Experiential Therapy Available Online & In-Person
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
We Are More Than One Thing
We often think of ourselves as having a single, unified personality. Yet different aspects of us can emerge in different moments. One part may long for closeness while another pulls away. One may feel confident while another is convinced we are inadequate. At times, these inner states can become so powerful that they seem to take over entirely.
IFS understands these experiences as parts. Jungian psychology describes something similar through the concept of complexes: emotionally charged patterns that can operate with a certain autonomy, shaping how we feel, perceive, and respond before we are consciously aware of what is happening.
What this might look like
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Welcoming
We notice the part that is present and approach it with curiosity rather than trying to change or get rid of it.
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Listening
As we listen to a part, we begin to understand its role and the experiences that shaped it, including what it may be protecting or carrying.
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Unburdening
Once a part has been fully witnessed, it can begin to release the beliefs, emotions, and burdens it has carried from the past, allowing it to take on a new role.
The Self
IFS proposes that beneath our protective strategies and wounded parts is a deeper presence, what it calls Self.
From this place, we begin to witness our thoughts, emotions, and inner parts rather than becoming completely identified with them. We discover that anxiety, self-criticism, or people-pleasing are real aspects of us, but they are not the whole of who we are.
How Change Happens
IFS is not about getting rid of our parts, but changing our relationship with them. As they feel heard and understood, they often soften, making it possible to respond from Self rather than being driven by old patterns. The goal is not to become a person without parts, but to live with greater freedom, choice, and inner coherence.
A few common questions
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It might be, especially if you've found yourself repeating the same patterns despite your best efforts to change. IFS helps you understand and transform the parts that keep those patterns alive.
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It depends on what brings you to therapy. Some people come to work through a particular issue, while others use IFS to understand and transform longstanding patterns that have shaped their lives.
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It was a privilege to train with Derek Scott, whose passion and gift for teaching first drew me to IFS. His way of bringing the model to life continues to shape how I practice today.
Since then, I've continued to deepen my understanding of IFS through advanced workshops with the IFS Institute, Robert Falconer, Life Architect, and other experienced IFS trainers.
Ready to talk?
If any of this sounds familiar, I'd be glad to hear from you. A free 20-minute consultation is a good place to start.