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What is Internal Family Systems (IFS)?

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Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a type of psychotherapy developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz in the 1980s. It is based on the idea that the mind is made up of multiple distinct "parts" or sub-personalities, each with its own thoughts, emotions, and roles. These parts often develop in response to life experiences, especially early or traumatic ones. IFS views the mind as a kind of internal family system, where parts can either work harmoniously or come into conflict with one another. 

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How IFS Supports People in Therapy:

 

• Healing Trauma: IFS allows individuals to access and heal wounded parts without re-traumatizing them. The process is gentle and respectful.

• Improving Self-Understanding: Clients learn to identify, understand, and communicate with their parts, gaining insight into internal conflicts and behaviours.

• Reducing Inner Conflict: By recognizing and unburdening parts, clients often feel more harmony within themselves.

• Empowering the Self: The therapy emphasizes that the Self has the capacity to lead with compassion and clarity, promoting resilience and growth.

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​I've learned about IFS through formal training, personal reading, and my own experience in therapy. I truly believe and have seen for myself, that IFS can deeply change the way we relate to ourselves and others. What I love about the "parts" approach in IFS is that it’s non-judgmental, helps us connect with our emotions and reactions in a new way, and encourages us to see that every part of us has value and deserves compassion.

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I am Level 1 IFS trained and currently waitlisted for Level 2 training. In addition to IFS, I provide counselling using a range of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Somatic Therapy.