Internal Family Systems (IFS) & Anxiety, Depression, and Shame, May 2018, Elkin & Sinko
IFS and Depression, Anxiety and Shame with Michael Elkin and Ann Sinko
Anxiety and depression are the most presented symptoms of people seeking psychotherapy and shame is the engine that fuels both. How you define a problem limits its solutions. Questions we will explore include: Is depression anger turned inward? Unresolved grief? A chemical imbalance? Is anxiety low self-esteem? An inability to make decisions? Fear? Or just free floating? What if we did not have to define, but rather ask?
The IFS model provides us an innovative way of understanding and working with these universal human problems. Understanding that our symptoms are actually the coping mechanism of our parts trying to protect us from pain, provides a framework that makes entrenched symptoms workable.
This course is an in-depth exploration of shame, depression and anxiety through the lens of the IFS model. Our intent is to challenge your beliefs and enhance your understanding of the systemic organizing nature of shame. This course will deepen your IFS skills and provide more tools for your IFS tool box.
Module 1
The IFS Paradigm of Depression, Anxiety and Shame
This month will highlight how IFS defines depression and anxiety, not as a disorder but as a coping mechanism responding to a constraint in the internal or external system. This understanding provides a foundation for a uniquely powerful approach to these all too common symptoms
You will learn:
● How IFS compares and contrasts with other models of treatment for depression, anxiety and shame
● How a relational and systemic approach can uncover and heal deep shame where other methods might get stuck
● The impact of shame as an organizing principle in our internal systems
Module 2
The Many Faces and Flavors of Anxiety and Depression
We will delve into the protective system; polarizations and alliances, protector strategies and therapist parts. These constellations of parts evolve when there has been a loss of Self leadership and are more effectively helped when addressed systemically in relationship to one another.
● In this month you will learn to:
● Understand the Common Constellations of protectors that can cause depression and anxiety
● Recognize and work with different protector strategies
● Handle polarizations and alliances
● Differentiate grief from depression, and how to approach each
Module 3
Strategies for working with Depression, Anxiety and Shame
This will be an in-depth exploration of obstacles and strategies for working with these obstacles. We will present case examples and highlight what we have found to work even in the most entrenched internal systems.
In this month we will cover:
● Clinical examples
● Obstacles and their solutions
● Addressing parts’ fears and concerns
● Using Direct Access in difficult systems
Systems Coach 