Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy
The Internal Family Systems (IFS) model is a way to understand your inner world, and help it to transform and heal. The IFS Model represents a new synthesis of two already-existing paradigms: systems thinking and the multiplicity of the mind.
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IFS is based on the principle that there is an undamaged, resourceful Self at the core of every person and that accessing and working with that Self is a safe, effective way to heal other, hurt parts of the mind. At the heart of Internal Family Systems therapy is the belief that there is a calm, compassionate core ‘Self’ within each of us that cannot be damaged.
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Internal Family Systems therapy explicitly recognizes the numinous-and-available nature of the Self, allowing the model to be helpful in adult development as well as psychological healing. Self energy is a ‘doing’, known by its curiousity, calm, compassion, connectedness, creativity, courage, clarity and confidence. In the therapeutic work, the aim is to connect and amplify the person’s own experience of Self, then to build relationship internally with one’s parts.
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Fleurieu Counselling and Wellness has a team of counsellors in Adelaide trained in IFS therapy. IFS Sessions are available in person or via Zoom Australia wide, and Internationally.
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Intimacy from the inside out (IFIO)
IFS informed Couples Therapy
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Toni Herbine-Blank developed the couple therapy Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO) as a branch of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, a treatment used for individuals, couples, families, communities, and organisations. Intimate relationships inevitably pose painful dilemmas and require partners to navigate differences.
If they cannot differentiate and stay connected in the process, they end up experiencing, as Dan Siegel wrote, emotional chaos or rigidity (2007). Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO) is designed to help partners differentiate and stay connected by accessing their strengths (Herbine-Blank, Kerpelman, & Sweezy 2016).
When we speak and listen skillfully, we deepen and transform our relationships. In IFIO, we aim for partners to disagree respectfully, communicate courageously, apologise from the heart, forgive freely, and stay connected. Loving connection leads to ongoing well-being (Blank & Sweezy 2021).
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Rebecca and Simon Paul are both trained Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO) Therapists located in Adelaide.
Face to Face, and Zoom sessions available.
Simon Paul
IFS Therapist &
IFIO Couples Therapist
IFS Therapy
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy is an increasingly popular therapeutic approach that enables people to effectively resolve issues and access desired personal qualities. The IFS model explains the Mind-Body connection in a way that helps individuals to understand themselves remarkably deeply and clearly. Individuals are able to access a sense of authenticity that they can utilise to obtain clarity and facilitate their own healing.
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IFS Couples Therapy
Intimacy From the Inside out (IFIO)
IFIO Couples Therapy involves the application of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy principles to the dynamic environment of relationships. It’s an incredibly powerful and effective method for helping people to quickly transition from the detail of their conflict, to the underlying themes that drive those conflicts in the first place. When people are able to understand these deep themes within themselves in the context of their relationships, they are able to quickly transform them and create a different dynamic where healing and growth can take place.
I practice IFIO Couples therapy, in conjunction with a range of principles and practices from other modalities.
Rebecca Paul
IFS Therapist &
IFIO Couples Therapist
IFS Therapy
IFS Therapy is a very powerful and useful form of psychotherapy. The parts model helps us to understand why we have behaviours that work for us and against us at the same time. It helps us contact our true selves and integrate the behaviours or defence mechanism that we have into more functional and useful ways of being. It helps us access more of our true selves.
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IFS Couples Therapy
Intimacy From the Inside out (IFIO)
IFIO Couples therapy is an IFS approach to couples therapy. I weave IFIO together with many other modalities I have studied over the past 15 years to provide a thorough and safe place for couples to learn how to communicate effectively and reconnect so they can have difficult conversations successfully. I understand deeply what it takes for couples to come to therapy. It's a big investment in time and money which can often be in short supply. My aim is to help couples understand and develop the tools they need to navigate relational issues so they can eventually do this independently at home with success.
