10/27/2025
A recent study explored how a therapy called Internal Family Systems (IFS) can help adults who have PTSD caused by multiple childhood traumas. Seventeen people took part and received 16 weekly IFS sessions.
After treatment, most participants had much fewer PTSD and depression symptoms, felt less shame and emotional pain, and were better able to handle their emotions. About 90% no longer met the criteria for PTSD one month after finishing therapy.
IFS therapy is based on the idea that our mind has many “parts” — like inner voices or emotional sides.
Some parts carry painful memories and feelings from the past, while others try to protect us from that pain (for example, by avoiding, numbing, or being angry). Beneath all these parts, everyone has a core Self — calm, caring, curious, and wise.
The goal of IFS is to help people connect with this Self, so they can approach their inner parts with kindness and understanding instead of fear or judgment. In therapy, clients learn to notice their emotions and body sensations, understand what each part needs, and begin to heal the parts that were hurt by trauma.
Advantages of IFS therapy include:
🌿It’s gentle and doesn’t require re-living traumatic memories.
🌿It builds self-compassion and reduces shame and guilt.
🌿It helps people understand and care for all parts of themselves instead of fighting them.
🌿It strengthens emotional balance and inner peace.
🌿It works well for complex childhood trauma and can be combined with other treatments.
Although this was a small, early study without a comparison group, the results were very encouraging. The researchers believe IFS could be a promising, compassionate, and effective way to help people heal from deep emotional wounds caused by childhood trauma. As an experienced IFS therapist who has witnessed the tremendous benefits for clients, Lesley Hartman agrees.
🔗 Read the full article here:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10926771.2021.2013375?fbclid=IwZnRzaANlsRJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsz9WI64E8ZhiV1k8X9cJvpL7fy7RGoFQOTk-OIsxYKZ4wfIU0QEz4PDMWJX_aem_HhUAIN0VHovn0N6Eun-3gw
