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.