What is Internal Family Systems Therapy?

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a gentle, compassionate model that helps you understand your inner world as a system of parts — the ones that work to protect you, the ones that react in difficult moments, and the ones that carry hurt from the past. IFS supports you in getting to know these parts with curiosity and care, and in relating to them from your core Self — the calm, compassionate presence within you that can guide true healing. IFS can be helpful for both individuals and couples, supporting personal growth as well as stronger, more secure relationships.

IFS Can Help You

Understand the patterns and emotional reactions that contribute to anxiety, stress, or feeling stuck
Gently shift the parts of you that feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or weighed down
Create more ease, calm, and clarity in your daily life
Build a kinder, more supportive relationship with your inner world
Heal the parts of you that carry pain, fear, or old burdens that keep resurfacing
Strengthen your ability to navigate relationships with greater security, openness, and trust
Feel more grounded and connected to yourself so you can move through life with more confidence and choice

By developing insight and learning to relate to the parts of yourself that are protective or carry pain, you can begin the process of transformation — bringing healing to your internal system and positively impacting the patterns, behaviors, and emotions you struggle with.

For couples, IFS can help partners build more secure, trusting relationships, navigate conflict with curiosity rather than blame, strengthen intimacy, repair from breaches of trust, and support each other through life’s challenges. It helps each partner understand their

own internal parts as well as their partner’s, fostering compassion, communication, and connection in

the relationship.

Working with an IFS Therapist

In IFS therapy, the focus is on developing a direct, compassionate relationship with your internal parts. An

IFS therapist helps you slow down, turn inward, and

connect with your parts in a safe, supportive environment.

Together, we work to:

Understand the protective parts that drive certain thoughts, emotions, or behaviors
Approach your inner world with more curiosity and less judgment
Support protective parts in relaxing out of overworked roles
Uncover what vulnerable parts need in order to feel understood and cared for
Gently release burdens from past experiences that still affect you today
Build more internal connection, stability, and trust over time

For couples, this process also includes exploring each partner’s internal parts, fostering understanding, improving communication, navigating conflict with curiosity, and strengthening connection and intimacy.

As an IFS-trained therapist, I approach this work with curiosity, warmth, and deep respect for your inner system. IFS aligns with my belief that you hold an intact core — even if life has covered it with layers of protection. In our sessions, all parts of you are welcome, and no part is bad. By uncovering the positive intentions or needs each part is trying to meet, we can help them work less hard, freeing up your system and creating space for healing.

Who IFS Therapy Can Help

Individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, or overwhelming emotions
People moving through life transitions or relational challenges
Anyone healing from trauma or painful past experiences
Those wanting to understand and shift recurring patterns in thoughts, feelings, or behaviors

Individuals and couples seeking a deeper, more compassionate relationship with themselves and each other
Couples wanting to strengthen connection, navigate conflict, repair trust, and build a more secure partnership

Start Your IFS Journey

If you’re ready to explore your inner world and create more understanding within yourself and in your relationships, I offer IFS therapy for individuals and couples in Illinois. Sessions are currently available virtually.

Schedule a Free Consultation