IFS DROP-IN HEALING CIRCLES

IFS Drop Ins - open healing circles - are based on Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy… but with extra community. They are gatherings where we come together to explore our inner parts, normalise our multiplicity and help facilitate inner harmony.

Why do IFS in groups? Group work helps normalise parts as we witness others speaking for their parts and it’s fertile group for immediate access to the parts in us that get triggered by others in a group setting! Simply its so wonderful being in community with shared Self energy, it can be a hugely powerful tool for self-discovery, inner system harmony and connection with others who are on a similar journey. It combines the insights of IFS with the collective wisdom and support of the group. It can complement individual therapy, and many people find it helps them in ways they might not achieve through one-on-one sessions alone.

The sessions generally follow this format:

There is a check in, a few words of where we each are… then some ‘housekeeping’, followed by:

a) A guided meditation related to our topic of the month. 2025 we are focusing mainly on the 8 C’s of IFS, as well as the unofficial 9th C .. choice.. This focuses on accessing and embodying the core qualities of Self, which are calmness, curiosity, clarity, compassion, confidence, creativity, courage, and connectedness. During the meditation, participants are led through visualizations and reflections that invite you to foster a deeper connection with your Self and your parts.

b) Parts mapping exercise and processing/discussion Either from the guided meditation, or where-ever your curiosity is at the time.. we use paper/workbooks and pastels/pens and pencils to identify, understand, and organize the various "parts" or subpersonalities within us, paying attention to the relationship between our Self and our parts, and also how they interact with each other and with our core essence, our Self.

c) A Sculpt - an external representation of a participants system - In a ‘sculpt’, a courageous volunteer gets to know one or more parts, and others represent these parts physically for the person, in terms of body posture, facial expression and words/tone. The volunteer steers the others to represent as closely as possible what their internal system feels like on that day. The remainder of the group hold the space with warmth and ‘Self energy’. Through this process, individuals can gain insights into their own and others’ internal dynamics, fostering understanding and harmony. In my experience.. it’s so powerful!

d) Sharing/listening in small groups or remaining in the main group to process/discuss and ask questions.

Closing with a word or two.