As a clinician that is just now starting to dip a toe into Internal Family Systems (IFS) this was very interesting and beneficial. While it is a self-led, it was still informative from a clinician’s POV to see activities, what they look like, how they’re structured, etc. This would be a great addition to my practice, and even a great recommendation for my clients to also utilize outside of sessions, while practicing and utilizing strategies that they’ve learning in session. This workbook was very accessible, easy to understand, and practical. I especially enjoyed the transcripts that were provided, which were fantastic to have as a clinician that is just starting out with IFS.

I didn’t know IFS was a thing until recently but I am not surprised it’s popular. Just as suddenly everyone seems to have decided they’re a little bit autistic and everyone has decided they have had ADHD, everyone now apparently has a little bit of DID (dissociative identity disorder, formerly called multiple personality disorder). Internal Family Systems involves getting to know your parts and helping them stop causing problems and unwanted emotions, and integrating them more into your self. This workbook talks a lot about this and leads you through exercises like body scanning and having conversations with your parts. The book was written by a social worker who specializes in IFS.

As the child of a psychologist and someone with a great deal of experience with actual DID, this was a difficult book for me to read. I think many people may find it helpful, particularly people who enjoy delving into themselves. I would caution people with actual dissociative disorders that this is not designed for them.

I read a digital copy of this book for review.

This was a fun workbook. I enjoyed learning more about IFS - I knew a cursory amount before and why I was interested to see the workbook. I'd recommend this to all who want to understand therapeutic methods.

I learned about Internal Family Systems during my work as a chaplain and have been intrigued to know more ever since. "The Self-Led Internal Family Systems Workbook" is organized so that you first prepare for IFS work, and then can experience Self-Led IFS. Allen's examples and sharing of her own IFS work were great examples of what questions to ask yourself, and how gentle to work through the process. Valuable resource! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Pub Date: Jan 14, 2025

#TheSelfLedInternalFamilySystemsWorkbook

In The Self-Led Internal Family Systems Workbook, Tanis Jo Allen offers a deeply personal and practical guide for exploring the rich and complex inner world of our thoughts and emotions. Grounded in the groundbreaking Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, this workbook invites readers to form a compassionate relationship with their inner parts, transforming conflict and pain into healing and harmony. With clear guidance, relatable examples, and step-by-step exercises, Tanis empowers readers to access their “Self” — the calm, compassionate core within each of us. Whether you’re new to IFS or looking to deepen your practice, this book provides a safe, supportive framework for understanding and working with your inner landscape. Designed for self-discovery at your own pace, it’s a resource that meets you where you are and helps you move toward wholeness. If you’re ready to turn inward with curiosity and courage, The Self-Led Internal Family Systems Workbook is the perfect companion on your journey of self-healing and personal growth.

This book is written by a skilled therapist who not only uses Internal Family Systems on her clients and on herself but also teaches Internal Family Systems to other therapists. With this book she takes a huge step forward in making Internal Family Systems accessible to everyone. The author has written a workbook with exercises that you can try at home and has also included transcripts of her applying Internal Family Systems on herself as examples of how to do the work.

I thought the transcripts of her work on herself were a highlight of the book as you can clearly see how compassionately she speaks to herself and the back and forth conversation between herself and the (often) young part of her. Just reading the transcripts I felt some healing inside of me as I could relate to the author’s life experience. I also appreciated how the author is aware of her body and brings compassion to her body throughout the work. In my experience, Internal Family Systems is one of the most compassionate least pathologizing approaches to therapy, and I can see this book helping people learn how to be more compassionate to themselves as they pursue their own healing.

I received a free digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have a little bit of working knowledge of IFS and our inner parts as I have been practicing SoulCollage for many years and our inner Committee cards represent all of our parts in many different forms. I found this workbook IMMENSELY helpful in putting some more structure into the process for me and my own inner work.

The book is divided into two parts: Preparing for IFS Work (which is just as important as the work itself), and Step by Step Self-Led IFS. This was most intriguing and helpful for me as the author gave many examples from her own life and inner work with her parts. This really paved the way for me to begin working with some of the parts who have been getting in my way lately.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Having recently become interested in IFS I was looking for a good resource to take my own action of utilising it in my life without seeing a therapist. This book is exactly what I was looking for. It gives details of what the process involves and then details how to go about using it in your own life. I find it useful to use in conjuction with No Bad Parts which is written with the founder of IFS but this book stands alone as a valuable resource.