157 Overview of Internal Family Systems -- Catholic Style
Jan 6, 2025
auto_awesome
In this enlightening discussion, Marion Moreland, a certified Internal Family Systems therapist, and David Edwards, founder of St. Joseph Counseling, delve deep into the Internal Family Systems model through a Catholic lens. They explain the roles of internal 'parts' like managers, firefighters, and exiles, shedding light on how trauma shapes these dynamics. The conversation emphasizes self-compassion and the innate qualities that can be reclaimed for personal healing. Listeners are guided to foster nurturing inner dialogues, making connections between emotional well-being and spiritual growth.
Recognizing oneself as a beloved child of God fosters the ability to give and receive love wholeheartedly.
Internal Family Systems provides insights into human nature, encouraging healthier self-relationships and enhancing love towards God and others.
Engaging in experiential exercises promotes self-awareness, enabling individuals to embrace their inner selves and improve relational dynamics.
Deep dives
Embracing Identity as Beloved Children
The podcast emphasizes the significance of recognizing oneself as a beloved child of God, enabling the ability to both receive and give love wholeheartedly. This understanding is anchored in the two great commandments: loving God with one's entire being and loving one's neighbor as oneself. By cultivating a healthier self-identity, individuals can enhance their capability to develop loving relationships with both God and others. This holistic approach to faith integrates emotional well-being with spiritual growth, presenting a comprehensive perspective on the Christian life.
Understanding Human Formation and Love
A deeper understanding of human nature and the concept of human formation is crucial for effectively following the commandment to love. The podcast explores how improved self-love allows individuals to better love God and their neighbors. Acknowledging the interconnectedness of human relationships and emotional health, the discussion underscores the importance of addressing personal struggles to foster authentic love. This transformation becomes a journey towards experiencing a more mature life of faith.
Integrating Psychological Insights with Faith
The podcast discusses utilizing insights from secular psychology and internal family systems therapy to support the Catholic faith. Drawing from the Vatican II documents, the importance of balancing theological principles with scientific findings is emphasized for effective pastoral care, particularly in personal healing and growth. The hosts explore how these psychological approaches can harmonize with Catholic teachings to enable individuals to embody God's love more fully. This integration aims to enhance personal flourishing and relational harmony.
The Role of Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is introduced as a model that facilitates self-exploration and understanding of one's emotional landscape. The discussion highlights the concept of 'parts' within individuals, which represent different aspects of the self that can influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. These parts can take on roles such as managers or firefighters to protect the individual from emotional pain, and recognizing their good intentions is crucial for healing. The conversation promotes the idea that embracing and understanding these parts leads to healthier self-relationships and ultimately enhances relational dynamics with others.
Experiential Exercises for Self-Discovery
The podcast includes an experiential exercise designed to foster connection with one's internal parts and promote self-awareness. Participants are guided to focus inward, observe their thoughts and feelings, and engage in dialogue with their emotional parts. This exercise serves to encourage a relationship with one’s inner self, facilitating a deeper understanding of personal experiences and emotional responses. By actively engaging with these internal dialogues, individuals can begin to embrace their identities and intentions more fully, enhancing both self-love and relational capacity.
We offer you a new and better way of understanding yourself and others – Internal Family Systems (IFS). But what is IFS? What are “parts”? Who are our internal managers, firefighters, and exiles? Who is your innermost self and what are his or her eight primary characteristics? What are burdens and what are the extreme roles parts take on after trauma, attachment injuries, or relational wounds? What is “blending”? Join IFS therapists Marion Moreland, David Edwards, and me, Dr. Peter, for this overview of IFS as we begin our 2025 deep dive into IFS, grounded in a Catholic understanding of the human person – not just with information for our heads, but also with an experiential exercise for our hearts. For the full experience with visuals, slides, B-roll, conversation and discussion in the comments section and so much more, check us out on our YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/@InteriorIntegration4Catholics
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode