Understanding Internal Family Systems (IFS): Exploring the Role of Managers
By: Michael Mailloux, LMSW
Imagine your mind as a bustling community with various characters and roles, each playing a crucial part in shaping your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, offers a unique perspective on understanding and managing these internal dynamics. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the concept of “managers” within the Internal Family Systems framework and explore their role in shaping our inner world.
Understanding Internal Family Systems
Internal Family Systems therapy posits that each individual’s psyche consists of various “parts” or subpersonalities, each with its own distinct role and characteristics. These parts can be categorized into three main categories:
Managers
Firefighters
Exiles
Today, we’ll focus on the first category: Managers.
Managers: The Gatekeepers of Your Inner World
Managers are like the gatekeepers of your internal world. They are responsible for maintaining order, control, and stability within your psyche. These parts develop strategies to keep you safe and protect you from experiencing emotional pain or distress. Managers are often proactive and try to prevent potential issues from arising.
Key Characteristics of Managers
Proactivity: Managers are forward-thinking and tend to plan for the future. They create rules, routines, and strategies to avoid potential triggers or threats.
Control: These parts like to maintain a sense of control over your emotions and actions. They may suppress or modify feelings and behaviors to keep you functioning in a way they perceive as safe.
Adaptability: Managers are adaptable and often take on various roles in different situations. They might ensure you behave appropriately in professional settings or take charge when you’re faced with a crisis.
Judgment: Managers can be judgmental, evaluating your thoughts, feelings, and actions against their established standards. They may promote self-criticism to maintain their version of order.
Goal-Oriented: Managers are driven by specific goals, such as avoiding conflict, seeking approval, or achieving success. These goals can vary widely depending on your life experiences and the specific manager’s role.
Types of Managers
Within the Internal Family Systems framework, there are several types of managers, each with its own unique characteristics and functions. Some common types include:
Perfectionists: These managers strive for perfection in everything you do, often setting unrealistic standards and driving you to work tirelessly to meet them.
Planners: Planners are future-focused and try to anticipate and prepare for any potential problems. They can be overly cautious and risk-averse.
Controllers: Controllers aim to maintain control over your emotions and behavior, often suppressing feelings they perceive as undesirable.
Caretakers: Caretakers focus on the well-being of others, sometimes at the expense of their own needs. They seek to ensure everyone around them is happy and comfortable.
Rule Enforcers: These managers strictly adhere to a set of rules and standards, often rigidly enforcing them upon yourself and others.
The Role of Managers in Self-Development
While managers play a crucial role in protecting us from harm and helping us navigate the complexities of life, their overzealousness can also lead to problems. An excessive focus on control, perfectionism, or avoidance can limit personal growth and lead to anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues.
IFS therapy aims to help individuals better understand and work with their internal managers. By developing self-awareness and engaging in a dialogue with these parts, individuals can start to balance the need for protection with the freedom to express their true selves. This process often leads to greater emotional intelligence, improved relationships, and a more authentic sense of self.
Conclusion
Internal Family Systems therapy offers a valuable framework for understanding the complex inner world of human consciousness. Managers, as one of the key subpersonalities, play a crucial role in maintaining order and safety. However, their overbearing tendencies can sometimes hinder personal growth and emotional well-being. Through IFS therapy, individuals can learn to engage with their managers in a more constructive way, ultimately leading to greater harmony and authenticity in their lives.
Michael Mailloux graduated from Fordham University where he earned his master’s degree in social work. Michael is a 15-year Navy Veteran which contributes to his ability to be compassionate and understanding of PTSD and trauma symptoms. Michael is a Level 3 trained Internal Family Systems (IFS) clinician who trained directly with Richard Schwartz, the creator of the IFS modality. He also participated as a Program Assistant in IFS trainings, helping other therapists to learn and implement the model and has advanced training in Intimacy from The Inside Out (IFIO), a couple’s approach to IFS therapy. Want to learn more from Michael? Feel free to check out his full bio and ways to be in touch here.
If you reside in NY or NJ you can join Michael as he facilitates this new therapeutic support group:
