IFS Talks Bringing IFS to Children, Parenting, and Schools - with Lisa Spiegel and Claire Stubbs
11 snips
Feb 28, 2026 Claire Stubbs, a UK counseling psychologist specializing in neurodiversity and school avoidance, and Lisa Spiegel, a seasoned child-and-family IFS therapist and author, discuss bringing parts work into children's lives. They cover introducing parts through play, adapting approaches for neurodivergent kids, working with parents and schools, reframing school refusal as protection, and practical strategies for classroom and family support.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Name The Presenting Symptom As A Part
- Introduce parts by naming the presenting symptom as a part right away to normalize it for the child.
- Lisa uses direct phrases like “a part of you that really doesn't want to go to school” and then follows the child's lead in session.
Embodiment Before Explanation For Neurodiversity
- For neurodivergent children, embody Self-energy and create safety rather than explaining the model first.
- Claire avoided activating a PDA child's protectors by modeling calm presence so parts emerged naturally.
Use Play As The Gateway To Parts Work
- Parts language can be used from about age three or four through play and modelling rather than formal protocol.
- Claire emphasizes play, drawing, sand figures and using IFS as a lens to notice parts in symbolic play.
