Many eating disorder clients have found that through using the tools of Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), they are able to relate to the eating disorder as being separate from the client's self. This allows for a better understanding of factors maintaining and perpetuating the symptoms. In this process, clients learn often that the eating disorder actually protects them from re-experiencing or thinking about difficult things from their pasts, which is why they are ambivalent about giving up their symptoms.
Through IFS therapy clients begin to approach their eating disorder with curiosity and compassion. IFS provides techniques to help the client heal the pain, shame, or fear from their pasts that the eating disorder protects them from experiencing. When these injured parts are healed, eating disorder symptoms begin to remit. The eating disorder part is no longer forced into such an extreme role and it can begin to take on other healthy ways of helping the client cope.
Internal Family Systems Therapy
Richard Schwartz, Ph.D has developed an approach to psychotherapy which applies systems concepts of family therapy to the intra-psychic realm. Called the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, this approach is based on the premise that people can learn to relate to their inner emotions or “parts” from a loving, compassionate place. It provides a way for clients to focus inside on and listen to their feelings and emotions without being overwhelmed. Central to the IFS model is the idea that we are all born with a Self. This Self is who we are at our essence; curious, compassionate, and joyous. The IFS model helps clients connect with their Self and from this “self-led” place relate differently to their emotions. Also central to the IFS model is the belief that each of our parts has valuable qualities and each is designed for and wants to play a valuable role in the system. These inner parts, are forced out of their valuable roles, however, by life experiences that reorganize the system in unhealthy ways. What circumstances force these parts into extreme and sometimes destructive roles? Trauma is one factor, but often it is the beliefs about a woman's body that permeate our culture and sometimes a client's family-of-origin values and interactional patterns.
As eating disorder parts loosen their grip on clients' minds, clients have more access to this essence or Self and begin to lead their lives from qualities like confidence, courage, and creativity. Not only does their eating behavior normalize, but they take more control of their relationships and have increased clarity about their paths in life.
