IFS-Informed Therapy
Healing That Starts with Self-Compassion
Have you ever thought what if the parts of you that feel “too much” are actually trying to help?
The anger that flares up, the perfectionism that won’t let go, or the part that shuts down when things get hard. We’ve been made to believe that these are all flaws, but the truth is, they’re protectors, and they’ve been working overtime.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) offers a way to understand these internal dynamics with compassion and empathy. In my practice, I employ an IFS-informed approach to help individuals and couples cultivate clarity, alleviate shame, and reconnect with their core self, which is often referred to as the calm, curious, and grounded part of themselves that knows how to lead.
REBUILD TRUST
REBUILD TRUST
What “IFS-Informed” Means Here
I draw from the IFS model of parts, protectors, exiles, and self-energy, but I’m not a certified IFS practitioner. My work is IFS-informed, shaped by ongoing training and consultation, and always grounded in safety.
You can expect:
Parts language: We name and explore your internal protectors and exiles.
Compassionate curiosity: No judgment, just gentle exploration.
Consent-based pacing: You guide the depth and speed of the work.
No forced catharsis: We don’t push for emotional breakthroughs. We wait for readiness.
How I Use IFS-Informed Work in Sessions
In our work together, we’ll start by noticing the parts of you that tend to take over when things feel stressful, such as the part that gets irritable, the one that shuts down, or the one that pushes you to keep going even when you're exhausted. These responses often have a purpose: to protect something more vulnerable underneath.
Instead of trying to eliminate these reactions, we become curious about them. What are they trying to shield you from? Often, they’re guarding parts of you that carry old pain, fear, or shame. We don’t want to rush into those places. Instead, we want to wait until your body feels ready, and then we approach those tender parts with care.
This kind of work can be especially helpful when you're dealing with moral injury, otherwise known as those moments when your actions (or inactions) don’t align with your values. IFS provides us with a way to understand the internal conflict, make space for all the voices inside, and begin to lead from a place of clarity and compassion.
We also practice noticing when a part is running the show and gently stepping back so you can speak about it, rather than from it. That shift creates breathing room, and with it, more choice in how you respond.
IFS for First Responders
In high-stakes roles, early attachment wounds can quietly shape how trauma lands. When something critical happens, those wounds can amplify the risk of PTSD symptoms.
IFS-informed therapy helps first responders:
Rebuild internal trust
Address guilt or shame loops
Reconcile values with what the job demanded (moral injury)
Understand reactive parts without judgment
Create space for self-energy
IFS in Couples Therapy
In relationships, parts meet parts. One person’s protector bumps into the other’s exile, and suddenly you’re both triggered.
IFS helps couples:
Pause protectors before they take over
Name and understand triggers
Practice co-regulation routines
Repair after conflict with clarity and compassion
FAQs
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No problem. We keep it simple and intuitive. You don’t need to know the model to benefit from it.
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Not at all. Parts work supports anyone navigating stress, relationships, or emotional stuckness.
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IFS is psychological, not spiritual, but many find it deeply meaningful.
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IFS-informed means I use the model in my work, but I’m not certified. I’m in ongoing training and consultation to deepen my practice.
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Weekly or biweekly sessions are common, but we’ll find a cadence that fits your needs and nervous system.
