Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a method that enables a person to hone intrapersonal and interpersonal communication skills by raising awareness of a person’s internal system.

Yes! We have an inner team of parts that need leadership! The principles of IFS are that all people have “parts”, which are all good and trying to do what is most beneficial for the system, as well as a “True Self”which is in every person, cannot be destroyed and has the characteristics of calm/composure, connectedness/cohesion, courage, curiosity, creativity, clarity, confidence and compassion. Managing emotion in IFS is the quest for True Self-leadership, which redirects and transforms counter-productive reactions by parts to productive and beneficial responses. While all parts are good, and try to do what is best for the system, sometimes they take over our inner control panel which leads to counter-productive actions. Imagine an orchestra, when all the musicians are warming up, playing different tunes, tuning their instruments…it isn’t music yet. But when a trusted conductor steps in to direct what all the musical parts are doing, well, then the whole musical system comes together and produces a beautiful sound, while their actions are led by the conductor.

When an athlete is aware of emotions, both their own and those of others, the reactions they elicit, and the subsequent anticipated behavior in themselves and others, this will enhance interpersonal and intrapersonal communication and the ability to modulate their own actions and responses to elicit a productive and beneficial outcome in themselves and others in any given situation.