Internal Family Systems (IFS) & Parts Work

I offer Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy in Ann Arbor, MI and Boston, MA as well as IFS-informed coaching nationwide and internationally for those seeking depth-oriented, growth-focused work.

IFS offers a clear and deeply compassionate way of understanding the inner world. It  is based on the idea that the mind is naturally made up of different “parts,” distinct aspects of yourself, each with its own voice, emotion, narrative, and role.

Some parts are protective, working to manage risk or prevent suffering.
Some carry the imprint of earlier experiences.
Others hold qualities like creativity, clarity, empowerment and connection.

Rather than trying to eliminate or override these parts, IFS helps you build a relationship with them, so that they can be understood, supported, and integrated.

At the center of this system is what IFS calls the Self- a steady, grounded, and compassionate core that is capable of leading with clarity and care. As access to Self deepens, what once felt confusing or in conflict becomes more organized and coherent, and able to be worked with and integrated.

What This Work Can Support

IFS can be especially helpful if you experience:

  • Trauma/PTSD
  • Inner conflict or feeling “torn” between different impulses
  • Anxiety, overwhelm, or chronic stress
  • Self-criticism or harsh inner dialogue
  • Patterns that repeat despite insight or intention
  • Emotional reactivity in relationships
  • A sense of disconnection from yourself or others

At a deeper level, this work allows you to:

  • Build a more compassionate relationship with yourself
  • Understand the protective roles your parts have taken on
  • Gently process underlying emotional experiences
  • Access greater clarity, steadiness, and self-leadership

As this unfolds, many people experience a shift from internal struggle to internal coherence, a sense that the different parts of you are no longer competing but beginning to work together.

An Integrative Approach

While IFS offers a powerful framework on its own, I integrate it with:

  • Somatic therapy, including Body-Up co-regulation
  • Brainspotting for deeper, subcortical processing
  • Wheel of Consent intimacy work
  • Imago relational work
  • Creative and voice-based practices, when appropriate

This allows for work that is both precise and deeply integrative, supporting change on emotional, cognitive, relational, and embodied levels.

Get Started

If you feel drawn to this work, I invite you to reach out.

👉 Request a Consultation