Coaches Rising 269 - David Kitchings: The Power and Potential of IFS
Jan 6, 2026
Join David Kitchings, an experienced IFS therapist and workshop leader, as he delves into the transformative potential of Internal Family Systems. Discover how protective parts and exiles influence our inner worlds and the ethical lines between coaching and therapy. Kitchings introduces the concept of the 'internal container' and emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed practices. He also highlights IFS applications in diverse fields, urging coaches to consider broader systemic contexts while avoiding hyper-individualism and fostering collective healing.
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Parts Are Protectors, Not Problems
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) reframes inner conflict as parts trying to protect us rather than pathologies to eliminate.
- This perspective expands compassion and can shift interactions from protection to vulnerability, improving relationships.
Use The IFS Map With Grounded Flexibility
- Learn the IFS map: protectors (managers, firefighters) and exiles to recognize strategies and burdens in clients.
- Use the map as a tool but stay connected to the person; don't follow the map blindly into risk.
Release Constraints, Don't Patch Deficiency
- IFS aims to release constraints so self-energy can emerge; it's not merely about 'building up' clients from deficiency.
- Building from essence creates resilience; building from inadequacy creates fragile progress.
