What is “spiritual care,” exactly? In the context of IFS, spiritual care means respecting and supporting the spirituality of our clients. Then, what is spirituality? People define spirituality in so many contradictory ways, and some definitions of spirituality wouldn’t be very compatible with IFS. I’ll offer my own definition in a moment, but I want to begin by acknowledging that even talking about this subject can activate parts of ourselves that have suffered harm in the name of religion or spirituality. Does spiritual care even belong in a psychotherapeutic model like Internal Family Systems at all?
In this essay, I want to consider what spiritual care is and isn’t, and how it aligns with IFS. I’ll describe some different types of spiritual care practitioners, and look at what being IFS-informed might mean to each of them. I’ll address concerns and limitations that spiritual care practitioners would need to bear in mind when integrating IFS with their work, and I’ll discuss some of the contributions that professional spiritual care practitioners might make to IFS. Finally, and most significantly, I want to share a spiritual care perspective on the IFS tools that could be safely taught, learned, and practiced by non-therapists (as well as therapists), and explore how IFS-informed, non-professional spiritual care practitioners could fundamentally change the unfolding conversation about IFS in the world, IFS in our collective future.
To read more about IFS & Spiritual Care, click on the full downloadable article below:
Note: You are welcome to share this article with others on social media or for personal use, but please do not make edits or changes without my written consent. When sharing, remember to attribute my work appropriately to its source (Kerry Backstrom) and include my website information (www.wholeheartedpresence.org). Many thanks!
IFS BASICS: The above article (“Meaning & Connection”) assumes that you know a bit about the Internal Family Systems model. If you are not familiar with IFS, click on the succulents photo for some basic information.
INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS COUNSELING ASSOCIATION: If you’re interested in bringing IFS to your own practice of spiritual care, check out the IFSCA website for some great programs and resources. IFSCA is a wonderful organization that emphasizes meaning and connection in IFS, and offers in-depth learning opportunities for both therapist and non-therapist practitioners who would like to become IFS-informed. Click on the treetop photo to visit their website (www.ifsca.ca).
Discover more from Wholehearted Presence
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.