Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy in Lakewood, Colorado
Understand the child inside you and offer her compassion.
There’s nothing wrong with you. There are just parts of you that need some care.
IFS therapy helps you understand what’s going on when you feel pulled in different directions. The part of you that wants to get things done. The part that’s exhausted. The part that’s scared. And the part that’s always been trying to keep you safe—even if it hasn’t worked the way you hoped.
IFS gives those parts space to speak and helps you find a steadier, kinder, more centered version of yourself underneath it all.
You’re not too much. You’re not broken. And you’re not alone.
IFS might be a good fit if you:
Are constantly criticizing yourself, even when you know it’s not helping
Feel like your emotions have a mind of their own and they show up at the worst times
Are tired of holding it all together, but afraid of what might happen if you let go
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Childhood trauma
Anxiety, overwhelm, or burnout
Perfectionism, people-pleasing, or inner criticism
Life transitions and identity shifts
Motherhood and intergenerational healing
ADHD and the inner chaos that can come with it
What is Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy?
Imagine you’re made up of many parts inside, like a team. Some parts try to keep you safe. Some carry sadness, fear, or anger. Some just want to be left alone.
IFS helps you listen to those parts—not to fix or get rid of them, but to understand what they need. When you can hear them without judging them, things can start to shift. You stop fighting yourself. You feel more calm, more whole. And those protective parts start to relax.
There’s also a deeper “you” underneath all those parts. This is called “Self Energy”. This is a steady, caring presence. IFS helps you get back to that place inside. That’s where the real healing happens.
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When you build relationships with your parts, they don’t have to work so hard. The anxious part doesn’t have to shout. The tired part doesn’t have to shut down. You get space to breathe. You get choices. You get to lead from your calm center—not from panic or pain.
It’s not about becoming a new person. It’s about remembering who you were before life got hard. It’s about tending to the parts of you that were left to figure it out alone.
And it’s about giving them what they never had: your presence, your patience, your love.
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We’ll start by slowing down and noticing who’s showing up. Is it your protector? Your fixer? Your overwhelmed part?
You’ll learn how to tune in to those parts in a new way—not with judgment, but with curiosity. Some sessions will be challenging. Others will be filled with ease. Either way, we go at your pace. You’re not performing or explaining. You’re just noticing—and letting yourself be known.
IFS therapy can help you to…
Stop beating yourself up for reacting “too much”—and start understanding why it happens
Soothe the part of you that’s always bracing for something bad
Stop people-pleasing or overachieving just to feel safe or worthy
Hear from the younger part of you that still feels scared, and help her feel less alone
You don’t have to fight yourself anymore.
Book a free consult
Book a free consult
Frequently Asked Questions about IFS
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"Parts" are like the different thoughts, feelings, or reactions inside you. Some parts might be anxious, others really tired or angry. You might have a perfectionist part, a people-pleaser, or a part that just wants to hide.
If you’ve seen Inside Out, you’ve already met the idea. Those colorful characters represent inner parts that show up to help the main character.IFS helps you get to know your own parts, understand what they need, and respond with more care instead of feeling overwhelmed.
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The goal is to help your parts feel seen, safe, and supported. When that happens, you feel more connected to your calm, clear self. And life gets a little less tangled.
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No. IFS is gentle. We don’t force anything. You don’t have to retell your story unless it feels helpful. We work with what’s happening inside you right now—because that’s where your healing lives.
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Absolutely. I often use IFS-informed EMDR, especially in intensives. The two work beautifully together and can support healing on multiple levels.
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Yes. Several public figures have shared how Internal Family Systems (IFS) has helped them heal and grow.
-Alanis Morissette wrote the foreword to No Bad Parts by Dr. Richard Schwartz, sharing how IFS helped her connect with herself and find compassion. Her endorsement brought wide attention to IFS.
-Glennon Doyle has discussed using IFS in her healing on her podcast We Can Do Hard Things, including a live session with Schwartz demonstrating how IFS helps care for our painful parts. -
Here is a link to several videos produced by the Internal Family Systems Institute that explain more about IFS: Introduction to IFS
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Yes. Internal Family Systems (IFS) is supported by growing research and has been recognized as an evidence-based practice.
Here are a few key studies and resources:
Pilot Study on PTSD and Depression A pilot study explored the effectiveness of IFS therapy for treating PTSD and related symptoms like depression and dissociation in adults with childhood trauma.
IFS for Depression Among Female College Students A pilot study examined IFS therapy’s potential to treat depression in female college students.
Recognition as Evidence-Based Practice In 2015, the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) recognized IFS therapy as an effective evidence-based modality.