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Have you ever struggled with intense emotions while parenting that seem to come out of nowhere? In today’s episode, I sit down with Bonnie Weiss, an internationally known trainer in Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS).
I was blown away by Bonnie’s compassionate approach to understanding the complex parts within us that influence our parenting. She explains how IFS helps separate our reactive “parts” from our true self, allowing us to parent with more awareness and less shame. We explore how generational trauma creates “legacy burdens” that affect our parenting and discover practical techniques to release these burdens. What really resonated with me was Bonnie’s explanation of how self-compassion enables us to become more curious about our children’s behaviors instead of just reacting to them.
If you’re a parent who sometimes feels overwhelmed by anger, perfectionism, or shame, this conversation offers a gentle roadmap toward healing that will benefit both you and your children.
More about Bonnie Weiss:
Bonnie Weiss, M.A., LCSW, is an Internal Family Systems clinician, teacher, and supervisor. Her distinctive approach is an emotionally-deep, present-centered, yet action-oriented way of working. She combines a quick mind, clear insight, and sharp intuition with solid experience in developing trusting and meaningful transformative relationships. Her commitment is to facilitate personal growth and help people live to their highest potential.
Bonnie has taught classes and workshops on the Internal Family Systems Model, working with the Inner Critic, Beyond Eating, Legacy Burdens and Hearing our Stories.. She has most recently taught in Australia, Germany, Israel, Ireland, and at Easlen Institute. She is known for her clear and open teaching and her spiritual presence.
She is the author of Self-Therapy Workbook, The Illustrated Workbook for Freedom from Your Inner Critic, Activating Your Inner Champion, and with Jay Earley, Freedom from Your Inner Critic, Letting Go of Perfectionism. IFS Basic Class and IFS Demonstration Sessions.
Topics covered on Internal Family Systems Therapy:
- What exactly is Internal Family Systems therapy?
- How can parents identify and work with the different “parts” of themselves that show up during challenging parenting moments?
- What are “legacy burdens” and how can we prevent passing them to our children?
- How does Internal Family Systems therapy’s unique approach to healing generational trauma work in practice?
- How can we handle parts of ourselves that we’re ashamed of and don’t want to accept?
- How does becoming curious about ourselves help us become more curious about our children?
- What resources are available for parents who want to try Internal Family Systems techniques but can’t access therapy?
Connect with Dr. Robyn Koslowitz:
- Website: www.drrobynkoslowitz.com
- Post Traumatic Parenting Guidebook
- Come say hi on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
- Book: Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle and Become the Parent You Always Wanted to Be
Connect with Bonnie Weiss:
- Email: bonnieWeiss@gmail.com
- Website: selfcapacities.com
- Illustrated Workbook For Freedom from Your Inner Critic:: A Self Therapy Approach
- Freedom from Your Inner Critic – Letting go of perfectionism
- Courses: https://www.selfcapacities.com/courses
Resources from this episode:
- IFS Guide App: https://ifsguide.com/
- “Ghosts in the Nursery” by Selma Fraiberg
- YouTube channel: Post Traumatic Parenting
Quote:
“Every part deserves a seat at the table. Every part has a positive intention.” – Bonnie Weiss
More about Post Traumatic Parenting:
“How can I give my kids a normal childhood, when mine was anything but?” Post-Traumatic Parenting is the podcast for anyone who has ever asked themselves that question. Robyn Koslowitz, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and Post-Traumatic Parent, combines the fields of post-traumatic recovery and growth with our best understanding of how to raise Little Humans. Through interviews with experts in the fields of behavior science, psychology, trauma, and child development, as well as interviews with toy developers, children’s book authors, and anyone else who makes childhood a delight, Dr. Koslowitz explores how trauma impacts our parenting, and how to hack our traumas into superpowers and super-parenting.
Each week, Dr. Koslowitz unpacks how to survive and thrive as a Post-Traumatic Parent. She shares behind-the-scenes insights into the research that underlies what we know about parenting, child development, and trauma recovery. Each podcast provides actionable tips about how to transform our Post-Traumatic Parenting and how to turn our parenting journey into a post-traumatic growth experience. Dr. Koslowitz interviews some of the famous names in these fields, and some experts you’ve never heard of (but should have!). Ready to go from survivor to thriver? Ready to become the parent you’ve always dreamed of being? Join us!
