Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO)
Understanding IFIO
Intimacy from the Inside Out approach known as IFIO is a new powerful brand of couples therapy originated by Tony Herbine-Blank, a senior trainer for the centre for Self-Leadership. IFIO is a methodology of couple therapy based primarily on Internal Family Systems Therapy. It encourages compassion and courage in couples and enhances couples’ internal attachment in order to feel safe enough to connect and express their needs to their partner. It enables them to change the patterns of their communication from anger and threat to safety and connection.
In IFIO therapy sessions, the therapist works with the natural subdivisions- or parts – of the human mind in a dyad, guiding and supporting couples to understand how they project childhood injury into current relationships, and then feeling threatened, frustrated, and angry, and lose track of their underlying needs to feel safe, connected and loved.
With a focus on generating internal attachment stability to sustain each partner through the moments when the other is unavailable, couples in IFIO therapy connect with their essential needs, change their conversations, and learn to make requests that invite rather than threaten in order to get those needs met.
IFIO offers time tested techniques for helping each partner drop their weapons, focus inside and speak to each other from a different place – The Self. When couples are able to do this, each partner invariably develops new insight and also discovers that speaking from the Self on behalf of (rather than from) both protective and vulnerable parts produces an entirely different response from the partner. Therapy through IFIO create safety and help the couples access the Self. When they do, their relationship will heal itself.
Who is IFIO For?
Intimacy From The Inside Out (IFIO) therapy is a valuable approach for individuals and couples seeking to enhance their emotional connection, intimacy, and communication. It can benefit those who experience challenges in their relationships, such as difficulty in expressing emotions, resolving conflicts, or deepening their emotional bond. IFIO is particularly helpful for those who want to explore their inner world, strengthen their self-awareness, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their partners. Whether you're looking to improve your current relationship or build healthier and more intimate connections in the future, IFIO therapy offers a structured and effective path toward achieving these goals
Benefits of IFIO Therapy
Intimacy From The Inside Out (IFIO) Therapy is a specialized approach designed to nurture and strengthen emotional connections within relationships. It offers numerous benefits, including:
Enhanced Communication: IFIO therapy improves the ability to express thoughts and emotions openly and empathetically.
Deeper Emotional Bond: It fosters a stronger and more intimate connection between partners.
Conflict Resolution: IFIO equips couples with effective tools for resolving conflicts and disputes constructively.
Improved Self-Awareness: It encourages individuals to explore their inner selves and emotions, leading to a better understanding of their own needs and desires.
Increased Empathy: IFIO therapy enhances the capacity to empathize with one another's experiences and perspectives.
Strengthened Trust: Partners can rebuild or fortify trust by delving into their emotional worlds and addressing underlying issues.
Enhanced Sexual Intimacy: IFIO can improve sexual intimacy by addressing emotional barriers.
Relational Growth: Couples can grow together, strengthening their relationship over time.
Long-Term Relationship Success: IFIO therapy equips couples with the tools and insights necessary for long-term relationship satisfaction.
Personal and Relational Fulfillment: Ultimately, IFIO therapy empowers individuals and couples to lead more satisfying and connected lives.
Excerpt from: Toni Herbine – Blank, Donna., M., Kerpelman, and Martha Sweezy. Intimacy from the Inside Out. (2016) Rutledge, Taylor and Francic Group.