FAQs by Theme
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Internal Family Systems
Find clear, compassionate answers to the questions people ask most about IFS.
Browse by theme to explore the areas of IFS that matter most to you - at your own pace, in our own way.
New to IFS
FAQS
If you're new to IFS, this section gently walk you through how to begin, what to expect, and how to find support.
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How do I start Internal Family Systems therapy?
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What should I expect in my first IFS session?
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How do I find an IFS therapist near me?
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What questions should I ask a potential IFS therapist?
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Is IFS right for me?
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Can IFS help with trauma, anxiety, or depression?
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How long does IFS therapy take?
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What happens during a typical IFS session?
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What is the difference between an IFS session and a traditional therapy session?
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What is the difference between IFS therapy and parts work?
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Is IFS therapy basically just inner child work?
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What should I do to prepare for IFS therapy?
Trauma
FAQS
Explore how IFS helps you approach trauma with safety, gentleness, and trust.
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How does IFS heal trauma?
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How does IFS work with childhood trauma or inner child healing?
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Can IFS help with PTSD or complex trauma (C-PTSD)?
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Can IFS help with shame or guilt?
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How does IFS deal with anger or rage?
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How does IFS approach grief or loss?
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Can IFS help with depression or anxiety disorders?
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Can IFS help with panic attacks or sudden fear responses?
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Is IFS safe for working with severe or complex trauma?
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Can IFS make trauma symptoms worse before they get better?
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Do I need to remember my trauma for IFS to work?
IFS Model
FAQs
Understand the foundation of IFS - it's core ideas, structure and how it helps us heal within.
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What is Internal Family Systems (IFS)?
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How does IFS therapy work?
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What are parts in IFS?
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What is Self in IFS?
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What are managers in IFS?
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What are firefighters in IFS?
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What are exiles in IFS?
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What are protectors in IFS?
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Is IFS evidence-based or scientifically proven?
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What is blending in IFS?
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What are burdens in IFS?
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What is Self-energy?
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How does IFS define healing?
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What are polarizations in IFS?
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Can IFS work without a therapist?
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How does IFS differ from other types of therapy?
IFS PARENTING
FAQS
WRITE SOMETHING ABOUT IFS PARENTING HERE *****
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What is Internal Family Systems (IFS)?
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How does IFS therapy work?
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What are parts in IFS?
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What is Self in IFS?
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What are managers in IFS?
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What are firefighters in IFS?
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What are exiles in IFS?
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What are protectors in IFS?
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Is IFS evidence-based or scientifically proven?
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What is blending in IFS?
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What are burdens in IFS?
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What is Self-energy?
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How does IFS define healing?
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What are polarizations in IFS?
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Can IFS work without a therapist?
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How does IFS differ from other types of therapy?
Parts
FAQS
Learn how to meet, understand, and care for your parts - the inner voices, feelings, and roles that shape our daily life.
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How do I talk to my parts?
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How do I know if I’m blended with a part?
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How can I identify my protectors?
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How do I unblend from a part during strong emotions?
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What does it mean to witness an exile?
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How do I help a part feel safe to step back?
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How do I know if I am in Self-energy?
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Can parts lie or hide from me?
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What if I can’t feel any parts?
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What if I’m not a visual person?
IFS Diagnoses
FAQS
Discover how IFS understands mental-health diagnoses - not as labels to fix, but parts of you needing compassion,
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Here’s your IFS and Diagnoses page, love — polished and ready for its card:
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Can IFS help with OCD or intrusive thoughts?
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Can IFS help with addictions?
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How does IFS treat anxiety or panic attacks?
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Can IFS help with eating disorders?
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Can IFS help with ADHD?
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Can IFS help with emotional regulation?
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Does IFS help with neurodivergence?
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Is IFS effective for borderline personality disorder (BPD)?
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Can IFS help with chronic pain or psychosomatic illness?
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Can IFS help with phobias and fears?
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Is IFS compatible with medications or psychiatry?
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How does IFS view diagnoses like bipolar and schizophrenia?
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Can IFS help with trauma-bonded or codependent relationships?
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Can IFS help with self-harm or suicidal thoughts?
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Can IFS help with perfectionism or people-pleasing?
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Can IFS help with procrastination?
IFS On Myself
FAQS
For those exploring IFS on their own - between sessions or simply in daily life.
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Here you go, love — your Self-Guided IFS page, clear and aligned with the others:
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Can I do IFS on myself without a therapist?
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What are the best IFS exercises for beginners?
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How do I journal with parts?
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What’s the best way to meditate using IFS principles?
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How do I build a relationship with my parts daily?
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What if my parts don’t trust me?
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How can I tell if I’m doing IFS correctly?
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How do I know when to seek help from a therapist?
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What if I can’t find or hear any of my parts?
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What if I get overwhelmed or triggered while doing IFS alone?
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What if I keep going around the same part and nothing changes?
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Can I use IFS alongside other modalities?
Spiritual
FAQS
​Bridge the inner world of parts with spirituality, consciousness and the search for Self.
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Here’s your IFS and Spirituality page, love — the seventh card, complete and glowing:
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Do I need to be spiritual or believe in God to practice IFS?
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Is IFS a spiritual practice?
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What is the connection between IFS and meditation?
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How does IFS relate to mindfulness or non-dual awareness?
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Is the Self in IFS the same as the soul or higher Self?
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How does IFS approach forgiveness or compassion?
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What is the difference between Self and ego?
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Can IFS lead to enlightenment or awakening?
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How does IFS relate to inner child work or shadow work?
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How can I integrate IFS with my faith or religion?
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Does IFS and Christianity blend well?
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Does IFS and Buddhism blend well?
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Does IFS and non-duality blend well?
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Does IFS and A Course in Miracles (ACIM) blend well?
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Does IFS and Carl Jung blend well?
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Does IFS blend well with energy healing and mysticism?