INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS (IFS)
About IFS
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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![Internal Family Systems Therapy]()
Exiles
Exiles are usually the parts that carry our trauma & painful memories.
These parts are vulnerable & often young parts.
In order to prevent feeling the painful emotions associated with these memories + experiences, these parts are often “exiled” or isolated from the rest of the system.
Exiled parts may hold negative beliefs (e.g. “I’m not good enough”), carry painful emotions (e.g. shame), and have experienced trauma (e.g. abandonment).
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![IFS Therapy Kingston]()
Managers
Managers are proactive parts that carry the responsibility of preventing re-traumatization + wounding.
They often do this by attempting to maintain order & control through planning ahead, avoiding triggers & keeping exiles hidden to prevent emotional distress.
Examples of managers: people-pleasing parts, perfectionistic parts, parts that self-sabotage or push others away, caretaking parts, etc.
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![Person holding a smartphone with both hands, face resting in one hand, indicating stress or frustration in low light conditions.]()
Firefighters
Firefighters are reactive parts that jump in to “put out the flame” after exiles become triggered and the system is overwhelmed. Essentially, firefighters want to “extinguish” and alleviate painful feelings.
Firefighters may look like parts that attempt to distract, or numb, through binge eating, substance abuse, self-harm or cutting, overspending, spending excessive time watching TV or on social media, etc.
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
Finding an IFS Therapist
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.
Start Healing with IFS
Book a FREE 15-minute consultation call with someone off our team, today.
Our Trained IFS Therapist
Trained IFS Therapists have completed comprehensive training through the IFS Institute
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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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Yasmin Goldie, RP
Registered Psychotherapist
Individuals & Couples Therapy
EMDR Therapist
IFS-Informed Therapist
Trauma + Addictions
Relationship Trauma
Chronic Pain
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