Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy
Flexible Schedule
Daytime, evening, and weekend appointments
Online & In-Person
Appointments from the comfort of your own home or our Duncan, BC office
Affordable Therapy
Low cost options and a subsidy program available
Do you feel distressed by your emotions, thoughts, behaviours, or beliefs?
Are your negative thoughts overwhelming despite your best efforts to stay positive?
Are past experiences continuing to bother you even if you are no longer in the traumatic situation?
Are there times you feel confident for a moment only to be paralyzed by self criticism a moment later?
Is your temper ruining relationships with people you love and don’t intend to treat poorly?
Imagine your mind as a lively, vibrant family. Each family member plays a distinct role, and each has its own emotions, beliefs, desires, and needs. Some of these family members, also known as parts, may be protective guardians that shield us from pain and vulnerability, while others may carry the scars and intense emotions of past painful experiences.
The internal conflict of mixed emotions, mood swings, and an inability to trust yourself, your thoughts, and your behaviours can be alarming and unsettling!
Everyone will experience difficult, and often conflicting, emotions at some point in their life - it’s unavoidable.
It can be painful and confusing to feel like there are different parts of you that are in conflict with each other. It may be that a part of you really wants the immediate gratification of a great big bowl of icecream while another part of you desperately wants the long-term benefits of healthier nutritional choices. Or there may be a part of you that believes your parents did the best they could with the resources they had but another part of you was hurt by them and is still angry that they didn’t do better. Examples like this highlight the unique, and potentially extreme, emotions or beliefs of various parts within an internal family system. At times the internal conflict can be overwhelming.
IFS therapy helps make sense of the internal conflicts by helping you identify and understand your various parts - acknowledging their roles and the underlying emotions they carry.
Underneath the distress of this internal conflict is a version of yourself that can remain calm, secure, compassionate, and centered. This is who you are at your core - we call it the Self. Connecting with the Self is central to Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, a transformative approach to understanding and healing the complexities of our inner worlds.
With the help of IFS therapy, you can explore and understand all parts of yourself, promote self-awareness, and foster a compassionate and non-judgemental relationship with each part of your internal family.
“The goal of IFS therapy is to help clients become Self-led, which means that their parts feel loved by the Self and trust the Self’s leadership.”
- Richard Schwartz
The Self
In IFS Therapy
The central aspect of IFS therapy is the Self, which represents the core of our being, and is characterized by:
calmness . compassion . creativity . curiosity . courage . confidence . clarity . connection
The Self is like an anchor that is steady and steadfast. One goal in IFS therapy is to access this Self energy and use it to connect with, and get to know, the internal family of parts.
Once you become familiar with your inner family, IFS therapy guides you through healing and integrating these parts. This involves understanding their origins, addressing their concerns, and helping them let go of their emotional burdens or extreme protective roles when those roles are no longer necessary.
The ultimate goal of IFS therapy is to empower the Self to lead the internal family, bringing balance, harmony, and healing to the system.
Ready to let your SELF lead?
Individual IFS Therapy
What to expect…
Initial Consultation
During the first conversation (usually a complimentary phone consultation), one of our experienced therapists will listen to your story and together you will determine how they can best help you. During your first session together, you and your therapist will dive into your inner world and create your first parts map according to the IFS model. You will also explore the characteristics of Self and reflect on times you’ve experienced Self energy.
Working with Parts
Regularly scheduled sessions give you the opportunity to work with the parts that need your attention - perhaps there’s an inner critic, a perfectionist, an angry caveman, a caretaker, a procrastinator, or an anxious child...
While getting to know each of these parts, we wrap them in compassion and understanding and allow them to let go of the burdens they have been carrying for so long and adopt new, more adaptive roles.
You are whole
One of the greatest strengths of IFS therapy is that it teaches you to become your own therapist in a way. Imagine the day your Self-energy is able to continue leading the parts of you that have been healed and integrated into a healthy and thriving internal system. IFS therapy gives you the tools to continue working with your parts even once you no longer need regularly scheduled sessions with a therapist.
IFS therapy has gained recognition and popularity for its transformative potential
If you want to address mental health concerns I’m sure you want to know that the type of therapy you try will be effective. At the end of the day, I bet you’re asking, “Does IFS therapy work?”
Internal Family Systems therapy has shown efficacy through both research and anecdotal evidence. Research studies indicate that IFS can effectively treat a range of psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. For instance, a pilot study published in the "Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma" found significant reductions in PTSD symptoms among participants. Anecdotal evidence further supports these findings, with many individuals reporting profound personal growth and healing. Clients often describe a deeper understanding of their inner emotional parts and a greater sense of internal harmony. Therapists have also observed improvements in clients' self-compassion and emotional regulation. These combined findings suggest that IFS offers a strong framework for addressing complex emotional issues by facilitating a compassionate dialogue between one’s different parts and the Self - fostering holistic healing and personal transformation.
Special applications of IFS therapy
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Moxie Health & Wellness offers trauma therapy using the Internal Family Systems (IFS) approach. This method helps clients understand and heal their internal parts, addressing trauma's root causes. Therapists guide clients in fostering self-compassion, promoting inner harmony, and achieving lasting emotional healing, empowering them to reclaim their lives.
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Neurodivergent informed therapy supports individuals with conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and more. Therapists offer tailored strategies that honour neurodiversity, fostering strengths and addressing challenges. This compassionate approach promotes self-understanding, coping skills, and overall well-being, empowering neurodivergent clients to thrive authentically. -
We offer polyamory accepting therapy, fostering an environment where clients can explore and strengthen their ethically non monogamous (ENM) relationships. Our therapists provide tailored support, addressing the unique challenges and enhancing communication, trust, and emotional health within ENM dynamics, promoting overall well-being and personal growth.
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Moxie Health & Wellness offers kink-aware therapy, focusing on destigmatizing kink and fostering a sex-positive approach to therapy. Therapists provide non-judgmental support, understanding the diverse expressions of sexuality. This approach promotes open dialogue, self-acceptance, and healthy relationships, ensuring clients feel respected and validated in their sexual identities and practices.
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Queer affirming therapy at Moxie Health & Wellness supports LGBTQIA+ individuals, providing a safe, inclusive space to explore identity and mental health. Our therapists validate and understand unique experiences, fostering acceptance, resilience, and empowerment. This tailored approach promotes self-love, mental well-being, and authentic living for LGBTQIA+ clients.
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We offer IFS therapy in an inclusive, non-judgmental environment, welcoming clients from all backgrounds and situations. Therapists foster acceptance and understanding, helping clients explore their inner worlds without bias. This supportive approach empowers individuals to navigate their unique challenges, promoting healing and self-compassion in a safe space.
Meet the Team
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Sarah Montes
REGISTERED CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
Clinical supervisor
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Paula Joy
REGISTERED CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
Accepting New Clients
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Jennifer Joseph
COUNSELLING INTERN
Accepting new clients
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Stephanie Azari
COUNSELLING INTERN
Accepting new clients
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Jill Strayer-Church
REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER
Not currently accepting new clients
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Kaitlin Klimosko
COUNSELLING INTERN
Accepting new clients
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Elizabeth Montes
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Psychology Student
Ready to get started? Let’s work together.
At Moxie Health and Wellness, we have extensive experience working with individuals using IFS therapy. If you’re ready to start exploring your own internal family, we have IFS therapists ready to help guide you through the process. We are available in person in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island and across Canada online. Please reach out and we’ll do this work together.
Not quite ready to book yet? Send us your questions and someone will get back to you shortly.