IFS:
INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS THERAPY

​Have you ever felt torn about a decision, even something as simple as what to have for lunch? For example, one part of you might crave the indulgence of dining out, while another part urges you to save money and eat at home. Maybe there’s even a part of you that feels anxious or guilty about the choice you make. This inner dialogue is an example of how our "parts" work within our minds!

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What is IFS Therapy?
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a compassionate, evidence-based therapeutic approach that views the mind as made up of distinct “parts” or subpersonalities. Each part plays a role in your life—some work to protect you, while others carry burdens from past experiences. In IFS, we focus on understanding these parts, especially the ones causing pain or distress.

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Common parts we explore in therapy might include:

Anxiety
Depression
Binge eating or restrictive eating behaviors
Alcohol or drug use

Grief

Shame

Fears/ Phobias
Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Inner critic or perfectionism

Intimacy issues

 

Often, the “extreme” parts of us that we want to silence or get rid of stem from early traumatic experiences. These parts developed as a way to protect us, even if their methods no longer serve us.

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How Can IFS Help You?

Instead of trying to suppress or eliminate these parts, IFS helps you build a relationship with them. Through this process, you’ll learn to:

Befriend your parts: Understand their motivations and origins.
Heal emotional wounds: Address the traumas that shaped your parts’ behavior.