Internal Family Systems is a therapeutic healing process that is based upon the premise that the human psyche is composed of many different personalities, voices, and aspects (which we may call “parts”) — each with its own viewpoints, needs, fears, and desires.

Most of us find it easy to understand this simple concept, as we often say things like, “One part of me wants to stay in this job forever, but another part of me wants to quit tomorrow.” Or we might say, “Part of me loves my spouse, but another part of me wishes I had never gotten married.”

As we all know from personal experience, our parts can often be in conflict with one another, and sometimes this conflict can escalate into full-out war. Some of our parts become pariahs and troublemakers, while other become rescuers and guardians. And some of our parts are so painful for us to experience that they become exiles — hidden away beneath layers of denial, avoidance, and shame.

The goal of IFS is to help to create a cooperative, loving, and trustworthy relationship between these parts — and to bring them all into harmony under the leadership of a wise Self. Another way to describe IFS is that it’s family therapy for the self — using the same tools of family therapy (respectful listening, empathy, honesty, acceptance, and non-violent communication) to bring one human being into peaceful integration within their own unique system.

Ancient wisdom and modern science agree that vast amounts of emotional suffering and old trauma can be stored in the human body — often metastasizing over time into chronic physical pain, embodied anxiety, and autoimmune diseases.

With Somatic IFS, we take the practice of emotional recovery beyond the realm of the mind and into the kingdom of the body, learning how to free our tissues and nervous systems from the thankless job of carrying all of our anguish for us.

Somatic IFS is a therapeutic modality that blends principles of somatic therapy--like movement, touch, and breathwork--with the traditional tools of the Internal Family Systems framework.

Broadening the benefits and applications of the IFS model are 5 core practices: somatic awareness, conscious breathing, radical resonance, mindful movement, and attuned touch.

First of all, here is what they have in common: Traditional psychotherapy, coaching, and IFS are all one-on-one healing modalities, in which a licensed or certified professional helps a patient or client to live a better life — free of mental anguish and emotional limitations. Many people make use of therapists, coaches, and IFS practitioners — or toggle back and forth between them over the course of their life, depending upon their needs.

There are as many different ways to provide therapy, coaching, and IFS support as there are practitioners working in these broad and various fields. But we might generally say that therapists take on the most troubling and deep-rooted issues of the psyche, that coaches are here to transform a pretty-good life into a great life, and that IFS practitioners are here to teach you the art of emotional self-leadership — or how to ultimately take care of all your different parts, under the calm guidance of Self.

It is also worth noting that therapists can only work in states in which they are licensed, generally limit their sessions to 50 minutes, and are required to swiftly diagnose you with a pathology. As an IFS practitioner and Somatic coach, I can work with clients anywhere across the country and world, can create sessions as long or short as we may need, and — most important — I will never pathologize you.

IFS is based upon the premise and promise that there are no bad parts — only parts that need to be heard, respected, and better understood in order to heal themselves.

Our journey will begin with a 45-minute free consultation, in which I will give you the opportunity to share your story with me, to tell me more about what drew you to IFS, and to ask me any questions you may have about my process. If we decide to work together, our next step will be getting to know your parts by inviting them, over the course of our sessions, to come forward, to reveal themselves, to share their fears and hopes, and to find their voices.

Safety and trust are essential to this process. I will never move forward without your permission, nor will I ask your parts to do anything they are unready or unwilling to do. You will ultimately be the one finding your own pathways while I carry the lantern, so to speak — holding gentle space and sacred council with you, and creating an environment in which all your aspects are welcomed, respected, and supported.

Inevitably, we will discover that some of your parts have been carrying pain that was never meant to be theirs — “legacy burdens'' inherited from dysfunctional family systems or previous trauma. Together — and only when those parts are ready to let go — we will create rituals and ceremonies meant to unburden those parts from their suffering.

We will also work together to identify the aspects of you that are already potent, creative, and whole — and we will encourage those parts to step forward into stronger leadership roles. Throughout all of this, your own innate wisdom and intuition will be guiding you.

This is, indeed, soul work — and many people experience IFS sessions as being both deeply liberating and profoundly mystical. At some point, you will find that you have stepped into your own leadership role, that you have found your own inner guidance system.

We will craft a package that is right for you. My fee is $225 for 60 minutes and $335 for 90 minutes. Most of my clients choose to begin with a 3 month package of 6 x 90 minute sessions for $2000 (payment plan with credit card available). I offer a few sliding scale packages of 6 x 90 minute sessions for $1700 or $1350. Book a free 45-minute consultation to discuss what’s best for your needs and schedule.

I work with folks all over the world through Zoom or over the telephone. Depending upon location, I can be available for in-person sessions. We will find the best path for you.

No, I’m not a therapist; I’m an IFS Practitioner, Somatic Coach and Educator.