The podcast discusses the social and medical models of disability, highlighting their similarities and differences. The social model emphasises how societal barriers create disability, focusing on structural changes for inclusion rather than individual remediation. In contrast, the medical model views disability as an individual deficit requiring diagnosis and treatment. The speakers note that both models are, in a way, deficit-based, one highlighting societal failures and the other individual limitations…

The podcast explores shame, differentiating it from guilt.  Shame is the belief that something is inherently wrong with oneself, leading to hiding and social withdrawal. It differs from guilt, which focuses on actions rather than identity. 

Alessio expresses some dissatisfaction with existing frameworks and introduces the concept of “queering shame.”

The podcast opens with introductions, revealing the speakers’ diverse backgrounds and expertise in IFS therapy and LGBTQ+ issues. 

The central theme revolves around the pervasive influence of the gender binary and its detrimental effects. 

The discussion uses a compelling metaphor: a smoky bar where those conforming to the binary are smokers, comfortable in the toxic environment, while those outside the binary are non-smokers…

This episode begins with introductions by Alessio and Jude, who establish their backgrounds as IFS therapists with a focus on neurodiversity and queer clients. 

They then introduce the core question: is the Self, in the IFS model, queer? They immediately acknowledge the complexity of this question…

The podcast discusses a significant gap in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy: the lack of open discussion regarding healthy sexual expression. Ali, a therapist specialising in IFS, argues that the field historically avoided discussing sexuality due to its roots in sex-negative cultural and religious norms.

Defining the Self in IFS

The conversation begins with an exploration of the Self within the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. Alessio and Jude acknowledge the difficulty in providing a definitive explanation of the Self, highlighting the lack of a single, universally accepted definition within the IFS framework. They explain that a common misconception is the pursuit of a state of complete unblending from parts.

This episode delves into the complexities of pronouns within the context of IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapy, particularly for queer and neurodivergent individuals. Jude and Alessio discuss the importance of respecting client and parts pronouns, share personal journeys with pronoun usage, and offer practical guidance for therapists on navigating this sensitive topic with clients. The conversation highlights the fluidity of gender identity and the potential for misgendering to cause harm, emphasizing the need for curiosity and respect in therapeutic practice.

Dick Schwartz, the founder of IFS, often talks about “trailheads”. In this article I explain as clearly as possible what we mean by them.

This article looks at gender and sexual identity formation through the lens of IFS, and introduces the model of the Star of Self.

Lear what Self-like parts are and how to differentiate them from Self in IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapy.

The 3 reasons that make IFS Therapy a good match for the LGBTQI* community

Listen to this free guided IFS meditation to allow your body to enter into a state of self-healing.

Learn the 6 main reasons why parts do not leave their extreme roles according to Dick Schwarts, the founder of IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapy. I will also give you tips on how to get “unstuck”, and a free PDF download.

Learn what intrusive thoughts are and 3 steps to deal with them from an IFS (Internal Family Systems) perspective

Learn how to work with guilt using the language and tools of IFS Therapy.

Discover what burdens we carry due to gender norms from an IFS perspective.

Read about the 8 C’s and 5 P’s of Self in IFS Therapy according to Richard Schwartz. Free download of PDF sheet available.

Discover why healing an exile in IFS Therapy might not be fully achieved during a session.

Discover the key role that blending and unblending have in IFS Therapy

Whether you are a therapist or a client, the question “How do you feel towards this part?” is key to the IFS journey. Find out why this question is so important and how you can find alternative ways to ask.

Find out about the 6 main psychological reasons why it is so difficult to lose weight. I use the language of IFS (Internal Family Systems) Therapy by Dick Schwartz to explain these reasons.

Learn how Dick Schwartz, the founder of IFS Therapy, describes the ways in which we exile the most vulnerable and vital parts of ourselves.

A collection of IFS meditations and a review of the meditations included in “Meditations for Self” by Richard C. Schwartz, including the famous path meditation.

Discover how IFS (Internal Family Systems) sees OCD based on the writings of the founder, Richard C. Schwartz

Learn what unburdening is in IFS as described by Richard C. Schwartz

Learn what to look for in a psychotherapist when you want to bring your polyamory to your sessions. IFS (Internal Family Systems) could be a good model for you.

In this article, I am going to describe how IFS works with clients to change limiting beliefs that no longer serve a purpose in life, and how it is different from CBT.