Internal Family Systems (IFS)
“There are no bad parts. We are not our parts and our parts are not their burdens”
Internal Family Systems (IFS) or Parts Work is a therapeutic approach that views the mind as made up of different “parts,” each with its own thoughts, feelings, and roles. It is theorized that our parts are often stuck in a past trauma or an attachment injury. Therefore, some parts try to protect us, others carry emotional pain, and all are seen as having positive intentions. At the center of this system is the “Self,” a calm and compassionate core that can lead and heal these parts. IFS focuses on understanding and caring for inner experiences rather than judging or suppressing them, helping people develop greater self-awareness and emotional balance.
Instead of trying to eliminate or judge these parts, parts work focuses on listening to them with curiosity and compassion, understanding their purpose, and helping them work together more harmoniously. The goal is greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and healing by allowing a calm, grounded sense of self to lead.
Trauma Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST)
"Trauma treatment shouldn't have to hurt."
Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) is a trauma-focused therapeutic model that helps people who’ve experienced complex, prolonged, or early-life trauma to stabilize, make sense of their symptoms, and develop internal safety before deeper trauma work (with EMDR or Brainspotting). It views behaviors, like self-harm, suicidality, addiction, emotional flooding, or dissociation, as adaptive, trauma-related responses rather than pathology, and helps clients reframe them as communications from fragmented parts that are trying to protect the client.
It understands trauma symptoms as adaptive survival responses. Rather than trying to eliminate them, this parts-based perspective helps clients make sense of their inner conflicts. TIST combines neuroscience, somatic awareness, and mindfulness to develop a compassionate self-understanding lens to help clients regulate emotions, reduce overwhelm, and strengthen a sense of control and resilience in daily life.
We use TIST in combination with EMDR & Brainspotting therapy.