Internal Family Systems

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a compassionate approach to psychotherapy that believes that the mind is naturally multiple and made up of parts, and that this multiplicity is a good thing. All parts are welcome in IFS, because it believes that our inner parts contain valuable qualities and our core Self knows how to heal. IFS offers clients an empowering way for understanding and harmonizing the mind, allowing them to become integrated and whole. IFS helps clients release burdens held by wounded parts that hold onto painful emotions such as hurt, anger, and shame, and to understand and compassionately accept parts that try to control and protect them from the pain of the wounded parts. By helping clients work through conflict between their parts and changing the dynamics that create distress, IFS enables clients to gain access to their core Self, which IFS describes as the confident, compassionate, whole person that is at the core of every individual.