Internal Family Systems™ (IFS)
Parts Work — Getting to Know Every Part of Yourself
If you’re seeking IFS therapy in Maple Ridge, Internal Family Systems™ offers a gentle, evidence‑informed way to understand your inner world. Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS helps you build a relationship with the different “parts” inside you. The ones that protect, the ones that react, and the ones that carry pain.
Many people choose IFS when they want a compassionate, structured approach to healing that doesn’t require retelling trauma in detail.
Healing Through Relationship With Your Parts
IFS is grounded in a simple but powerful insight: we are not one unified self, but a system of many parts.
The part that shuts down.
The part that braces for conflict.
The part that keeps you busy so you don’t have to feel.
These parts aren’t problems, they’re protectors doing their best with what they learned.
IFS helps you access your core Self, the calm, curious, compassionate centre that exists in every person. From this grounded place, you can build trust with your parts and help them soften. For clients seeking parts work, this approach offers clarity, emotional spaciousness, and a deeper sense of internal safety.
How IFS Supports Emotional and Relational Healing
IFS therapy helps you:
- Understand where your parts came from
- Learn what they’re protecting
- Build trust so they don’t have to work so hard
- Access your Self energy; clarity, compassion, calm
- Reduce internal conflict and emotional overwhelm
Many people find IFS especially supportive for trauma, anxiety, relationship patterns, and long‑standing emotional struggles. If you’re looking for a trauma‑informed therapist, IFS offers a gentle, collaborative way to explore your inner world.
What IFS Looks Like in Session
Sessions often involve turning inward and noticing what parts are present. Parts may show up as:
- Thoughts
- Emotions
- Sensations
- Images
- Inner voices and impulses
Your therapist guides you in approaching these parts with curiosity rather than judgment. As trust builds, parts often soften, creating more internal space and less reactivity.
IFS may be helpful if you experience:
Intense or harsh inner conflict and critic
Emotional numbing or shutdown
Self-sabotage you can’t seem to stop
Difficulty accessing self-compassion
If you prefer working online, we also offer IFS therapy across BC and Ontario, making this approach accessible no matter where you live.
Shawna creates such a welcoming environment. I always leave our sessions feeling lighter, more hopeful, and with a better understanding of myself. Her approach is thoughtful, compassionate, and incredibly supportive. I would highly recommend her to anyone considering therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?
No. IFS works with the parts that show up now. You never need to revisit anything before you’re ready.
What does an IFS session feel like?
Sessions are gentle, exploratory, and collaborative. You may notice clarity, softening, emotional shifts, or more internal spaciousness.
How long does IFS take to work?
Every system is different. Some people notice changes quickly; others benefit from longer‑term work. Trust and pacing are essential.
Can I combine IFS with other therapies?
Yes. Many clients blend IFS with Somatic Experiencing®, Transforming Touch™, or talk therapy for a more holistic trauma‑healing approach.