Fostering Self-Awareness in Novice Therapists Using Internal Family Systems Therapy

Abstract

This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach to understand: (a) whether and how the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model helps beginning therapists gain awareness of their internal processes and (b) whether and how such awareness influences their clinical work. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with seven beginning therapists and data were analyzed using thematic coding. Findings suggest that IFS helped therapists identify, understand, and manage their internal processes, which seemed to benefit the therapeutic relationship, identify therapists’ personal agendas, model work with the internal system, and foster a better understanding of the client's internal system. Clinical training implications are discussed.