A Compassionate Conversation about "Addictive" Processes with Cece Sykes

In this workshop, Cece Sykes, an IFS trainer, shares her insights on working with clients who have addictive processes, emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying system of parts rather than focusing solely on the addictive behavior itself. Drawing from her extensive experience in the IFS community and personal connections to the topic, she encourages therapists to consider their own perspectives—as clinicians, as individuals with loved ones who struggle, and as people with their own addictive tendencies. Sykes outlines key IFS principles, such as the inherent self, multiplicity of parts, and the systemic nature of the psyche, and how these relate to addictive processes. She advocates for a compassionate, collaborative approach that seeks to build relationships with all parts, including those driving addictive behaviors, rather than trying to control or eliminate them, and introduces the concept of polarities within the system, such as the tension between managers and firefighters, and guides listeners through an exercise to map their own internal systems related to these processes.