INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS THERAPY (IFS)

What is INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS THERAPY?

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic model that focuses on increasing awareness of, developing relationship with, and expanding trust between parts within us and our natural guidance system, aka Self. This model takes the perspective that we all have an internal set of parts that ideally are in balance with our system. Although each part plays a very important role, they can get burdened into extreme roles due to adverse experience, conditioning, trauma, or attachment injuries. The goal of Internal Family Systems is not to eliminate parts but to help them find their non-extreme roles by increasing connection, trust, safety and stability.

how is IFS incorporated into therapy?

As an Internal Family Systems trained trained therapist, I work with clients to incorporate this model in a way that best serves treatment goals and the integrity of the therapeutic process.

Sessions using Internal Family Systems can feel like experiential talk therapy. A curious and compassionate stance is taken by me to lead the client into the process of increasing awareness of their parts, relationship building with those parts, and learning to expand access to one’s Self energy to help heal burdened parts. Somatic (body) exploration, art, writing, and other forms of expression can also be incorporated into sessions as appropriate.

What can Internal family systems help with?

  • Anxiety

  • Stress

  • Depression

  • Childhood Adversities

  • Internalized Beliefs

  • Emotional Regulation

  • Relationship Distress

  • Trauma

  • Disturbing Memories

  • Panic Attacks

  • Eating Disorders

  • Grief & Loss

  • Connectivity

  • Life Transitions

  • And much more…