Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy
Understanding and Healing Your Inner World
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is a compassionate, evidence-based approach that helps you understand the different parts of yourself and the roles they play in your emotional life.
IFS can be used as a standalone therapy or alongside EMDR and other trauma-informed approaches. Sessions are available in person in Wiltshire and online across the UK.
How IFS Therapy Can Help
IFS maybe helpful to you if you:
- Feel caught between different emotional reactions
- Struggle with self-criticism or shame
- Notice patterns repeating in relationships
- Experience anxiety that feels hard to manage
- Feel disconnected from yourself or others
Rather than trying to “fix” these reactions, IFS helps you understand them. By building a compassionate relationship with your inner world, you can reduce internal conflict and feel more steady and in control.
What Working With IFS Looks Like
A Safe and Steady Pace
Sessions move at a pace that feels manageable for you. We focus first on building internal safety and understanding before exploring anything that feels vulnerable or overwhelming.
Curiosity Instead of Judgement
You don’t need to have the right words or perfect insight. We approach each part of you with curiosity and respect, even the parts that feel confusing or difficult.
Collaborative and Empowering
Therapy is not something done to you. We work together to understand your internal system, and you remain in control of the direction and pace throughout.
IFS and Trauma
IFS is often used alongside EMDR in trauma-focused therapy.
Before processing traumatic memories, IFS can help build internal stability and strengthen compassionate leadership within your system. Protective parts are understood rather than pushed aside, which often reduces shame and internal struggle.
This trauma-informed approach allows healing to unfold safely and gradually.
Online and Face-to-Face Therapy
I offer in person IFS Therapy in Wiltshire two days per week, alongside online sessions for adolescents and adults across the UK.
I also offer online EMDR therapy is delivered in accordance with professional guidelines and can be highly effective for trauma recovery.
Understanding the Different Parts Within You
Internal Family Systems recognises that we all have different “parts” within us. Each part developed to help you cope at some point in your life.
Below are three common types of parts you may begin to notice in therapy.
Managers
Managers are protective parts that try to keep life organised and under control. These feelings may show up as perfectionism, overthinking, people-pleasing or constant planning. Their role is to prevent emotional pain by staying one step ahead of any perceived danger. Although they can feel exhausting, their intention is usually to protect you.
Exiles
Exiles are the more vulnerable parts that carry pain, shame, fear or difficult memories. Because these feelings can feel overwhelming, they’re often pushed out of awareness. When triggered, you may notice strong emotional reactions that seem disproportionate or confusing. In therapy, these parts are approached gently and with care.
Firefighter
Firefighters step in when emotional pain feels too intense. They react quickly to “put out the fire,” sometimes through avoidance, numbing, anger or impulsive behaviours. Their aim is immediate relief, even if the strategy creates longer-term difficulty. Like all parts in IFS, they are trying to help in the only way they know how.
The Self – Your Calm Centre
At the heart of IFS is the understanding that you are not your parts.
Beneath them is your core Self – naturally calm, compassionate and steady. As therapy progresses, you learn to lead your internal system from this place of clarity and confidence.
When this happens, internal conflict softens and emotional balance becomes easier to maintain.
Explore Internal Family Systems Therapy
If you would like to understand your inner world more clearly and work towards lasting emotional balance, you are welcome to arrange a free initial consultation..