Internal Family Systems (IFS)

A Compassionate Path Back to Your Self

Life asks a lot of us. We carry responsibilities, histories, identities, and roles… and sometimes, old pain too. When that pain starts to shape our emotions, relationships, or habits, it can feel overwhelming.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy offers a gentle, evidence-informed way home to yourself. Instead of forcing change, IFS helps you discover how healing happens through compassion, not self-criticism.

In IFS, we explore the idea that we each have different parts within us — for example, the part that feels anxious, the part that wants to stay in control, or the part that seeks comfort through distraction or addictive patterns. This idea of a mind made up of “parts” is core to IFS .

Some parts hold pain, trauma, or emotion — often younger versions of us who had to cope with overwhelming experiences and are still carrying those memories and feelings . Other parts work hard to keep us safe and functioning in daily life by managing feelings or reacting when something feels threatening, even if the intention and impact don’t always match .

IFS helps each of these parts feel heard and supported, so they no longer have to protect you in ways that create stress, conflict, or emotional pain.

Why IFS? Because all parts of you deserve compassion.

Many clients feel relief when they discover nothing inside them is “bad” or broken — even parts that are reactive or self-protective like anger, withdrawal, or addictive behaviours. In fact, these parts hold a protective intention .

IFS allows you to meet yourself with:

  • Curiosity instead of judgment
  • Compassion instead of shame
  • Understanding instead of control

As IFS founder Dick Schwartz teaches, healing happens when we form relationship with our inner world, not when we try to control it.

IFS Can Support You With:

Individuals

Whether you’re navigating anxiety, trauma, burnout, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or chronic stress, IFS helps reconnect you with clarity, confidence, and calm — qualities known as the “Self-energy” at the heart of IFS .

Couples

Relationships bring out our tender parts — sometimes the ones that react fast or shut down quickly. IFS helps partners understand each other’s internal systems, reduce emotional reactivity, and build safety and intimacy.

Families

IFS offers a shared language for understanding behaviours, emotions, and patterns. Families learn to listen differently, recognize protective parts in one another, and create connection rather than conflict.

Trauma Healing

Trauma often leaves “frozen-in-time” parts holding pain, fear, or shame . IFS gently supports them to be seen, unburdened, and healed — without forcing retelling of traumatic memories before safety is established.

Addiction & Compulsive Patterns

IFS views addiction not as a flaw but as a protective strategy — a part trying to help you cope, even when the impact is painful. Addiction is seen as a cycle between parts trying to soothe pain and parts trying to manage or control the behaviour. By bringing compassion to both sides of this inner struggle, healing becomes possible.

What to Expect

In our sessions, you will never be pushed or judged. My role is to help you:

  • Build a secure internal relationship with your parts
  • Understand what each part is protecting
  • Develop more access to your calm, compassionate “Self”
  • Allow parts to release old burdens and adopt healthier roles

As Cece Sykes — a leading IFS teacher — says:
“We treat the system, not the symptom.”

A Canadian Certified Counsellor, Here to Support You

With advanced training in trauma-informed therapies including IFS, Somatic Therapy, EMDR, and Brainspotting, I support you with grounded, compassionate care rooted in real connection and clinical experience.

Whether you’re a first responder, a parent, a couple rebuilding trust, or someone simply longing to feel more whole — you are welcome here.

Healing isn’t about fixing yourself.

It’s about coming home to the parts of you that have always wanted peace.

Ready to begin?

If you’d like to learn how IFS can support your healing and growth, I’d love to walk with you.

Book a Consultation

And start building a more connected relationship with yourself — one gentle step at a time.
Call Now