Internal Family Systems Therapy and Christian Counseling

How Christian Counselors Can Help Heal the Image of God in Those They Counsel

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In Romans 7, Paul lays bare the inner turmoil experienced by all believers: the tension between desiring to do good and succumbing to sin. “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19). For Christians, this struggle points to the fractured nature of humanity in a fallen world. Sin divides our hearts, and though we may strive to overcome this brokenness, the solution lies not in human effort but in the healing work of the Holy Spirit.

The Internal Family Systems (IFS) model offers a framework for understanding and addressing this inner fragmentation. However, integrating IFS with Christian faith requires discernment. While IFS speaks of the “Self” as a guiding force, Scripture teaches us that the human heart is deceitful and cannot heal itself (Jeremiah 17:9). Instead, it is the Holy Spirit who illuminates our brokenness and brings true healing. How can aligning with the principles of IFS with biblical truths and incorporating faith-based practices similar to Theophostic Prayer or the Immanuel Approach help us to better understand how to overcome inner conflict and grow in connection with God?