What is Somatic IFS Therapy?

I've written prior articles about IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapy, a gentle evidence based trauma therapy, in the past (see links for articles at this end of this article).

What is Somatic IFS Therapy?

Somatic IFS therapy is an integrative approach that combines the "parts work" of traditional IFS with body-centered somatic therapy.

Somatic IFS Therapy

Somatic IFS was developed by IFS trainer, Susan McConnell, who also wrote the book, Somatic Internal Family Systems.

This modality is based on the premise that psychological wounds, trauma and subpersonalities (parts) don't just live in the mind--they are physically stored in the nervous system, tissues and postures.

Somatic IFS Therapy as Mind-Body Parts Work

Traditional IFS sees the human psyche as a system of distinct subpersonalities (e.g., inner children, managers and protectors) led by a compassionate Core Self. 

Although traditional IFS does use the mind-body connection, it relies mostly on cognitive dialog to interact with these parts. Somatic IFS really emphasizes the body in this dialog.

The basic assumptions of Somatic IFS include:

• Parts Are Embodied: An anxious protector might manifest as a tight jaw or restricted breathing. Similarly, a deeply wounded exile (wounded part of oneself) might show up as chronic fatigue or a collapsed posture.

• The Core Self is Embodied: Genuine healing comes from an embodied Core Self where a person doesn't just think from a place of curiosity and compassion--they feel physically grounded and safe within their own skin.

What Are the 5 Core Practices of Somatic IFS Therapy?

Somatic IFS uses five distinct structured practices to bridge the gap between mind and body:

• Somatic Awareness: The foundational step in Somatic IFS is from having a body to being a body--noticing physical sensations, interoceptive cues and internal stories (see my article: The Mind-Body Connection: What is Somatic Awareness?)

Somatic IFS Therapy

• Conscious Breathing: Somatic IFS uses specific breathwork techniques to regulate the nervous system, soothe hyperactive parts and safely access buried emotional pain (these parts are called "exiles" in IFS).

• Radical Resonance: Somatic IFS develops awareness of the energetic relational space between the client and the therapist. This allows the IFS therapist's regulated nervous system to help co-regulate the client. 

• Mindful Movement: Somatic IFS invites micro-movements, which are changes in posture or expressive stretching to let a nonverbal part of the client express itself physically its needs, incomplete survival defenses or release physically burdens held by the parts.

• Attuned Touch: Somatic IFS therapy encourages the client to comfort wounded parts through touch/grounding hand placement. This also allows the client to use their hand to facilitate a felt sense of safety.

Somatic IFS Therapy and the Nervous System

Somatic IFS is effective for conditions rooted in the nervous system because it goes beyond intellectual analysis and intellectual insight. 

Somatic IFS is used for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic trauma, anxiety, complex trauma, preveral trauma and other nervou system related mind-body oriented problems.

About Me

I am a licensed New York psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, EMDR, AEDP, IFS, Somatic Experiencing, EFT therapist (for couples) and Certified Sex Therapist.

I have helped many individual adults and couples over the years.

To find out more about me, visit my website: Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist.

To set up a consultation, call me at (917) 742-2624 during business hours or email me.

Also See My Articles:

IFS Therapy is a Gentle Evidence-Based Trauma Therapy 

What is the Connection Between IFS Therapy and Neural Networks? 

How IFS Therapy Can Help With Anxiety