How IFS Can Help with Complex Trauma
Complex trauma– the impact of constant exposure to trauma such as neglect or abuse–can lead to developing a system of coping mechanisms that help protect a person from experiencing pain, traumatic memories, or intense and overwhelming emotions that feel difficult to manage, such as shame, guilt, and worthlessness.
In Internal Family Systems (IFS), these protective coping mechanisms are called protectors—aspects or parts of our personalities that help us stabilize and/or soothe so that we hopefully navigate life with more ease and an increased sense of safety.
While each person has their own unique system of protectors, some common protectors for folks who experience complex trauma include:
Hypervigilance: Constantly being aware of one’s surroundings, looking for cues of danger or threat, to the point where it is difficult to focus and be present in your relationships
People Pleasing: Putting aside one’s own needs to ensure others’ needs and wants are met, fearing that if you don’t please others, you’ll be met with anger, conflict, or even abuse
Fight/Flight Responses: Finding yourself suddenly irritable and defensive or avoidant and panicked
Numbing: Behaviors that soothe or distract one from experiencing emotional pain, such as drinking, shopping, working, and sex
Protectors do great work to help people survive and cope with painful life experiences. However as time passes, one’s systems of protectors may no longer be helpful as they once were and can even make life feel constraining as if you’re stuck in a loop of old ways and patterns.
Internal Family Systems can help you clarify the origins of your protectors and how they have helped. With this insight, you can begin to identify and implement new tools and coping mechanisms to feel less constrained by the burdens of traumatic memories, attachment wounds, and intense emotions that follow complex trauma.
IFS CAN HELP WITH COMPLEX TRAUMA THROUGH:
Increasing Nervous System Regulation to Prevent Overwhelm
Our nervous system often gets activated when we fear that something may be unsafe. IFS can help you identify and address your fears and what feels unsafe when addressing traumatic memories or intense emotions. This information helps identify the tempo, pace, and regulation skills that can be integrated in therapy to help prevent overwhelm in your nervous system.
Witnessing
Common fears when working with complex trauma is that one will be misunderstood, judged, or not heard. With IFS, the therapist facilitates an environment for clients to understand and witness their own story with self-compassion.
Unburdening
IFS has a six-step process called “The Unburdening Process” to help clients release the pain and beliefs that make life feel difficult, constraining, and burdensome. This experiential process allows you to reprocess memories, develop self-compassion, and release the burdens you have been carrying in relation to the complex trauma you have experienced.
Internal Family Systems offers a pathway to have compassion for the protective system that has helped you navigate life, release the burdens you have been carrying, and integrate new tools and practices to help you live life with less constraints.
Start Working With an IFS Therapist in Highland Park, LA
Working with complex trauma/CPTSD requires understanding and honoring protective parts and systems that need to be in place to stay safe and survive in an ongoing abusive and chaotic environment. Using IFS is a gentle approach that does not diminish the roles of your protective systems and offers hope in healing “exiled” parts that are stuck in trauma. Our team of caring therapists is happy to offer support from our Highland Park, CA-based practice. Start your therapy journey by following these simple steps:
Speak with a compassionate therapist.
Start creating deeper relationships!
Other Services Offered at Therapy on Fig
At Therapy on Fig, we offer therapy services that fit the unique needs of couples and individuals. In addition to Grief and loss therapy in Highland Park, CA, we also offer Therapy for Empaths, Trauma Therapy, and couples therapy. We also address related issues such as anxiety, stress management, and relationship issues. Whether you're seeking support for a specific issue or looking to strengthen your relationship overall, our therapists are here to help. Reach out today to learn more about our services and to begin your journey to a better relationship for you and your partner.
