Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy in New York

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is a compassionate approach that helps you understand the different “parts” of yourself—such as the inner critic, people-pleasing part, anxious part, or the part that shuts down under stress.

Rather than trying to eliminate these patterns, IFS helps you relate to them with curiosity and compassion. These parts often developed to help you cope with earlier experiences and protect you from overwhelm or emotional pain.

As these parts begin to feel understood rather than judged, people often experience a noticeable shift in how they relate to themselves. Many clients report feeling some relief, increased clarity, or a greater sense of internal space within the first 1-3 sessions.

IFS therapy can help with:

  • Anxiety and chronic overthinking

  • People-pleasing and difficulty setting boundaries

  • Self-criticism and low self-worth

  • Perfectionism and internal pressure

  • Relationship patterns and attachment wounds

  • Feeling disconnected from your needs or identity

I integrate IFS with a psychodynamic, attachment-focused approach to support deeper insight and lasting change.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • IFS therapy is a therapeutic model developed by Richard Schwartz that views the mind as made up of different “parts,” each with its own role, emotions, and protective function.

  • Parts are aspects of ourselves that developed to help us navigate life's challenges. Common examples include the inner critic, people-pleaser, perfectionist, caretaker, or anxious part.

  • No. While IFS is often used in trauma treatment, it can also help anyone who feels stuck in recurring patterns, struggles with self-criticism, or wants to better understand themselves.

  • I have completed Level 1 training in Internal Family Systems through the IFS Institute, which includes structured training, experiential practice, and clinical application. This is different from learning about IFS informally, and provides a strong foundation for integrating the model in therapy.

  • Many people begin to feel subtle shifts—such as more internal space, less reactivity, or increased self-understanding—within the first 1–2 sessions. Deeper, lasting change develops over time as different parts of you begin to feel understood and supported.