Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy in Arizona
Healing through connection, curiosity, and compassion
Coming home to yourself, one part at a time
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is the primary way I support clients navigating trauma, grief, identity wounds, and generational patterns. As a Diné therapist, IFS aligns deeply with how many Indigenous people understand the inner world: we are made of many parts, shaped by story, land, lineage, and lived experience.
IFS creates a space where every part of you — even the ones that feel overwhelmed, angry, ashamed, or shut down — is welcomed without judgment.
What IFS supports
IFS is a powerful, evidence-based approach for:
trauma and PTSD
emotional overwhelm and anxiety
grief and loss
identity struggles and cultural disconnection
attachment wounds and people-pleasing
generational and family trauma
inner criticism and perfectionism
feeling stuck, numb, or “not yourself”
Clients often describe IFS as gentle but deep, helping them understand where their reactions come from and connecting them to an inner
How I use IFS in our work
IFS is woven throughout every session. Together we will:
slow down and notice your body’s signals
get curious about what different parts of you are trying to protect
support overwhelm or hurting parts with care
build internal safety so you don’t feel controlled by your emotions
explore cultural, historical, and generational context
reconnect you to Self- the calm, clear inner presence beneath old patterns
I also integrate:
Somatic IFS- tracking sensation, breath, and nervous system cues
Sandtray elements- giving parts a safe way to externalize their experiences so they can be seen, understood, and worked with.
Ecotherapy when requested- grounding part through nature connection
These modalities deepen IFS, especially for clients who learn through the body, land, story, and imagery.
What an IFS session feels like
Sessions are slow, supportive, and paced with your nervous system.
You might:
notice a tightness in your chest that has something to say
hear a young part share a memory
meet a protector part that’s kept you from being hurt
experience a moment of calm and clarity
feeling something inside soften for the first time in a long time
IFS is not forcing change, it’s listening inward until healing becomes possible.
Healing culturally held burdens
Many indigenous and BIPOC clients carry burdens that did not start with them, expectations, survival strategies, silence, shame, or the pressure to stay strong:
IFS creates space to:
name what was handed down
release what no longer belongs to you
reclaim identity, culture, and belonging on your own terms
reconnect to the strengths of your lineage
This work is not clinical distance, it is relational, grounded, and held with respect for where you come from.
If IFS therapy resonates with you, I’d be honored to walk with you.
Is IFS right for you?
IFS may be a good fit if you want:
deeper healing, not surface-level coping
therapy that honors your culture and lived experience
to understand why certain patterns keep showing up
to build emotional safety inside yourself
to feel more connected and grounded
support that is trauma-informed, relational, and culturally attuned
If you’re seeking a space where all parts of you can be welcomed and understood, IFS offers a powerful path forward.
