Donna Roe Daniell

YOUR BODY IS PART OF YOUR SYSTEM!

IFS and MIND-BODY APPROACHES

The most recent research confirms that mind-body approaches to psychotherapy are the most enduring and effective. A body-based approach is one that allows a person to access their emotions in their body–based on a sensing within–rather than trying to figure it all out in their minds.

Most traditional psychotherapy uses the mind in an external way to restructure and therefore understand and integrate feelings and beliefs. In contrast, any body-based approach must work at integrating the mind with body awareness so that the mind-body dichotomy ceases to occur.

OUR BODIES HOLD TRAUMAS

Our bodies hold so many of our life experiences. If these experiences are recovered in an integrative and meaningful way, they can be transforming to our growth. In this way we can dramatically improve our ability to live to our fullest potential.

However, if traumas, unresolved stressful events, or hidden parts of us are held in our bodies–unrecovered or unprocessed by our present reality–they can cause physical ailments, severe depression, or debilitation in many forms. Most recent research on betrayal trauma has proven this to be true.

IFS—INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS THERAPY

One recently developed mind-body integrative approach has garnered many accolades and supporters. It is called “IFS” or Internal Family Systems Therapy. I am trained in this approach to inner healing, which allows the client and therapist to join together in a collaborative partnership of self-growth and healing.

By learning to activate your Self—your spiritual center of knowing and safety—you can explore the many parts that make up your personality. If unexplored, these parts can cause you to not be integrated or whole. Parts acting without your leadership can react and cause many problems in your life. But, with the guidance and support of my Self Energy, you learn how to access your own Self Energy. Then we learn about your parts, what they need from you, and how you can become connected with them as their leader. With this self-leadership, you can reach a state of curiosity, non-reactiveness, integration, emotional resilience, inner-connectedness and calm.

This approach is most effective when you learn how to focus inward and accesses your bodily sensations as parts, and then allow the parts to become acknowledged and healed by the Self–thus completing the integration and self-actualization. It is reassuring to learn that healing can be achieved at whatever level you are comfortable with using this model.

IFS works with couples, families, groups and children. It is extremely effective in healing trauma safely without feeling overwhelming. It flows within my therapeutic framework of focusing on the goals that you bring, and helping you to discover your own solutions. I find it the most healing and effective approach available today for my clients.