Internal Family Systems

We will work together to identify parts of self that may need some healing or attention. These parts may have developed from past trauma or distress. IFS is a great way to learn how to treat the Self with more compassion.

After extensive studying, IFS has become an essential aspect of my practice and approach as a therapist. I believe that to become comfortable and confident in ourselves, we have to understand and befriend the different parts that compose our identities.

I am in the process of receiving training and certification in Internal Family Systems therapy.

I am an Internal Family Systems informed therapist and utilize this approach in conjunction with EMDR with folks struggling with trauma, low self image, or any internal conflict that they are facing.

I am a Level1 Internal Family Systems therapist and will be completing my Level 2 training in January of 2025. I have found IFS to be the most gentle and effective method of therapy. The healing clients have experienced when we have worked using this framework is both lasting and observable by clients loved ones.

I utilize IFS to help my clients explore their inner world of different parts, each with unique thoughts and feelings. By facilitating communication and understanding among these parts, clients can heal internal conflicts and achieve greater harmony within themselves. IFS promotes self-discovery, self-compassion, and emotional healing, leading to personal growth and improved mental well-being.

When families recognize their inner values and desires, then they can start to make decisions about how they would like to exist in the world.

IFS is an approach that work to identify all the different parts of ourselves. IFS focuses on healing wounded parts and restoring mental balance by changing the dynamics between the various parts. The ultimate goal of IFS is to regain control of our true inner voice and find clarity that was once distorted by the wounded parts of ourselves.

Because I believe in therapy that is non-shaming and understands that being a human is complex, my approach is also inspired by Internal Family Systems (IFS) developed by Richard Schwartz, Ph.D. IFS is based on the idea that the mind is a complex system that has many different parts. All of these parts play distinct roles for us, have their own perspectives, and which are ultimately aimed at protecting your pure, authentic self. Understanding ourselves in this way can be deeply transformative.

The IFS model is a form of psychotherapy developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz. It posits that the mind is naturally subdivided into a number of subpersonalities or "parts," each with its own unique perspective and qualities. These parts often take on extreme roles to protect the individual from emotional pain. The goal of IFS is to help clients access their "Self"—a core state of compassion, curiosity, and calmness—and to foster healing by harmonizing the relationships among the various parts.

I utilize several "parts work" modalities, including IFS, Ego State Therapy, and Structural Dissociation Theory.

Honoring the different aspects of our own self, especially when some our in conflict is the basis of new positive changes. Utilizing the different parts of ourself with tenderness and respect, causes healing. Exploring different aspects of ourselves, opens new doors to peace and ease where once there was tension and discomfort. PTSD, self-defeating habits. depression and anxiety can be cleared up. New life experiences can be generated.

IFS identifies and works with the sub-personalities or “families” that exist in each person’s psyche. These sub-personalities — for example, the Inner Critic — represent the places within us that are wounded and store painful emotions that conflict with each other and our core, or divine, essence. I received over a year of individual supervision and consultation to guide my growth and ability to use IFS well.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps clients move through difficult times by becoming familiar with all "parts" of ourselves. Have you ever felt like, "part of me wants to do this thing, but another part of me doesn't want to?" If so, then you were experiencing an internal conflict between your parts. IFS helps us get to know our parts and the roles they play in keeping our internal system balanced.

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.

We all have a deep need to feel safe, loved, and belong. If you've ever felt like parts of you are in conflict, IFS supports the various "parts" of you, such as your inner child, inner teenager, inner adult, and inner critic to feel seen, understood, accepted, and integrated so that you can feel aligned, clear, and empowered in your choices. I utilize a somatic approach to IFS, following the body's felt sense to connect with, welcome, and integrate all parts of you into wholeness and thriving.

We are made up of many parts that guide us, protect us, and walk along side us throughout our lives and relationships. Sometimes, these parts are loud while other important parts remain hidden, yet to be given an invitation to come out of the shadows and join us in our life journey. By engaging in inner child work, exploration of our parts, and promoting the Self, we can come closer to who we are, what we need, and how we access belonging in the intricacies of our internal and external world.

I primarily work from an Internal Family Systems orientation. I am level 1 trained in IFS through the IFS Institute. IFS is an evidence-based practice that can be used for pretty much any type of issue, but it is especially useful for working through trauma. Using IFS, I can guide the process but my clients really lead us in whichever direction they need. IFS explains people in terms of "parts" rather than being single-minded, which tracks for people with religious trauma and eating disorders.