Internal Family Systems

Therapy is each person’s unique journey, one that is begun with an intention of overcoming certain challenges. Untangling internal patterns to achieve greater clarity and balance requires a level of dedication that is totally yours. You have the choice to stop your therapy at any time. We advise you to speak with your therapist about your intentions to discontinue so that you may conclude therapy in an effective way that helps you integrate the progress you have gained so far.

As with other therapy modalities, the number of sessions needed will vary from one individual to the next. This can be discussed with your therapist during the first session. 

The IFS therapist is there to be a guide and facilitator of your process. She/he plays the role of raising your own curiosity and awareness of the dynamic happening within you. The goals of the IFS therapist are to empower you to create a healthy and effective relationship with your own self, to increase your ability for emotion regulation, and to improve your capacity for navigating different aspects of life more successfully.

When we talk about working with “parts of ourselves”, the approach is intended to create a greater ability to be an observer of certain patterns. It is not so much about ‘believing in’ nor is it about becoming ‘totally immersed’ by any one part, but rather, it is to gain self-understanding and awareness. Each part represents important aspects of our internal reality, one that constantly influences our interpretation and behavior. So there is great added value in becoming more aware of them. By having the ability to observe them, rather than fall into them without our conscious awareness, we discover what their needs are, what role each part plays, and how to transform the parts with a greater sense of integration and harmony, all of which is beneficial for mental health.