Thriving with ADHD: Harnessing the Power of the Internal Family Systems Eight Cs

For many people with ADHD, emotional disregulation, negativity bias, and rejection sensitivity can lower self-esteem and deepen social challenges. That’s just one of the reasons why I invite my clients to lead with the Eight Cs of Self-Leadership. They are: confidence, calmness, creativity, clarity, curiosity, courage, compassion, and connectedness.

Using the Internal Family Systems Eight Cs can help you be centered and grounded in the face of stressful situations by emphasizing the importance of being open and curious as opposed to giving into your immediate impulses. Outcomes such as emotion regulation, overcoming procrastination, building resistance, improving relationships, and creating empowerment have been reported by clients who incorporate the Eight Cs into their daily lives.

Self-leadership can help improve emotional regulation by fostering self-awareness, self-compassion, and self-acceptance — ultimately supporting a more balanced emotional state. By developing qualities such as confidence, clarity, and courage, you can learn to overcome procrastination and take action in their lives. The model can also help you develop resilience, which is essential for coping with the ups and downs of life. By fostering calmness, creativity, and connectedness, individuals can learn to navigate challenges more effectively and bounce back from setbacks. The 8 Cs can also have a positive impact on relationships, as they promote empathy, compassion, and effective communication.

Examining the interplay between thoughts, emotions can additionally strengthen your connections with others and build supportive networks — elements that may help you feel more empowered and in control of your life. The ultimate goal is to increase your self-esteem, sense of purpose, and overall improved well-being.

My goal is for clients to walk away from sessions with a deeper understanding and connection to themselves as well as practical strategies for living a more balanced, harmonious, and successful life. I’ve found that the Eight Cs apply to nearly every conflict or struggle faced by my clients. If I have the pleasure of working with you, we can discuss how you can best harness the Eight Cs to work through whatever life is throwing your way.