Internal Family Systems

Internal Family Systems Therapy is a foundational tool in work. IFS is a therapeutic approach that views the mind as a family system of interrelated parts, each with unique perspectives and roles. IFS helps clients identify and understand these different parts, which supports a feeling of integration and coherence in our lived experiences. By addressing the underlying conflicts and traumas that may be affecting these parts, IFS aims to promote healing, self-compassion, and personal growth.

Internal family systems is a theory of personality that we are all composed of different "parts" of ourselves instead of one unified personality. This modality resonates with me after years of hearing clients naturally say "well part of me thought 'X' and part of me thought 'Y.'" IFS is an intuitive form of self healing that helps clients expand their self compassion and self awareness.

AKA "Parts Work". Multiple parts exist within us, each with their own needs, wants, fears, and beliefs. All of them are important - even the ones we don’t like. Parts Work can help name, give voice to, and integrate these parts. It can be particularly helpful for expanding our sense of agency and clarity when addressing stuckness, inner conflict, ambivalence, and self sabotage. If you’ve seen the movie Inside Out and resonate with the “emotional headquarters” concept, this is probably your jam.

I am trained in Dick Schwatrz's Internal Family Systems. Parts of psyche split and take the hit from the trauma in order to protect the whole psyche. These parts are often stuck in time and space and looking for a chance to be resurrected. These parts might have behaviors that we don't like, clients often show up in therapy sessions seeking help to get rid of these unwanted behaviors. However when we help these parts to heal , their gifts will then show up in our lives.

Just like a family is made up of different individuals with their own unique personalities and roles, our internal world is composed of different parts. Each part has its own specific qualities, desires, and intentions. Our parts are often in conflict with one another which causes internal distress. Rejecting, hiding, or denying our parts does not make them go away - it primarily causes us to lose a chance for connection and understanding. IFS is a framework for building inner harmony.

I use an Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed approach to help you explore how your family relationships shaped your inner self. We often develop these parts of ourselves in response to different relationships, and they may need to transform to align with who you are today. Together, we will identify and nurture these inner parts, so that you can gain valuable insight to your emotions and behaviors. This helps foster self-compassion, making it easier to create the fulfilling life you desire.

I have taken several trainings by top clinicians in the field and have integrated this approach into many of my sessions throughout my time as a counselor.

Internal Family Systems therapy has quickly become one of my favorite approaches for supporting people in building compassion for the multiplicity of the self. To gain greater understanding of this modality I have completed CEU's, listed to hours of podcasts, and read multiple books on utilizing this approach. I integrate IFS and parts work into many of my sessions.

Informed by Internal Family Systems, Parts Work is a therapeutic modality that works with the multi-faceted dynamics of being human. It allows us to look at the many different parts of who you are and identify which parts have been disconnected. There may be parts that actually feel at odds with each other, creating a disjointed experience of life. Over time we’ll give voice to each part, name their core desires, and gradually reintegrate them to create a greater sense of wholeness.

Jordan finds that IFS pairs well with EMDR, psychedelic-assisted therapy, and treatment-resistant disorders as a way of normalizing clients' diverse inner experience and holding space for parts of self that may be hurting.

Rather than having one solid personality, we have multiple internal parts or subpersonalities that developed to help us cope with intense situations and have taken on extreme thoughts, feelings or behaviors. This can look like getting flooded suddenly by anxiety, an internal debate that goes in circles, a highly critical voice, an addictive behavior, or a physical sensation. With IFS, we work to get to know and appreciate our parts so they can take on more helpful roles in our current life.

For many people, Parts Therapy (or IFS) is a game-changer. It involves listening to different parts of self (inner protectors, inner child, etc.) to awaken what's already there and build more cohesiveness instead of allowing a never-ending inner battle. People usually enter therapy with frustration towards a part (e.g., avoidance or defensiveness), but are able to eventually understand the role it's been playing and to support that role in a way that allows it to calm down.

Internal Family Systems Therapy is a foundational aspect of work. IFS is a therapeutic approach that views the mind as a family system of interrelated parts, each with unique perspectives and roles. IFS helps clients identify and understand these different parts, which supports a feeling of integration and coherence in our lived experiences. By addressing the underlying conflicts and traumas that may be affecting these parts, IFS aims to promote healing, self-compassion, and personal growth.

Each individual contains multiple parts, each of which play an important role in the makeup of who someone is. Each part must be acknowledged, understood, and integrated into a person's whole and true self in order to heal.

I am a Level 1 trained provider in IFS.

I am a Level 1 graduate of the Internal Family Systems training.

Are you searching for an experienced IFS (Internal Family Systems) Therapist? IFS Therapy is an experiential, somatic, trauma-focused therapeutic approach that helps you to connect with your true self and heal from trauma. I've completed multiple intensive IFS Therapy trainings and and have experienced IFS Therapy as a client in order to best support you. Email me today to schedule a session. I look forward to connecting with you!

I have witnessed the profound shifts IFS can bring—whether it’s calming critical inner voices, soothing anxious parts, or empowering the "Self" to take a compassionate leadership role. My expertise allows me to create a safe space for clients to explore these inner dynamics and uncover lasting personal growth, bringing a sense of internal peace and clarity into their lives.

I use evidence-based methods like Internal Family Systems (IFS), attachment-based therapy, and body-based approaches to personalize your care to honor who you are and what you’re seeking from therapy. In a typical session together, you can expect laughter, authenticity, and a whole lot of compassion. My ultimate aim is to create a safe, “come as you are” space for you to pursue healing—a place where you can authentically share your story, free from shame and feelings of unworthiness.