Internal Family Systems' Influence on Beginning Therapists' Awareness of Internal Processes: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Unlike most marriage and family therapy (MFT) models, the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model claims to focus not only on the client's but also the therapist's internal processes. Given the recent systemic focus in the MFT field on the therapists' internal processes and how to train therapists to become aware of them and their influence in the clinical work, this qualitative study used a phenomenological lens to understand: (a) whether and how IFS helps beginning therapists gain awareness of their internal processes and (b) whether and how such an awareness influences their clinical work with clients. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with seven beginning therapists and data were analyzed using thematic coding. Themes were organized around the two areas of inquiry in the study. Limitations of this study as well as future research and clinical implications are also discussed.