Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a gentle, insightful approach that helps you understand the different “parts” of your internal world, the emotions, protective strategies, and reactions that shape how you think, feel, and respond. These parts often developed to help you cope, even when their strategies no longer feel helpful.
​
IFS creates space to explore these internal dynamics with compassion, clarity, and curiosity, allowing room for healing and greater emotional steadiness.
​
Sessions are available in person in Saanich and online across British Columbia.
​
What IFS Can Help With
​
IFS can be supportive if you’re navigating:
​
• Anxiety, overwhelm, or emotional reactivity
• Burnout, perfectionism, or people-pleasing
• Self-criticism or internal conflict
• Family or relationship stress
• Trauma or painful past experiences
• Decision-making challenges or feeling “stuck”
• Patterns of avoidance or shutdown
​
IFS gives language to experiences that often feel confusing or contradictory.
​
Understanding Your Internal System
​
IFS views the mind as a system of parts, each serving an important role:
Protective parts
These parts work to keep you safe — often through control, worry, self-criticism, or avoiding painful experiences.
​
Reactive or overwhelmed parts
These parts may carry strong emotions such as fear, sadness, anger, or shame.
Core Self
IFS teaches that beneath all these parts is a grounded, compassionate Self, the part of you capable of clarity, calm, and leadership within your internal system.
All parts are welcome, and all have a purpose. Therapy helps you understand these roles and respond to them with care rather than judgment.
What IFS Looks Like in Counselling
IFS is collaborative and paced gently. Sessions may involve:
​
• Noticing internal reactions or conflicting feelings
• Exploring what different parts are trying to protect
• Building trust and understanding between parts
• Reducing self-blame and internal pressure
• Creating space for grounded decision-making
• Supporting healing for parts that carry emotional pain
There is no pressure to revisit traumatic memories. The work focuses on connection, understanding, and creating safety within your internal world.
Why People Find IFS Helpful
Many clients appreciate IFS because it:
​
• Reduces internal conflict and harsh self-criticism
• Brings clarity to emotional patterns
• Creates space for self-compassion
• Helps make sense of reactions that feel disproportionate or confusing
• Supports healing at a pace that feels safe and steady
• Encourages a more grounded relationship with difficult emotions
IFS offers a structured yet deeply respectful way of understanding yourself.
A Compassionate, Insightful Approach
IFS meets you where you are. You won’t be asked to override your reactions or force change. Instead, therapy focuses on understanding internal patterns and creating more space for your Core Self to lead with clarity, steadiness, and care.
​
If you’d like to explore whether IFS feels like a good fit, you’re welcome to book a complimentary consultation or schedule a session.