Working with Anger in IFS

By Jay Earley

Anger can arise in various ways in Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), depending on which part holds the anger, what function the anger serves, and whether the anger is disowned. Each situation requires a different type of therapeutic intervention as part of the IFS process. This professional booklet discusses these various circumstances and the approach that is most effective in each. It includes a transcript of an IFS session that illustrates some of these points.

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This is another good elaboration of an aspect of IFS and contains helpful categories and guidelines, as well as a powerful transcript of a session. – Richard Schwartz, PhD, creator of the IFS model, author of Internal Family Systems Therapy, You are the One You’ve Been Waiting For

Working with the emotions and behaviors of clients’ anger can be challenging for therapists. Will containment or expression of the anger be more helpful? This clear and thorough booklet considers these questions relative to various parts that hold burdens of anger and offers the IFS therapist specific help with this complex topic. – Susan McConnell, Senior IFS Trainer

In this booklet Jay Earley examines and differentiates the roles and purpose anger plays in our internal world. Jay carefully dissects the may forms of anger and how to deal with them effectively and respectfully. He brings clarity to the issue of when anger needs to be expressed internally, externalized in the therapy session, and in the client’s external world. A thoughtful guide to fully understanding anger and how to work with it, in order to strengthen and heal clients’ internal worlds and external relationships. A wonderful addition for the IFS professional literature. – Marla Silverman, Ph.D., IFS Therapist, Couples Therapy Trainer, Gestalt Center for Psychotherapy and Training Faculty