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Internal Family Systems Therapist in Phoenix, AZ

Do you ever feel like one part of you longs for change, while another part feels scared or weighed down by the past?

Working with an Internal Family Systems therapist helps you understand these parts, discover where they came from, and begin the process of healing. Instead of pushing pieces of yourself away, Internal Family Systems therapy helps you care for them.

Let’s hop on a quick 15-minute call to talk about your goals, answer your questions, and see if working together feels right.

 

What It Feels Like When Inner Parts Carry Too Much

Internal Family Systems therapy, often called IFS, is an evidence-based approach to psychotherapy that helps you understand and heal the different “parts” of yourself. The IFS model, developed through the IFS Institute, recognizes that the mind is naturally made up of multiple sub-personalities, almost like members of a family, each with its own perspective, feelings, and role.

If these struggles feel familiar:

  • Feeling like different parts of you are constantly in conflict, pulling you in opposite directions

  • Carrying old wounds, exiled parts, or painful memories that still affect your present life

  • Struggling with harsh self-criticism or an inner voice that never seems to let you rest

  • Finding it difficult to trust yourself or feel confident in relationships

  • Wanting to break generational cycles and parent with more self-compassion than you received

IFS counseling in Phoenix, AZ, can help.

IFS therapy can be especially helpful if you often feel torn inside, like you’re caught in an ongoing internal conflict between different voices, needs, or emotions. These internal dynamics can leave you exhausted, unsure of yourself, or unable to fully enjoy the life you’ve built. As experienced IFS therapists, we can guide you in gently exploring these parts, using this transformative therapy to understand and heal the wounded parts and restore balance.

 

Our Approach To Ifs Therapy:

We use the internal family systems model as a guide to help you gently understand and heal your inner world. We believe that your internal system is made up of many parts, each carrying its own perspective and story. In our sessions, we’ll help you connect with the different parts of yourself - the protective parts that may take on extreme roles, the firefighters that step in during stress, and the vulnerable inner child parts still holding onto wounds. Together, we’ll focus on inner child healing, re-parenting, and breaking generational cycles so those burdens no longer weigh you down.

How Working with an IFS Therapist Can Help

We know how easy it is to look like you have it all together, while inside you’re still carrying hurts that haven’t healed. IFS invites you to lead from your core Self, the calm, compassionate center within you, so that healing wounds becomes possible and self-leadership can guide your life in a new way.

When you work with an IFS-certified therapist, the process is not about fixing what’s “wrong," it’s about creating a compassionate relationship with your inner world. By truly understanding and embodying the IFS model, you can:

  • Develop greater compassion for yourself and your story

  • Heal unresolved pain that fuels anxiety, shame, or self-doubt

  • Release burdens that no longer serve you

  • Build self-trust and confidence

  • Feel more balanced, whole, and connected in your relationships

We’ve seen how powerful this therapy model can be for people navigating everything from anxiety to depressive symptoms, and even for those carrying chronic stressors or co-occurring conditions. We can help you understand the different parts of yourself in a way that brings lasting relief. Together, we can move toward internal harmony, self-leadership, and a deeper trust in yourself.

Every part of you matters.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU ALIGN.

FAQS

Common questions about working with an internal family systems therapist in Phoenix, AZ

  • IFS therapy is an evidence-based approach to talk therapy that helps you understand and heal the different internal parts of yourself.

    The internal family systems model believes the mind is made up of multiple subpersonalities, some protective parts, some vulnerable parts, each with its own perspective.

    Using Internal Family Systems, we work with these protective and wounded inner parts so they can release old burdens and allow your core Self to bring healing and balance.

  • Our role isn’t to fix you, but to help you gently understand the different parts of your internal system.

    We’ll support you in getting to know your protective parts and vulnerable parts with compassion, so they no longer need to take on extreme roles.

    The internal family systems approach is about creating internal harmony and helping you step into more self-leadership.

  • There’s no set timeline; IFS therapy looks different for each person. Some clients notice changes after just a few sessions, while others choose to go deeper over time. 

    Because this therapy model addresses multiple subpersonalities and long-held wounds, we move at your pace, focusing on lasting change, not quick fixes.

  • You’ll know it’s working when you feel more compassion for yourself, less self-criticism, and more balance in your daily life.

    Protective parts often feel calmer, and vulnerable parts begin to feel safer.

    Over time, many people describe feeling more grounded, whole, and connected, clear signs that the IFS model is helping.

  • Session fees vary based on your clinician. Carli’s fee is $175. Elaine’s fee is $250.

    We will meet weekly for the first month and then decide if we want to continue meeting weekly or shift to every other week, if clinically appropriate.

    Payment can be made via cash, check, or card (including HSA). 

    While I do not accept insurance, I can provide a superbill (receipt), which you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement if you’d like.