Interior Integration for Catholics 166 Can IFS and Parts Work Be Catholic? Listening to Scripture
May 19, 2025
Peter Martin, a Nebraska psychologist and IFS therapist, Gerry Crete, a licensed marriage therapist and founder of Transfiguration Counseling, and Christian Amalu, a postdoctoral fellow in clinical psychology, engage in a deep conversation about harmonizing Internal Family Systems with Catholic teachings. They discuss how Scripture supports IFS concepts and the potential for inner harmony. They highlight the importance of self-love through Jesus’ parables and emphasize embracing complexity and marginalized voices in faith communities.
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IFS Aligned with Catholic Faith
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) isn't originally Catholic, but it can be harmonized with Catholic faith.
- Catholics can mine secular psychology for truth to deepen faith and human formation.
Humans Reflect God's Triune Relationality
- Humans reflect the Trinity's relational nature and complexity, not in divided persons but in unity.
- Our multiplicity of parts mirrors God's triune communion as a foundation for Catholic parts work.
Scripture Shows Internal Conflict
- Scripture reflects inner conflict and multiplicity, shown in Romans 7 and James's writings.
- These reveal our internal struggle requiring harmony through inner work, supporting parts work approaches.