Approach: IFS
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is based on the idea that everyone has different parts, and that it's normal for those parts to want different things. Even the parts that cause you trouble are usually trying to protect you in some way. We offer IFS-informed therapy at our offices in Coral Gables, Coconut Grove and Manhattan. If you're located in Florida or New York, you can also meet online.
Parts Work
Arguing with an inner critic usually makes it harsher. Getting to know it as a protector with its own history tends to calm things down. That's why we often use IFS when working on self-esteem, perfectionism and eating disorders.
When protective parts are guarding trauma, we move slowly and only go further when those parts are ready. We won't push painful memories open to keep to a schedule, and you stay in control of the pace.
More About Parts Work
A parts conversation often starts with something ordinary, such as part of you wanting to leave your job while another part is terrified to. We get curious about each one: what it's worried about, how long it has been doing this and what it would need before it could ease off.
IFS-informed therapy combines well with CBT and DBT skills, and with somatic attention to where you feel a part in your body.
You don't need to learn any special vocabulary. Describing your parts in your own everyday words works fine.
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