Internal Family Systems

I have completed training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), a powerful approach that helps clients explore different parts of themselves, heal attachment wounds, and foster self-compassion. IFS allows individuals to understand and unburden emotions that may be keeping them stuck.

Find out more via my speciality webpage for Internal Family Systems: https://windingriverpsychotherapyservices.com/ifs-therapy

IFS is a powerful approach for creating inner harmony by helping clients connect with and heal their exiled parts (those carrying trauma or pain) and other protective parts. This method empowers individuals to live in a more authentic Self-led way, free from internal conflict and reactive patterns. By fostering self-compassion and understanding, IFS helps clients reclaim their inner strength, cultivate emotional balance, and foster lasting healing.

I am an internal family systems informed therapist and have been using the IFS modality to assist clients with many issues including anxiety, depression, and impacts of trauma.

I am in the process of receiving training and certification in Internal Family Systems therapy.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic approach developed by Richard Schwartz that views the mind as made up of distinct "parts," each with its own beliefs, emotions, and roles. An IFS approach emphasizes the importance of the "Self," a compassionate core that can lead the healing process. IFS aims to promote self-awareness, emotional healing, and improved mental health by fostering communication and integration among parts.

Internal family systems therapy (IFS) is a form of psychotherapy that views the self as composed of multiple sub-personalities or “parts.” IFS assumes that these parts can have different goals, values, and opinions and often conflict with one another. The goal of IFS therapy is to help people become aware of these parts and learn how to communicate with them to work together towards the common goal of healing.

Internal Family Systems (IFS): is an effective tool to help center and ground you in your true self, relieving challenging parts that carry pain and act in unhealthy ways.

Internal Family Systems Therapy allows you to access your inner strength, self-compassion, and clarity. We do this by developing a deeper understanding of the different parts of yourself. Through this insight and compassion, you can heal the wounded parts of yourself that may be causing problems in your life. I am here as a non-judgmental and caring support as you go through this process of positive change.

I primarily work from an Internal Family Systems orientation. I am level 1 trained in IFS through the IFS Institute. IFS is an evidence-based practice that can be used for pretty much any type of issue, but it is especially useful for working through trauma. Using IFS, I can guide the process but my clients really lead us in whichever direction they need. IFS explains people in terms of "parts" rather than being single-minded, which tracks for people with religious trauma and eating disorders.

There are so many parts of you that are serving you in different ways. Understanding yourself as complex human being is an important way to provide yourself with the compassion you need to heal. Together we will take a deeper look into the parts of you that are helping, those that are hurting, and those that might do a little of both!

I use the book Self Therapy as a companion guide for working with clients in IFS sessions.

You have different sides or parts of yourself. The problem is when they don't get along, or want different things. Our goal is to get them on the same page, making joint decisions that allow the whole of you to feel more balanced & content. This internal family works with all the same dynamics as a real family system, with disagreements, roles, alliances... IFS is like family therapy with the people inside of you. The goal is NOT to all blend into one, but to foster a loving, supportive family.

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.

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.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is a transformative, evidence-based approach that helps you understand and heal your inner world. It views the mind as made up of sub-personalities, or "parts," each with its own perspective. By fostering a compassionate relationship with these parts, especially the wounded and protective ones, IFS promotes emotional healing, reduces inner conflict, and enhances self-awareness. Ideal for addressing trauma, anxiety, and relationship challenges.

Are you searching for a trained IFS Therapist? IFS is an experiential, somatic, trauma-focused therapeutic approach that helps you to connect with your true self and heal from trauma. IFS therapy differs from other approaches by viewing individuals as having an internal system of parts led by a core Self, emphasizing compassionate, non-pathologizing healing through understanding, unburdening, and harmonizing these parts to address root causes rather than just managing symptoms.

My work is informed by Internal Family Systems. This means that I'll help you with exploring the different parts of yourself & how they all work together to both serve you and potentially keep you from your overall goals. I aim to help you have compassion and understanding towards the parts of yourself, while building up your ability to live from your most authentic Self.

People naturally understand that they have different parts of their personality. Internal Family Systems builds on this way of understanding ourselves. When I integrate this model into my work, my clients are able to bring more compassion, courage, calm and creativity to themselves and others. This helps bring more satisfaction into their lives and relationships.