Schwartz internal family systems therapy

[purple butterfly]

I am not sure where to post this. I have been very reclusive for the last few months. I am not sure where this theory fits in with this site, 'Shwartz internal family systems therapy'. But from my current experience, this theory seems to fit my situation. I am also aware that there are very different theories to explain trauma.

I am hoping for support and hope I still fit in. My limited understanding of this theory is that when there is severe trauma, in my case at a preverbal level, parts of the personality separate, as opposed to DID where the personality splits. So in my case, I am learning to be aware of when different parts are operating (in DID each part operates in unison).

I guess I just need to be validated. I currently feel very let down my immediate family. (My father is the perpetrator of emotional abuse.) At the moment I can't have contact with him.

My three brothers ( including a psychologist and mental health nurse) are very distant. My mother died nearly 20 years ago.

On one hand I have no interest in socializing because I have no contact with anyone that fits where I am at. I also feel like I don't matter because anyone that could have given support has been very distant.( I am also referring to when my husband died 3 1/2 years ago. I feel like am an island, floating alone.)

My support consists of my 3 young adult children who have been severely affected by their father's alcoholism and death. All of whom are having psychological support.

Anxiety is a constant symptom for me. The only change is an escalation in symptoms or back to the base level that involves a churning stomach and tingling in my hands and feet. I am hoping that by learning to understand the different parts of my personality I will gain a greater understanding of what is causing my anxiety and what I can do to alleviate the symptoms.

 

[MysticTraveler]

I have been working with a local Schwartz trained therapist and have learned more about myself in 3 months than in 9 years of previous therapy. So far it has not helped my severe anxiety but I know it is healing may wounds.

Would love to talk to you about you work in this area.

 

[purple butterfly]

I have been with the same T for about four years. He has just started introducing this therapy to me, probably about the same time that you have been involved with your new T.

I am finding it helpful to identify different sub personalities. In the past I have just been totally overwhelmed by feelings of anxiety and have not been able isolate particular patterns that may have been a trigger. I am just starting to see that my anxiety is not all the same. A trigger may cause me to feel like a little three year old wanting to be held, or it may be my harsh inner critic. These are the main sub personalities that I have been working with. I am just starting to identify a number of others that are becoming more apparent.

 

[MysticTraveler]

The therapist I work with is one of the best in the best in the USA - he works by phone and is very low cost.

He has over 150 videos on line - Google Pete Geralch parts work

 

[purple butterfly]

Thanks Mystic Traveller I will do that.

 

[jusrockinout]

I have also worked with a IFS trained therapist. It is a very appealing approach and I have seen improvements myself.

It is in a huge part seeking out the underlying cause of the feelings, beliefs, thoughts, habits, addictions, etc. and personifying them--them accepting those "parts" with love, curiosity, and nonjudgement. The hardest part about this therapy I would say is that it can be really, really challenging for those who have alot of burdens and traumas that they cannot approach or are even aware of. That is when an external therapist is the best.

It seems to be overlapping in memory work, thought labeling, and meditation--non-judgement & mindfulness in particular.