Internal Family Systems & Neurodivergence Resources
This is a list of resources on the use of Internal Family Systems with neurodivergent, neurodistinct, or neurodifferent systems compiled by Dr. Emma Coyne and other members of an IFS & ND Experience group.
Check back often for updates!
Talks and Podcasts
From Shame to Compassion: Internal Family Systems and ADHD
A TADD talk with Michel Fitos, AAC (TADD Talks are an ADHD-friendly riff on “TED talks”).
Using the IFS Lens to Include the Autistic Experience in Therapeutic Spaces with Sarah Bergenfield
A look into the autistic brain and how you as an IFS-trained therapist can support clients on the spectrum. The IFS Model works beautifully with the autistic brain and allows clients to connect with and understand their parts. In this workshop, we will learn more about what autism is, how to recognize it and how to support clients who have been diagnosed and have unique needs. This workshop will also look at the implications of a lifetime of being undiagnosed, including the parts that get created around trying to live in a world that doesn’t make sense.
IFS and Neurodifferences Natasha Wilson
IFS and Neuro-differences with Candice Christiansen and Meg Martinez
On today’s episode, I chat with Meg Martinez and Candice Christiansen who wrote a chapter in Altogether Us entitled, “Embodying IFS with Neurodivergent Clients: A Neuro-inclusive approach for therapists.”
IFS Talks: IFS and Neurodiversity with Yoav Bartov
Queering IFS – Episode 1 – Introducing Queering IFS
In this first video, Jude Carn and Alessio Rizzo, two Internal Family Systems (IFS) psychotherapists, introduce the topic of Queering IFS (Internal Family Systems) and use the lenses of queering, neuroqueering, queerness and neurodiversity to make IFS more accessible to marginalised identities, and to support therapists in being better allies, supporters and advocates for their diverse clients.
Using IFS and IFIO with Neurodivergent Couples
Neurology is an under-recognized and often overlooked factor in relationships. Couples in which one or both partners have traits of Autism often struggle to find practitioners who can understand and help. Traditional approaches to working with such couples have been behavioral and limited in nature, often assuming that these
relationships are doomed or that only a neurotypical partner can adapt. Through the lens of neurodiversity, a movement to de-pathologize atypical neurological wiring, we will look at applications of IFS and IFIO (Intimacy from the Inside Out) to working with mixed-neurology couples. Experientials and videos will help to understand the challenges that such couples may face, as well as to open up space to explore therapist parts that may arise. Presented by Kim Bolling, Psy. D. at the IFS-I Annual Conference in 2021.
IFS therapy Effectiveness for Neurodivergent Minds – Neuroqueering w/ Pasha Marlowe & Ellie Carn
Ellie Carn (she/they), psychotherapist, and Pasha Marlowe (she/they), marriage and family therapist and coach, explain what IFS (Internal Family Systems “parts” work) is and why it is so effective for neurodivergent minds, especially those with ADHD and autism. Ellie begins with an overview and history of IFS then describes what the therapeutic process of parts work looks like. Ellie describes how traditional therapy models are often pathologizing and ableist. IFS is beneficial for neurodivergent people as it is empowering, playful, guided by the client, and creates space to “meet them where they at”. Ellie even ponders if parts work is, in essence, unmasking. Pasha and Ellie encourage listeners to try many different therapists and therapy modalities.
IFS and Autism with Sarah Bergenfield – Part 1 & Part 2
We will be speaking with Sarah about the nature of autism (Episode Part 1) and (Episode Part 2) how IFS concepts and techniques can be understood through the lens of autism, how IFS therapy can be helpful for autistic clients, and some special considerations to keep in mind when working with autistic clients with IFS. Hope you enjoy the episode and find it useful.
Blogs and resources
Being a neurodivergent therapist: how being AuDHD impacts my work as an Internal Family Systems Therapist. How my own experience of being AuDHD helps me to support my neurodivergent therapy clients by Jude Carn
My Experience of Being AuDHD Jude Carn
Why IFS is an excellent therapy for neurodivergent clients, as a
neurodivergent therapist. Unlocking the Power of Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) in neurodiversity affirming psychotherapy Jude Carn
https://www.seasonsofgrowthcounseling.com/blog/what-is-neurodiversity-affirming-ifs-therapy
What is Neurodiversity-Affirming IFS Therapy? Liz Zhou
https://www.namasteadvice.com/neuroinclusivetherapy
Neuro-Inclusive IFS and Support Meg Martinez, Candice Christiansen
https://partsandself.org/the-autistic-self-reframing-ideas-of-pathology/
The Autistic Self – Reframing Ideas of Pathology Sarah Bergenfield
https://partsandself.org/my-autistic-identity-crisis/
My autistic identity crisis How to support people in coming to terms with their autism Sarah Bergenfield
https://www.theselfcarespot.com/post/autism-and-ifs-therapy
Autism and IFS Therapy Rayne Satterfield
https://ifstherapyonline.com/ifs-telehealth-collective-blog/supporting-your-neurotype-with-internal-family-systems
Supporting Your Neurotype with Internal Family Systems By Clarissa Harwel
How the IFS Model Explains Medical Mistrust in Women with Autism
How the IFS Model Explains Medical Mistrust in Women with Autism Dr. Tasha Oswald
https://www.therapywithalessio.com/ifs-for-neurodiversity
IFS for Neurodiversity Alessio Rizzo
https://differentbrains.org/masking-or-camouflaging-an-autistic-self-advocate-dialogue/
Masking or Camouflaging: An Autistic Self-Advocate Dialogue By Sean M.
Inderbitzen
https://www.therapywithsiana.com/resources
Common protectors in autistic internal systems Siana McGarvey
https://www.therapywithsiana.com/post/would-you-ever-work-with-an-autistic-therapist
Would you ever … work with an Autistic Therapist? Siana McGarvey
https://tandempsychology.com/neurodiversity-with-internal-family-systems-therapy/
Embracing Neurodiversity with Internal Family Systema Therapy Tandem Psychology
Books
Altogether Us: Integrating the IFS Model with Key Modalities, Communities, and Trends by Jenna Riemersma & Richard Schwartz
Chapter: “Embodying IFS with Neurodivergent Clients: A Neuro-inclusive approach for therapists.”
An Autistic Anthology: Neuro-Narratives of Mental Health Professionals by Nikita Shepherdson, Vicky Jervis, Marianne Trent
Chapters: “The world wasn’t built for us but here we are living in it”
“A Short Play: Navigating neurodiversity as a psychologist: A conversation about Unmasking at work with my parts”
Embodying Autism: Embrace Your Neurodivergence and Make Sense of
Sensory Surplus with Internal Family Systems by Sarah Bergenfield & Martha Sweezy