Therapeutic Approach

INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS (IFS)

Healing and wellness journey

About IFS

  • is an evidence-based and integrative approach to psychotherapy used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. IFS helps us understand our internal system and the parts of ourselves that are wounded, protective, vulnerable, and burdened by past trauma. IFS allows us to deepen our relationship with these parts by helping us understand, find compassion for, and integrate these parts to restore balance and harmony within our systems and be more self-led. 

  • IFS helps individuals identify and connect with different "parts" of the mind, such as the Protector, Critic, and Exile. These parts often develop in response to trauma or emotional pain. Through IFS, clients access their core Self, which offers wisdom and compassion to heal and integrate wounded parts. This process creates lasting change by addressing the root causes of inner conflicts and emotional distress.

  • IFS is beneficial for individuals facing emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, and those struggling with inner conflict. It’s particularly effective for individuals who feel disconnected from themselves or others. IFS is also useful for addiction recovery, as it helps uncover the emotional roots of unhealthy behaviors, fostering healthier coping strategies.

  • IFS helps individuals gain self-awareness, emotional balance, and self-compassion. It promotes healing from trauma, reduces anxiety and depression, and improves coping skills. By addressing internal conflicts and integrating parts of the self, IFS leads to lasting emotional well-being. It’s also effective for those in recovery from addiction or those seeking to improve emotional and relational dynamics.

Parts

Internal Family Systems Therapy in Kingston, Ontario
IFS therapy in Kingston, Ontario

IFS assumes that there are “no bad parts” in an individuals system, but rather parts that have been forced into extreme roles because of individual experiences + trauma.

Every individual is composed of multiple “parts” that play a specific role within the system.

The goal of the model is not to “eliminate” these parts, but rather to understand them, develop a more compassionate relationship with them, and help them heal in order to allow more access to self and create more balance & harmony within.

Internal Family Systems Model

IFS is an emerging framework that clinicians are incorporating into their practice.

While many therapists are advertising that they offer “IFS” as a therapeutic intervention/ modality, it is important to advise that training from the IFS Institute is the gold-standard & the only legitimate way to to use IFS in a clinical setting.

Only practitioners who have completed formal IFS training with the IFS Institute & received certification through the IFS Institute are ethically able to refer to themselves as an IFS therapist.

The Level 1 training through the IFS Institute is considered a core requirement to use the IFS Model in clinical settings and to be considered a legitimate IFS Practitioner.

IFS training through the IFS Institute is a competitive & rigorous training program that is designed to allow clinicians to competently practice and implement the model.

Therapists who have completed trainings outside of the IFS institute are able to refer to themselves as “IFS Informed” Therapists, who may wish to use the framework as a guide to their practice & incorporate IFS concepts into their practice.

Finding an IFS Therapist

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Our Trained IFS Therapist

Trained IFS Therapists have completed comprehensive training through the IFS Institute

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy in Kingston, Ontario
  • Brittnee has completed her level 1 training with the IFS Institute (2024) and has completed 90-hours of intensive training with the IFS Institute involving: lectures, group discussions, supervised practice & experientials.

    Brittnee is in the process of completing a Level 2 Training with the IFS Institute and actively engages in monthly IFS Consultation with a Certified IFS Practitioner and approved Consultant with the IFS Institute.

    Additionally, Brittnee has completed advanced (Step One and Step Two) trainings with the Syzygy Institute that focus on the integration of EMDR + IFS.

    Brittnee’s approach to therapy blends both IFS & EMDR approaches.

    She also specializes in psychedelic assisted therapy, offering psycholytic Ketamine Sessions, paired with IFS + EMDR.

    The powerful synergy of EMDR + IFS and low-dose Ketamine is more than a treatment, it’s a combination that can transform mental health care by accelerate healing & create lasting recovery.

Our IFS-Informed Therapists

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