Working with polarisations

Send a textAfter taking a break for summer, we're back with a new episode focusing on polarisations.Being able to detect relationships between parts, particularly parts who are fighting against each other, has lots of benefits - including reducing the inner conflict that many people experience as well as easing any stuckness a client may be experiencing in their life.We discuss what exactly polarisations are, and suggest a three-stage progression for how a therapist might develop their skills in working with them. We give examples of common polarisations and also look at how therapist and client parts may polarise with each other.There's so much to look at here, so we'll be following up with a part two on this topic, where we'll look at addictive processes and polarisations in the wider world.Emma E Redfern MBACP (Snr Accred) initially trained in humanistic integrative psychotherapy. Emma is a certified IFS psychotherapist as well as approved IFS clinical consultant. She edited Internal Family Systems Therapy: supervision and consultation (2022, Routledge) and authored Transitioning to Internal Family Systems Therapy: A companion for therapists and practitioners (2023, Routledge). Her most recent publication, co-edited with Helen Foot, is Freeing Self: IFS Beyond the Therapy Room (2023) .See www.emmaredfern.co.uk for details of workshops and articles as well as books. You can also follow Emma on Linked In.Gayle Williamson (MIACP) initially trained in humanistic integrative psychotherapy. She took one of the alternative routes to IFS training now available, through IFSCA and the Adler College, Canada. She works fulltime as a pure-IFS psychotherapist and also writes widely on mental health. Her most recent article 'The Myth of Mental Illness' is published in the latest IAHIP professional journal. Gayle runs small-group, online trainings and skills workshops for IFS beginners as well as group supervision. She also edited Emma's book, Transitioning to Internal Family Systems Therapy: A companion for therapists and practitioners. See www.ferneytherapy.ie for further info, resources and Gayle's articles.