Internal Family Systems therapy encourages people to embrace all parts of themselves, even the difficult ones. Its goal is to help people achieve balance and harmony within themselves.
IFS states that people do not have “bad” parts. Instead, they experience difficulty embracing all aspects as simultaneously affecting one another. IFS seeks to name and understand these parts and ultimately balance the factors that work toward self-growth.
Life experiences can encourage the various parts of the self to become out of balance, forcing the system into a less-than-harmonious operating state. Your IFS counselor will help you recognize these parts of yourself, inquire as to why you think they might be off-balance, and then assist you in balancing them.
People with a wide range of mental health concerns can benefit from IFS, but it is particularly effective for those who have dealt with traumatic experiences.
How can I stay calm with so much uncertainty all around me? Actually, everyone will respond differently to troubling times. You get to decide who you want to be in this situation, and what you want to bring to it. It's completely natural to feel fear and stress. Let's give a voice to that, and learn some tools for stress reduction and possibly gain some deeper insights about your Self. Whenever...
Experienced clinician working with children, adolescents and adults for over 13 years. Clients request help with a variety of issues including mood, anxiety and anger symptoms as well as interpersonal challenges. A typical adult client is feeling lethargic and/or tense and wants relief from these symptoms. Many times interpersonal conflict is the source of distress and treatment is focused on...
Do you find that you regularly battle with your body and brain? Second guessing what to say, ashamed of your body, and judgmental of your thoughts? Do you utilize food to avoid emotionally or to force your body into a different look? Is trauma impacting your relationships? You are not alone. Health is not a static place to achieve that defines who you are as a person, rather it is a continuum w...
While trusting and connecting with those close to us is something that tends to bring joy, vibrancy, and sense of belonging, the complexity inherent in important and intimate relationships can often leave us feeling thrown off course, irritated and unsure. In trying our best to "get back" what was once there - unspoken compromises become the nature of discourse that all too often leave us feeli...
You've finally decided: you're tired of repeating the patterns that leave you feeling stuck, frustrated and disconnected. Sure, you've done well for yourself in a lot of ways. But then something happened that shook it all up. Maybe it was having a kid. Maybe it was a divorce - or a second divorce. Or maybe you just woke up one day with the realization that you're not showing up as who you want ...
I offer therapy for individuals, couples, and multi-partner relationships in the Bay Area from a feminist, sex-positive lens. As a social justice advocate and founding Co-chair of the American Psychological Association's Consensual Non-monogamy Taskforce, I have considerable experience supporting the non-monogamous, kink/BSDM, TGNC/NB, and LGBQIA communities. I also offer support for individual...
After more than a decade of working with children and adolescents as a teachers assistant in nursery schools' and as a camp counselor and group leader, I obtained my Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University. In my post graduate practice I learned to utilize my experiences with children and adolescents to build skills that enabled me to help them and their...
ATTENTION YOUNG ADULT WOMEN: You’re really hard on yourself and work hard to make people like you. You desperately want to feel satisfied in your relationships, and you want to have confidence at work or school. You feel alone, but find it hard to open up and trust others. You’ve had experiences in life that still haunt you, like a bad childhood, a horrible break up, or a sexual assault. You tr...
I work with those suffering from relational distress whether familial or romantic. Anxiety and depression are common subjects in my practice. Teaching clients and students how to navigate their lives in a more satisfying manner is key to well being. I help my clients understand why they do what they do and how to undo what does not work for them personally and professionally. They learn how to...
Hi everyone! My name is Lauren Wallace and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. I specialize in working with children who struggle with anxiety and divorce recovery. Graduating from North Georgia College & State University (now University of North Georgia) with my undergraduate degree in Sociology, I loved the school and Dahlonega so much that I attai...
( English | Italiano ) I have worked with trauma and injustice for over 10 years, and this work has repeatedly shown me that connection is the key to unlock healing and move forward in unexpected directions. I strive to provide a therapeutic space where clients can experience something radically different and feel safe to practice new and courageous ways of relating to themselves and to others....
One of the hardest parts of the therapeutic process is choosing the right therapist for you, and I hope to join you on your journey towards greater self-understanding, compassion, and insight. Many people come to therapy after experiencing emotional distress that has led them to feel overwhelmed and as though they have lost direction in, and control of, their life. In a safe and non-judgmental...
I have over twenty years of experience working with individuals and families struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and relationship difficulties. I believe that the power of listening is even more important these days and that the best therapy is a true collaboration. We'll take the time you need to feel understood and develop a plan. You may know what you need or have vague...
Do you worry that you're too sensitive? You may be thinking: "I need to toughen up, I wish I could turn my feelings down a notch, Why can't I just get over it?, Why does it seem like I struggle more than others?, I feel so overwhelmed, or there must be something wrong with me." If you feel any of these ways, I want you to know that you're not alone, and you're not broken. In therapy, you’ll...
I work with young and middle aged adults who are experiencing anxiety, dread, self-criticism, or are feeling lost or stuck in life with difficulty making decisions. Together we will explore what your suffering/unease is pointing to, and discover what may be trying to surface in your life in order to bring more well-being and increased feelings of inner sturdiness, compassion, and equanimity....
