Internal Family Systems

Parts work is an essential component of treating trauma as a whole, due to our human tendency to dissociate to varying degrees. This is a gentle, respectful, yet powerful approach.

Internal Family Systems Therapy is a foundational tool in work. IFS is a therapeutic approach that views the mind as a family system of interrelated parts, each with unique perspectives and roles. IFS helps clients identify and understand these different parts, which supports a feeling of integration and coherence in our lived experiences. By addressing the underlying conflicts and traumas that may be affecting these parts, IFS aims to promote healing, self-compassion, and personal growth.

I am trained in the Internal Family Systems (IFS) protocols. I have completed training and receive continuing education and consultation as an IFS informed therapist through ifsca.ca. As we learn to approach our different parts from a place of openhearted compassion, we can experience insight and deeper healing. The outcome of IFS therapy techniques include the unburdening and transformation of our parts bringing a sense of inner freedom and peace.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is like having a therapy session with all the different parts of yourself that sometimes clash or have different needs. It sees you as a team of inner "characters" - some might be protective, others vulnerable - and helps you understand and heal the relationships between them. It's like getting your own personal superhero squad of thoughts and emotions to work together and find peace.

Our minds are actually made up of sub-personalities. We may have our "work part" or "romantic part" and our work will be to get to know these different parts and understand what they do for our internal system. IFS believes we have an inherent self that can lead these parts in healthy ways by showing them compassion and a sense of self-leadership. This therapy will help the parts begin to trust the self. *IFS Informed

IFS gives us the space to externalize important parts of your system that protect you, judge you, love you, or anything in between! It's extremely valuable in helping us identify the patterns that keep you stuck and clarify where you learned them. It can even be a fun experience to hear from new and interesting parts of yourself that you haven't spent time getting to know. Let's be curious about the parts that make you who you are!

IFS is based on the idea that everyone's psyche consists of many different parts. Some of these parts are more dominant than others. The goal of IFS is to increase self-awareness and resolve inner conflicts.

We are made up of many parts that guide us, protect us, and walk along side us throughout our lives and relationships. Sometimes, these parts are loud while other important parts remain hidden, yet to be given an invitation to come out of the shadows and join us in our life journey. By engaging in inner child work, exploration of our parts, and promoting the Self, we can come closer to who we are, what we need, and how we access belonging in the intricacies of our internal and external world.

I have witnessed the profound shifts IFS can bring—whether it’s calming critical inner voices, soothing anxious parts, or empowering the "Self" to take a compassionate leadership role. My expertise allows me to create a safe space for clients to explore these inner dynamics and uncover lasting personal growth, bringing a sense of internal peace and clarity into their lives.

I am level 2 trained in IFS, and trained in IFIO for work with couples. I utilize somatic parts work to help you get to know all parts of you with care and compassion, bringing some understanding to inner conflicts and protective instincts. Parts of us are always communicating, through emotions, body sensations, thoughts, and more. In therapy with me, we can turn towards these parts and begin to listen and understand the messages they carry.

In my practice, I often use Internal Family Systems, identifying your internal parts, emotions, and patterns to learn what's helpful and unhelpful about them. During sessions, I'll help you learn how to safely identify parts that may feel vulnerable or problematic and how to establish a healthy relationship with them and yourself.

I utilize parts work and aspects of IFS extensively in my work. We all contain multitudes, as the saying goes. Our inner protectors can use a variety of tactics to keep us safe, but these can often cause us trouble in other ways. In therapy we work to bring insight and voice to those multitudes we contain within us, and we also, importantly, work to build a stronger connection to your core self to allow you more agency to take back the reins and develop self-trust.

This approach is a creative deep dive into the often conflicting internal dialogues we all hold inside. Ever felt one particular way but also pulled in another direction? Ever wanted to work on building healthy connection to a person but anger and resentment seem to be driving the interactions? This approach engages directly the tensions that pull us apart and cultivates a deep centeredness in what we call "self" energy - the wise healing intelligence already within you.

I continue to add to my knowledge of IFS through readings and trainings. I have utilized IFS meditations with clients and recognize its power to cultivate self-compassion and improve one's knowledge of themselves.

IFS is a way of looking at the different parts that make up each one of us. When we get to know those parts, both the protective ones and the ones that are hurting, we can help them heal. IFS helps us get to know our Self and understand the capacity our Self has to heal those parts and let the protectors move on to find other jobs.

Sometimes part of you wants to do something, and part of you doesn't. It can feel like a battle in your head! You may feel frozen or indecisive. Additionally, it can lead to feeling like part of you "takes over" and leaves you feeling ashamed or upset that you didn't handle something the way you wanted to. We can get a better idea of what all parts of yourself want, and get them communicating kindly, so you feel integrated in your choices, and like you're acting in your own best interests.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) can be incredibly supportive to working with our complex and multitudes of feelings individually with the goal of integrating them back into our whole self. IFS coupled with Holistic Therapy, Attachment Theory and Nervous System Support is the most immediately effective and long lasting approach I have found in my work with clients.