Internal Family Systems is a groundbreaking approach to psychotherapy that has exploded in popularity over the past several years. Renowned for its effectiveness in resolving trauma and emotional distress, IFS normalizes our struggles and moves beyond the stigmatizing world of diagnosis and mental illness. This approach fosters harmony and healing within, giving us what we need to enjoy healthy and satisfying connections with others.

Foundational Principles of IFS

• As humans, we consist of multiple “Parts,” each with a unique perspective and purpose.

• Some Parts have open hearts and are easily hurt, while other Parts try to protect us from hurt and pain.

• Parts that protect often learned to do this job in childhood when we had limited resources (fight, flight, freeze).

• Parts inside can experience intense conflict, draining our energy, vitality and joy.

• Parts need our help to “unburden” or let go of old pain, hurts and negative beliefs about ourselves.

• When we slow down to see our parts clearly, we can feel a flow of warmth and understanding for their experience.

• This warmth or self-compassion is called Self Energy and is a healing resource inside every one of us.

• When parts become connected to our own Self Energy, their gifts (e.g. playfulness, creativity, joy) become integrated and a part of our whole being.