I first learned about Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy back in graduate school, and it instantly stood out. After being introduced to so many different approaches to therapy, this was the first one that really clicked for me. IFS made sense on both a professional and personal level. I was lucky to have a mentor who practiced IFS and encouraged me to explore it more deeply, and the more I learned, the more it felt like home.

I completed my IFS Level 1 training in 2023, which deepened my understanding of how powerful this model can be for people who spend much of their lives in leadership roles, managing others, or holding themselves to high standards. It helps make sense of the constant push and pull between parts that want to stay in control and parts that are exhausted from trying to do it all.

In my practice, I often blend IFS parts work with art therapy. You don’t have to be an artist to benefit from this. Sometimes using color, shape, or texture helps bring a part of you into focus when words don’t quite get there. It can make the process more tangible and easier to connect with, especially if you spend a lot of time in your head.