October '24 - Working with IFS Parts and Brainspotting
I have been combining Brainspotting with identified IFS parts to maximize my client’s healing. I have found Brainspotting to dramatically increase the speed and effectiveness of IFS, because of its access to the subcortical brain and the lasting change made possible by the deep, brain-body connection. David Grand calls Brainspotting a “Parts Model” and teaches a wonderful Part Spotting technique in Phase Three.
I have found that it is possible to adhere to the foundational principles of Brainspotting while healing all parts of self. In using Expansion Brainspotting, and especially “Soul Spotting”, the “Self” energy discussed in IFS is accessed and experienced in such a profound way that it becomes available to our clients on a regular basis. IFS teaches that in order to live in the “SELF” we must be regulated in our Autonomic Nervous System. Obviously, this is the reason Brainspotting is world renowned. Quite simply, Brainspotting is the most effective and streamlined avenue to regulate the Autonomic Nervous System allowing us to live, far more often, from our true or best selves. This “Self- Energy” can also be brought to the most activated/ wounded parts needing support. As you know, Brainspotting is profoundly successful in healing the most young and damaged “exile” parts inside of our clients. We can achieve this with Activated, Resource and Expansion Spots, as well as other corrective attachment frames taught in my Expansion course.
I recently did a session on a wonderful man in his mid 60’s. He wanted help in healing his three- year-old “exile” part who was beaten by his father for any minor mistake. This pain led to the development of a life-long manager part he called his “Fawner” part. The “Fawners” job was to please people in order to protect the little boy from being hurt physically and emotionally. The “Fawner” was so intense in how he carried out its job, it was causing marital difficulties as he fawned his adult children to the detriment of the marriage. In IFS terms, this manager part had become polarized and was causing damage to his life.
In a one- hour Brainspotting session, we set up three different Brainspots, according to what the client said he needed. He wanted to help the youngest wounded part, bring his highest “Self” to this hurt boy part as well as his “Fawner” part. I had the client identify in his body where he felt the two activated spots most strongly as well as the positive sensation of his “Highest Self” or “Soul Spot.” I invited him to intuitively move to and from each spot in whatever way felt right to him. It was beautiful to witness the healing of the little boy, the willingness of the “Fawner” part to soften in its role, and the increased access and ability he felt to live his life more from his highest “Self”.
It is possible to utilize the brilliant mapping system of IFS, while simultaneously holding a deep dual attunement framework, staying in uncertainty, and remaining in the “tail of the comet.” For those of you who are IFS trained, you can learn to glean the information you need to heal the entire system, without being directive or prescriptive. Combining Brainspotting and IFS will fast track your results and effectiveness with your clients.
If you are interested in seeing a demonstration of Brainspotting with identified IFS Parts, come and join the Trauma Mama Hour October 22nd from 11:00 am to 12:15 pm Pacific time.
Trauma Mama Hour: October 2024
Time: Oct 22, 2024 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84361410776?pwd=qRUOk3yqI8HK8lqer85q24sqlX8aq4.1
Meeting ID: 843 6141 0776
Passcode: 187161