contacts and credits
Hane Alrustm (He/Him) - https://www.healingonthemove.com
Alessio Rizzo (He/They) is a Certified IFS psychotherapist, IFS Trainer with the IFS Institute, and Approved Clinical Consultant (ACC) — www.therapywithalessio.com
Jude Carn (She/They) is a Certified IFS psychotherapist and Approved Clinical Consultant (ACC) — www.anchoredinself.co.uk
Sound editing by Forbes Coleman
