Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Living with deep emotional wounds, constant worry, or feelings of inner turmoil can be overwhelming. It might feel like there’s a constant battle going on inside you—one part of you wants to move forward, but another feels stuck in fear or sadness. Maybe you’ve noticed patterns of self-doubt or anger that are hard to shake, or you struggle with overwhelming emotions that seem to come out of nowhere. These experiences can leave you feeling exhausted, disconnected, and unsure of how to find peace. You may even wonder if healing is possible.
What is Internal Family Systems (IFS)?
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a type of therapy developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz. It helps you understand and work with the different "parts" of yourself, like a team or family inside your mind. Some parts might feel scared, angry, or sad, while others try to protect you or keep you safe. These parts all have important roles, but they can sometimes get stuck or overwhelmed, especially if you’ve experienced trauma or struggle with anxiety.
IFS therapy is based on the idea that everyone has a Self—a calm, wise, and compassionate part of them—that can help the other parts feel safe and supported. In therapy, you’ll work to understand these parts, heal the ones that carry pain, and help them work together in a healthier way. This process brings a sense of balance and peace, making it easier to handle life’s challenges.
For people with trauma or anxiety, IFS therapy can be especially helpful because it creates a safe space to explore painful emotions and memories without feeling overwhelmed. It helps you respond to inner struggles with kindness, giving you tools to feel more connected, confident, and in control of your life.
Who is IFS Therapy Good For?
Living with unresolved trauma can feel like a heavy burden, making it hard to connect with yourself and others. You might find yourself stuck in patterns of emotional pain, self-criticism, or inner conflict that just won’t go away, no matter what you try. These feelings can be lonely, but you’re not alone in experiencing them. Many people turn to Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy to work through these struggles and find healing. IFS helps you explore the different parts of yourself, like the ones that protect you, the ones that hold your pain, and the ones that still feel calm and whole. It’s a gentle, supportive way to better understand yourself and start to heal from the inside out.
Here are some common reasons people seek IFS Therapy:
Feeling trapped in cycles of shame, self-doubt, or self-sabotage.
Having strong emotional reactions that don’t match what’s happening in the moment.
Struggling with inner voices that are harsh, critical, or conflicting.
Wanting to heal from complex trauma, PTSD, or difficult family relationships.
Feeling disconnected, numb, or cut off from your emotions.
Dealing with anxiety or depression that feels hard to manage.
Coping with the stress of chronic illness or long-term pain.
Longing for more peace, self-compassion, and confidence in yourself.
IFS Therapy provides a safe and understanding space to explore these feelings, offering tools to uncover and heal your inner struggles. By working with an IFS therapist in Michigan, you can discover the strength and clarity that have been within you all along.
Is IFS Therapy Right for You?
At Embodied Wellness, PLLC, we understand that starting therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re exploring something as unique as Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. Online IFS therapy is about creating a safe, supportive space where you can connect with different parts of yourself, heal emotional wounds, and feel more balanced. We know you might have questions about how it works or how it could help you on your healing journey.
Here are some commonly asked questions to help you better understand IFS therapy:
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The timeline for online IFS therapy varies based your individual goals, the complexity of the issue, and the frequency of sessions. We recommend you attend treatment weekly or every other week for the best results. You may notice improvement after one to two sessions, particularly if they’re focused on a specific issue. To explore deeper patterns and address trauma, longer-term therapy is recommended. Progress depends on many factors like your readiness, willingness to engage, and the therapeutic alliance!
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IFS therapy sessions typically involve:
Exploration of Parts: You'll identify and interact with various "parts" of yourself! This might include protectors, or exiled parts holding negative core beliefs or trauma.
Accessing the Self: Your IFS therapist will help you connect with your core Self. This is a compassionate, calm and curious state of being that serves as the internal compass.
Guided Dialogue: Your IFS therapist may guide you in dialoguing with parts of yourself to heal them.
Emotion and Body Awareness: Attention to emotional and physical sensations often helps locate and understand parts. Each session is collaborative and paced to ensure you feel safe and comfortable.
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Yes! IFS is particularly effective for symptoms of trauma and PTSD. It is an evidence-based treatment that helps resolve inner conflicts and process painful experiences. It helps you:
Heal "exiled" parts holding traumatic memories and experiences.
