Application of Internal Family Systems Therapy in a College Student With Emotional Distress: A Case Report

Key Points

• Explore the value of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy for addressing complex emotional distress in a college student.
• Case report of a college student with emotional issues including nightmares and emotional fluctuations.
• Conceptualization of symptoms using IFS to understand internal conflicts between different 'parts'.
• Therapeutic sessions to activate the 'Self' and foster a non-judgmental relationship with internal parts.
• Reduction in the pathological understanding of symptoms reported by the student.
• Improved identification of protective functions of different internal parts.
• Alleviation of sleep fear and binge eating behaviors noted.
• Shorter emotional fluctuations and elevated levels of self-acceptance observed.
• Follow-up indicated gradual and progressive change in the student's emotional well-being.