Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy is about increasing self-knowledge and offering true healing.
We are all made up of different “parts”—aspects of our personality that carry unique emotions, memories, and roles. Some parts protect us, some carry wounds, and some help us move forward. By understanding our inner landscape through IFS, we have a chance to heal and reach our full potential.
At Liljana’s Practice, we use Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy as the primary framework of treatment. Please reach out to ask questions and learn more about how it works. You can also learn about IFS by reading our blog (include link).
Additionally, below are some videos and articles about IFS you might want to peruse for more information.
What Is IFS Therapy?
IFS is a powerful, evidence-based model that views the mind as a system of interconnected parts. Instead of trying to “get rid” of parts that feel troublesome (like self-doubt, anger, or avoidance), IFS helps you understand their purpose, heal their wounds, and restore balance to your internal world.
Through IFS, you can:
- Identify and connect with your “core Self”
- Transform your relationship with difficult emotions
- Release burdens carried by wounded parts
- Foster more harmony within yourself
Our Approach to IFS
Our Approach to IFS
We guide you through a gentle process of getting to know each of your parts with care, compassion, and curiosity.
- Recognize the different roles they play in your life
- Understand why certain parts take on certain jobs
- Build trust between your parts and your core Self
- Integrate healing so all parts work together
The therapist’s approach is without judgment and without an agenda. Your parts know best where the pain is and what would bring relief.
There is an interesting story that illustrates how important it is to get to know our parts’ true intent. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2912711/)
In the 1980s, Dr Vincent Felitti, a primary care doctor whose work was focused on preventative care, noticed something very odd in a group of his patients. As he was providing medication to target obesity, more than half of his patients taking the treatment dropped out. What particularly surprised him was that the patients who dropped out had been losing weight consistently and successfully. He couldn’t understand why people would give up on a treatment that was so beneficial for them!
It was only later on, and mostly by chance, that Dr. Felitti learned that a majority of his overweight patients who dropped out of treatment had been sexually abused, often starting from a very young age.
Looking at this through the IFS framework, it is clear that these patients had parts that wanted them to be overweight. Being overweight was associated with safety for these parts, because maybe it would mean they would be unappealing to an assailant. Or maybe they’d be big enough to fight back and protect themselves. When a well-meaning doctor comes in with an agenda to help the person lose weight, he’s missing a crucial piece of the puzzle – not all parts of the patient want to lose weight.
We think similarly when treating your behaviors or emotions. Before we decide that you shouldn’t do this or shouldn’t feel that, we try to understand what part of you wants you to do this or feel that. What are that part’s reasons and concerns? Then we work together to see if we can meet those needs in a different way.
These are the questions we will ask and answer together, as we explore your inner landscape, mindfully and compassionately. compassionately.
What IFS Can Help With
- Trauma recovery and emotional wounds
- Anxiety, depression, and inner criticism
- Relationship challenges
- Self-esteem and self-worth issues
- Decision-making and life direction
Why Choose Liljana’s Practice for IFS?
- Certified IFS-trained therapists with trauma-informed expertise
- A respectful, non-judgmental environment
- Options for online or in-person sessions
- Culturally sensitive and multilingual care