The work
What this work is, and who it helps
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a compassionate, evidence-informed approach that sees the mind as made up of different parts, with a calm, wise core Self underneath them. It helps you get to know those parts with curiosity rather than judgment, so the ones carrying old burdens can soften.
What is Internal Family Systems therapy?
Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS treats the different parts of yourself, especially the ones that feel anxious, critical, overwhelmed, or shut down, not as problems to eliminate but as parts that are doing a job, usually trying, in their own way, to protect you. We relate to them with curiosity and compassion.
Who IFS helps
The critic that will not ease up, the planner that never rests, the part that goes numb: each one formed for a reason, often around old hurt or fear. IFS helps with anxiety, inner conflict, self- criticism, perfectionism, and the parts of you that feel stuck or overwhelmed.
How IFS sessions work, and how IFS and EFT fit together
In IFS, we do not fight your parts. We get curious about what they are afraid would happen if they let go, and we help them trust that you can handle things. As protective parts relax, you get more access to the steadier, more grounded part of you. IFS pairs well with attachment-based work and EFT, so the same care that helps you understand yourself also helps you connect with the people you love.