Internal Family Systems and Compassion for Addictive Processes

Feeling ‘addicted’ to social media, chronic overwork, late-night drinks/food and overspending are widespread concerns. Despite a sense of urgency, people discover they can’t stop; what does this mean? Some of our clients also struggle with higher-risk pursuits such as heavy drinking and drug use, disordered eating, or sexually compulsive or self-harming activity.

Faced with these common yet challenging and bewildering struggles, therapists are asking for more options than just referring to a treatment program. IFS offers a paradigm shift. Rather than viewing ‘addiction’ and other compulsive practices as aberrant, self-destructive pathologies, we see these behaviors as desperately trying to help. United in their drive to do ‘whatever it takes’ to protect the system, the parts of our clients engaged in high-risk soothing and avoidant activities are committed to addressing underlying pain.

In this experiential workshop, you will learn how to create clear road maps for treatment, avoid power struggles, discover the positive intentions behind ‘negative’ and extreme behaviors, and build safe inner connection to underlying trauma and attachment wounds. We will also explore how therapists can be impacted by our own stories and how to combine self-compassion with effective compassion for others.