What is Internal Family Systems Therapy?

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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.

Therapists Who Specialize in IFS Therapy

Tonia Levison

Saint Louis

Missouri

I would like to take a moment and commend you on taking the first step toward mental health. It takes a lot of courage to get this far and you are doing great. I am glad you have chosen to share some of your time with me and I look forward to getting to know you. My mission is to support moms in their daily struggles. When we meet, I will invite you to sit and get comfortable. Until then I hope...
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I enjoy working with clients who are looking to explore and who are looking for someone to walk with them in their journey. Trauma and other life experiences can be overwhelming to handle on your own. These experiences can also feel lonely. It is important to me to support my clients in their therapeutic journey and to let them know they are not alone. I look to support clients who have...
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I work with issues ranging from anxiety, depression, relationship and communication issues, trauma and attachment-related issues, divorce and other challenges, as well as with people suffering from acute mental illness. I have experience working with children, young adults and children and adults with developmental challenges. I would enjoy working with couples and families as well. Currently I...
*Currently Not Accepting New Clients (please check back later). Are you longing for relief from stress, anxiety, and emotions following hardships? I help anxious and overwhelmed people feel relief, contentment, and make lasting changes in their lives and relationships. People I work with have often done their best to manage difficult cycles of emotions that they feel inside, and experience in...

Chris A Hill

Minneapolis

Minnesota

I have a genuine love for helping my client discover and make the changes they would like or need to make. As a therapist I am open and honest with my clients and work with humility to establish trust. I feel confident helping my clients work through various issues that come up. Individuals, relationships, as a parent or work related, I have worked with teens and adults. Currently I specialize ...
Therapy is the process of coming to live as our best selves. This involves a complex dance of change and acceptance. It's this process that I so appreciate navigating together with my clients. Some people reach out to a therapist because of challenging life-adjustment situations. Others are pushed into therapy by family, friends, or employers when they are in highly distressing situations. Eith...
Do you feel stuck, either physically or emotionally? I will help you make positive changes in your life and navigate through life's obstacles. We will work collaboratively to help determine your treatment goals, in order to enhance your life. My treatment approaches include CBT, DBT, mindfulness and strength-based therapy. I am here to support you to promote healing and growth. It can be...
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Samantha Elkrief

New York

New York

Samantha is an action-oriented, experientially focused supportive psychotherapist. She has trained in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Internal Family Systems, Non-Violent Communication and incorporates various mind-body practices into her clinical work. Samantha is also a health coach and chef, and has training in Nutritional Psychiatry (how food impacts...

Heather Alesch

Nashville

Tennessee

Hello- Thank you for taking the time to learn about me. I love working with adolescents, adults, and families to build resilience and restore a sense of inner peace. I am happy to join you as you navigate bumps along your journey and aide you in reaching optimal wellness. I especially enjoy working with those who identify as LGBTQ+. Positivity, laughter, music, and creativity are essential...
I approach clients with a collaborative, strengths-based focus and direct style informed by my training and experience working with individuals and families in the field of mental health for over 20 years. I help people identify stuck patterns and appreciate areas of personal resilience. We will work together to find insight, new learning and successful strategies to help you move in your desir...
As a psychotherapist, marital and family therapist practicing for almost 40 years, my goal is to work with individuals, couples or families, no matter how challenging the issues. Many people come seeking help for the first time, while others have been unsuccessful in other therapies, often for long periods of time. Some are very clear about what they want help with and some are ambivalent and n...