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Counselling can be useful for people who may not be used to talking about themselves and their inner world, and who perhaps haven’t previously accessed psychological therapies.

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Speaking to a counsellor can help you to unpack and understand your thoughts, feelings, sensations, behaviours and emotions that you may have been reluctant or unable to access.

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Sometimes, just saying things out loud to another person in a safe non-judgemental setting can help us to gain clarity and awareness.

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I integrate counselling with Internal Family Systems therapy. 

Therapy and Counselling

Dave Wakley IFS Therapy Chagford

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

IFS assumes that we all have a core ‘Self’ that embodies our essence and all our finest qualities, like compassion, creativity, and wisdom. We are born with these qualities, this ‘Self’, this spirit, and we're also born with parts that help us relate in the world. Some of these parts take on the role of protectors, keeping us safe from harm or pain. They may do this in an outwardly positive way.

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For example, we might have a part that developed in childhood and feared appearing stupid. This part might  

help us to be diligent and hard working. However, the fears of this part may keep us anxious and unable to trust in our own ability. Other parts may protect us in ways that have a more negative effect. For example, a part may learn to use alcohol to keep us from feeling fear or pain. A part that does this has found a temporarily effective tool to manage our inner hurt despite the damage it causes to health, judgement, or relationships.

 

In the IFS model we help other parts heal by not pushing them away, but by getting to know them better and understanding the underlying hurt. When we heal these wounds, protective parts no longer need to lead or be so extreme because they begin to trust that we are now safe.

 

 If you'd like to find out more about IFS, click on this link for an overview of Internal Family Systems by Dr. Richard Schwartz, the founder of Internal Family Systems.

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©2024 by davewakleytherapy
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