Healing Approaches Explained

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Despite the name, IFS is not family therapy. Instead, it is a form of individual talk therapy that identifies various parts of ourselves that function like sub-personalities — including younger parts, wounded parts, and protective parts. IFS works to heal these parts to allow them to work together and create a sense of inner balance and harmony. This work can help with depression, anxiety, trauma, phobias and physical pain.
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Have you ever felt like one part of you wants to move forward, while another part is holding you back? Maybe you have an inner critic that’s hard to silence, or a part of you that feels stuck in old emotional patterns. Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy offers a powerful way to understand and heal these inner conflicts.

IFS is based on the idea that our minds are made up of different “parts,” or “sub-personalities”, each with its own perspective, emotions, and role. This multiplicity is natural and universal. In this internal family system, parts develop over time to help us cope with life’s challenges,  some parts take on protective roles in response to younger parts that carry burdens or wounds. Sometimes, these parts can get stuck in painful or extreme roles.  In IFS, we work gently with these parts, helping them release old burdens and step into more balanced, supportive roles. All parts, whether protective or wounded, are good and have a positive intent. 

In addition to parts, everyone has a core resource, which IFS calls the Self, the inner core which is characterized by qualities like compassion, curiosity and calm . IFS helps you reconnect with your Self so you can lead your inner system with clarity and confidence. IFS therapy helps individuals find balance and harmony in their internal family system by healing the wounded parts. IFS teaches us how to connect and have greater access to Self energy which is the core of who we really are. Once Self is leading the internal family system, we are able to liberate parts from their extreme roles and experience transformation and relief from symptoms. 

This approach is helpful for navigating the full range of the human experience including anxiety, trauma, low self-worth, relationship struggles, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life. Through IFS, you’ll learn to meet yourself with more understanding, heal from the inside out, and create lasting inner peace.


Additional Resources

IFS Institute

Mind Body Therapy Collective Practitioners

Stephanie Bourgeois, LCSW

Stephanie is co-founder of the Mind Body Therapy Collective and practices traditional therapy as well as holistic/somatic treatments. She is a trauma specialist and also treats the myriad of issues clients come to therapy with using approaches that include CBT, mindfulness, sandplay therapy, body psychotherapy, and is passionate about using EMDR in her work.

Amy Gladstone LCSW, PhD

With extensive experience and expertise in evidence-based interventions, Amy specializes in guiding clients through the complexities of emotional reactivity and personal growth. Amy tailors her approach to address your specific needs and goals. As a certified practitioner in Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and with training in Internal Family Systems and EMDR, Amy offers a comprehensive toolkit to facilitate lasting change.

Pamela Goldsteen, LCSW

Pamela is a trauma therapist specializing in experiential somatic modalities that gently and effectively support healing and integration and alleviate traumatic stress. She works with clients who have PTSD, depression, anxiety, OCD, work or medical issues, or grief. She also helps parents of special needs children cope with their challenges.

Rebecca Gotterer, LCSW,
SEP, R-DMT

Rebecca is an experienced therapist offering a safe space for you to become the person you aspire to be. She often uses Internal Family Systems and is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. Rebecca also offers dance/movement therapy, which further includes the body’s wisdom in healing. With a holistic outlook, Rebecca tailors her approach based on your needs to help bring relief and desired change.

Elizabeth Hanifin, LCSW

Liz has been a psychotherapist for over two decades and is passionate about bringing people home to themselves. She is a certified IFS therapist and clinical consultant and has assisted in over a dozen IFS trainings. Liz has practiced EMDR since 2005. Additionally, she employs Brainspotting, Integral Breath therapy, and Family Constellations. On a group level, she facilitates workshops harmonizing IFS, Integral Breath therapy, and Quartz Chakra bowls. Her specialties include Complex Trauma, Grief and traumatic loss, Addiction/Recovery, Blended Families, Spirituality, Tick Borne Illness, Oncology, neurodivergence, and relationship rupture and repair.

Eloiza Jorge, LCSW

Eloiza specializes in a culturally responsive and decolonial approach to therapy. She uses metaphors, archetypal symbols, and dream interpretation to help clients access their inner wisdom. Her expertise includes parts work, mindfulness, and body-centered therapy in supporting clients on their healing journey.

Teal Paynter, LCSW

Teal specializes in working with adults, couples, and other dyads. She is an experienced trauma-informed therapist with certification in Discernment Counseling and advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. Her clients are facing a range of circumstances, including trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, illness, struggling relationships, and life transitions. With a non-judgmental and collaborative style, Teal uses scientifically-proven models to help each person achieve their goals.

Danielle Taylor, PsyD, NCSP

Dr. Danielle Taylor, a licensed psychologist in New Jersey, advocates for a holistic and non-pathologizing approach to therapy, offering a safe space for individuals and their diverse experiences. Trained in Internal Family Systems Level 1, Presence Psychotherapy, and Polyvagal/Somatics, she is also a Holy Fire Reiki Master, ICRT I/II Animal Reiki practitioner, certified sound healer, IET Practitioner, and meditation instructor. Danielle skillfully integrates these practices to support her clients’ healing journeys, alongside her roles in non-profit and educational leadership.

Stacia Thiel, LCSW NY & NJ

NY/NJ licensed integrative clinical social worker specializing in trauma, attachment, and relational healing. Certified in EMDR, hypnotherapy, and Discernment Counseling for Couples, with advanced training in EFT, structural family therapy, and somatic practices. I integrate IFS, CBT, and mindfulness to support individuals, couples, and families through life transitions, relationship struggles, and mental health challenges. Certified clinical supervisor, board member of Family Service League, and professional musician. Available for Telehealth and in-person sessions in Montclair, NJ.

Tessa Vining

Tessa Vining, LCSW, LCADC, CCS

Tessa is co-founder of the Mind Body Therapy Collective and in the past 10 years, she has integrated innovative therapeutic approaches such as CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and EMDR, among others, to help her clients achieve meaningful change.

Lisa Weinberg, Ph.D.

Lisa is a licensed psychologist (NJ & NY) who specializes in the treatment of trauma and PTSD. She uses a collaborative approach as she integrates relational psychotherapy with EMDR and IFS in her work with clients and helps them to develop greater attunement to the mind-body connection. She views people as resilient and values exploration of family background, culture and social environment as important to their healing process.

Emily Zelner, LCSW

Emily is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who draws on different techniques, including EMDR and Internal Family Systems, to fit each client’s unique needs. Her trauma-informed approach offers her clients a warm and supportive space to create meaningful change. Emily is also trained in Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy and has experience working in this field.

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