Reduce the intensity of trauma symptoms like hypervigilance, flashbacks, or nightmares.
Rebuild a sense of safety and wholeness in your body.
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Yes! Many IFS practitioners, including those at Embodied Wellness, offer online IFS therapy. IFS online therapy is just as effective as in-person sessions. The process works well online because it focuses on guided inner exploration, which doesn’t need you to be in the same room.
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Physical symptoms, including chronic pain and illness are often seen as expressions of “parts” carrying stress, trauma, or unmet needs according to IFS. Recognizing the mind-body connection, IFS therapy believes the following:
Physical feelings in the body can help you understand different parts of yourself.
Letting go of emotional pain may sometimes ease chronic pain or health problems.
While IFS therapy isn’t a substitute for medical care, it can work alongside treatments for issues caused by stress or trauma.
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Yes! IFS therapy integrates well with other modalities that Embodied Wellness offers such as:
EMDR: For processing trauma memories while maintaining focus on parts.
Somatic Therapy: To deepen body awareness and integrate physical sensations into healing.
DBT/CBT: For managing symptoms while working with parts. Combining IFS with other approaches can provide a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
Empath Counseling: IFS can help empaths/HSP’s understand and manage their emotional boundaries by addressing parts that absorb or protect against others' feelings.
How We Can Help
Living with trauma, anxiety, or emotional pain can feel hard and lonely. You might feel like you’re always fighting with yourself, stuck in feelings of self-doubt, or weighed down by memories and emotions that won’t go away. Maybe you’ve tried to handle it on your own, but nothing seems to change, and it leaves you feeling tired, frustrated, or unsure about what to do next. It’s important to know that you’re not alone, and it’s okay to ask for help.
At Embodied Wellness, we’re here to support you with a gentle and effective approach called Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. IFS therapy helps you explore and heal the parts of yourself that feel hurt, scared, or stuck, while reconnecting with your calm, compassionate inner self—the part of you that knows how to heal. Whether you're struggling with trauma, anxiety, or just feeling lost, IFS provides a safe space to better understand your emotions and start to feel more balanced, confident, and at peace. Our goal is to help you feel whole and empowered so you can face life’s challenges with strength and build a life that truly feels like your own.
The Embodied Wellness Approach to Internal Family Systems
At Embodied Wellness, we take a caring and personal approach to IFS therapy. We understand how hard it can be to live with trauma or anxiety, so we make sure to create a safe, comfortable place for you to heal. While IFS therapy is one of the main techniques we use, we also offer other helpful therapies like somatic therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to support your healing on every level—mind and body.
What makes us different is how much we care about seeing the whole you, not just your struggles. We tailor our therapy to meet your unique needs, helping you reconnect with your inner strength and feel more in control of your life. At Embodied Wellness, our goal isn’t just to help you cope—it’s to help you truly heal and thrive.
Start Online IFS Therapy in Detroit & Throughout Michigan
Step 1: Free Consultation
Click here to schedule a free 15 minute consultation! You will speak with the clinical director who will learn more about you, answer any questions you have and match you with a therapist who we think will be a great fit!
Step 2: Begin Therapy
At the consultation, we will schedule your first appointment. Then you will sign up for a free online portal, complete the required documents and log on to meet your therapist!
Step 3: Start Feeling Better
Together with your therapist, you will come up with a treatment plan to meet your needs. This includes how often you will see your therapist, what your goals are and the best types of therapy that will help you start feeling better.
Due to Michigan state licensing requirements, all patients must reside in Michigan at the time of service to participate in our online therapy Michigan services.
We only offer online therapy and do not have in-person options.
We are in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Blue Care Network and Aetna plans. Otherwise, we are an out-of-network provider and can provide superbills for reimbursement from your insurance. Our private pay fees start at 170+ depending on the therapist.
IFS Therapists
Other Online Therapy Services in Detroit, Michigan
Our compassionate and understanding therapists offer various services and specialties beyond IFS therapy. This includes depression treatment, trauma therapy and PTSD treatment, DBT therapy, and Somatic therapy. All of these online therapy services are available for both teenagers and adults. We have low-cost therapy available with MSW interns. Take your first step to a better tomorrow and visit our Detroit-based practice today!