The Truth About IFS: Analyzing the New York Magazine Article "The Therapy That Can Break You"

Whitney unpacks a recent article from New York Magazine: “The Therapy That Can Break You” about Internal Family Systems (IFS) and what can go wrong when trauma treatment crosses ethical lines. She discusses the dangers of working with fragile populations without proper training, and what to watch for when working with different therapeutic modalities. She then answers two listener questions about navigating estrangement as the family scapegoat and balancing support for a depressed parent without losing yourself.

Whitney Goodman is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and the founder of Calling Home, a membership community that helps people navigate complex family dynamics and break harmful cycles.

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This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice.

01:06 Introduction to IFS therapy and The Cut article

02:49 What went wrong at Castlewood Treatment Center

09:52 Believing victims and the reality of false memories

18:08 The need for stabilization when working with trauma

25:51 Listener question 1: Navigating estrangement as the family scapegoat

31:32 Listener question 2: Supporting a depressed parent without losing yourself

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