Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) methodology is a form of Adaptive Information Processing which may help the brain unblock maladaptive material. It also appears that EMDR therapy may allow clients to avoid long and difficult abreaction (an episode of emotional release or catharsis associated with the conscious recollection of repressed unpleasant experiences) often involved in the treatment of anxiety, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress symptoms (such as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and flashbacks), dissociative disorders, depression, phobias, identity crisis and other traumatic experiences.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) posits that the mind is made up of multiple parts, and underlying them is a person’s core or true Self. Like members of a family, a person’s inner parts can take on extreme roles or subpersonalities. Each part has its own perspective, interests, memories, and viewpoint. A core tenet of IFS is that every part has a positive intent, even if its actions are counterproductive and/or cause dysfunction. There is no need to fight with, coerce, or eliminate parts; the IFS method promotes internal connection and harmony to bring the mind back into balance.
IFS therapy aims to heal wounded parts and restore mental balance. The first step is to access the core Self and then, from there, understand the different parts in order to heal them.