What is IFS?

IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapy is a type of psychotherapy that views every person’s mind as a system of distinct "parts" or subpersonalities, with a core "Self" that is inherently healthy and wise. IFS attends to relationships between “parts” of ourselves — like the part of you that’s excited for therapy and the part of you that’s nervous — that, when unresolved, can sabotage your efforts toward healing.

Instead of trying to eliminate unwanted parts, IFS therapists help the more vulnerable parts heal, and support the client in releasing extreme emotions and behaviors. This is achieved by bringing the core "Self" into a leadership position, allowing for a more cooperative and balanced internal system.

What is IFS Level 1 Training?

IFS Level 1 Training immerses practitioners in the world of Internal Family Systems (IFS) in a deep, personal way and is the gateway to truly understanding and embodying the IFS model.  Over ~90 hours of intensive training, practitioners are guided by a deeply experienced IFS trainers through theoretical and experiential learning. Practitioners learn IFS in both therapist and client roles, providing the opportunity to hone comprehensive skills in a deeply responsive environment.

I am a graduate of the IFS Institute’s first ever all-LGBTQ and People of the Global Majority IFS Level 1 Training!

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

As of January 2026 I have begun training in Intimacy From the Inside Out (IFIO), IFS for Couples.

IFIO applies IFS principles to couple’s work with the following goals and objectives:

✧ Safety and Connection: Help couples move away from rigid, negative cycles of conflict toward a safe, collaborative environment.

✧ Mutual Understanding: Bridge the gap between the two goals couples often feel are mutually exclusive: feeling loved and feeling understood.

✧ Repair and Forgiveness: Provide tools for making meaningful repairs after relationship ruptures.

If you’ve ever heard of (or wondered about) “attachment styles”, they are what Attachment-Based Therapy (ABT) centers around. Challenges in our relationships, especially in early life, can lead to patterns of insecurity, isolation, and adult relationship difficulties. ABT works with how we form emotional bonds, helping move our attachment style from anxious, avoidant, or disorganized to secure.

Family systems therapy focuses on the family/relationship as a whole unit, where individual behavior is considered within the context of the entire network. Family Systems work, which often focuses on attachment, prioritizes helping all people in the group feel more empowered and satisfied within their relationships.

Somatic therapy places importance on what we experience in both body and mind. By exploring the connection between the two, we can learn deeply powerful (but often hidden) truths about your strengths, worries, and needs. With me, “body focused” means being guided verbally in listening to and noticing the sensations present within your own body, not being touched during therapy. My favorite modalities are Somatic Experiencing and Polyvagal.

Solution-focused therapy (SFT or SFBT) is a future-oriented approach that focuses on building solutions rather than delving into problems. It operates from the assumption that people have the existing strengths, resources, and knowledge to create their own solutions, but may need help finding them. Therapists help clients define their desired future, identify what is already working, and create a practical plan to achieve their goals.

I usually use SFT in combination with other therapies to help clients accomplish specific goals, but it can also be used alone.

Narrative therapy is a collaborative psychotherapy that views people as separate from their problems, helping you rewrite you life stories to find strength and new perspectives. It is based on the idea that a person's identity is shaped by the stories we tell about our lives, and it works by helping you externalize problems (i.e. not blame/shame yourself), identify your values and strengths, and create more empowering narratives. This can help you clearly and confidently connect with your own skills, identity, and sense of purpose.

I have 16 hours of training in Expressive arts therapy and love to integrate drawing and creative writing into sessions! In my in-person office, I can provide you with supplies for either.