Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy | Healing Inner Parts
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is a compassionate, non‑pathologizing approach that helps people understand and heal the internal parts of themselves with curiosity and care. Rather than focusing on what’s “wrong,” IFS assumes that the mind is made up of multiple parts (each with its own beliefs, emotions, and strategies) and that these parts can be understood, supported, and integrated.
What IFS Is
In IFS, we work with the idea that your internal system contains different “parts,” such as protectors, critics, caregivers, or vulnerable younger selves. These parts often develop as responses to stress or past experiences, especially early attachment or trauma. IFS seeks to foster a trusting relationship between the “Self” (a calm, curious core of awareness) and these internal parts, allowing healing and harmony to emerge.
Who It Helps
IFS can be especially supportive for dealing with:
Complex trauma or attachment wounds
Persistent self‑criticism or inner conflict
Anxiety, overwhelm, or perfectionism
Difficulty accessing a grounded sense of self
Feeling torn between pressures of what you want and what others expect
How It Works
In sessions, we identify and engage with different parts of your experience, building internal understanding rather than suppressing or rejecting emotions. Over time, this helps reduce inner conflict and build a greater sense of inner peace and feeling like your true self.
Benefits
Clients often report:
Improved emotional regulation
Greater self‑compassion and resilience
Reduced internal turmoil
More clarity and ease in daily life
What to Expect
IFS sessions are typically a combination of conversation and mindfulness-based practices that are paced to your comfort. This approach pairs well with my other therapeutic modalities like somatic work and trauma‑informed practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
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IFS focuses on exploring your “parts” and how they interact, rather than only addressing symptoms. It helps you understand inner conflicts and tensions, while also helping you feel more like you’re leading from your authentic self. Sessions incorporate more mindfulness and inner awareness.
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Yes, in my practice I often integrate IFS with the trauma-conscious yoga method, and other somatic practices.
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Yes, I frequently integrate principles from narrative therapy into IFS. Narrative therapy is all about the stories we tell ourselves to understand the world and this is something our parts do as well. Learning what stories our parts are currently telling can help us understand what we need to unburden to move forward.
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Some clients experience shifts in self-awareness or emotional regulation quickly, while deeper integration may take several weeks or months.
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Yes. IFS is trauma-sensitive and allows exploration of difficult experiences safely and at your own pace.
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Yes, sometimes IFS can be confusing to explain in a general sense but it’s very intuitive for clients to use. We already have internal conversations and tensions, even if we don’t think of them that way.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation
I offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your needs and see if we're a good fit for working together. This brief call gives you a chance to ask questions and get a feel for my therapy approach without any obligation.
What to expect during our consultation:
A brief discussion about what brings you to therapy
An overview of how I might support your specific needs
Answers to your questions about the therapy process
Information about session rates and scheduling
Taking the first step toward therapy can feel vulnerable, I'm here to make the process as comfortable as possible