Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, often called parts work, is a counselling approach that helps you explore the different parts of your inner world (such as protectors, exiles, or inner critics). By connecting with your core “Self,” IFS fosters self-compassion, deeper healing and self-integration of your varying parts.

IFS works by guiding you to identify and listen to different parts of yourself instead of pushing them away. Our therapists will help you connect with these parts through curiosity and compassion, allowing your “Self” to lead the healing process. Over time, this reduces inner conflict and increases clarity, confidence, and a sense of inner peace.

Parts work is the process of identifying and understanding the different parts of yourself, such as managers, protectors, and wounded child parts. In IFS, these parts are seen as protective, even when their strategies feel unhelpful. Your therapist will help you build compassionate relationships with them resulting in self-integration.

A typical 50–60 minute session may involve guided reflection, visualization, and dialogue with parts of yourself. Our IFS therapist supports you in connecting with your Self-energy—the calm, compassionate core that can bring healing to hurt or overworked parts. This delicate process is best done with an IFS trained practitioner. Check our therapist directory to meet the ones on our clinical team!

The Self is your core state of calm, clarity, compassion, and curiosity. In IFS, the Self is seen as the natural leader of your internal system. When the Self is in the lead, protective parts can relax, wounded parts can heal, and you can feel more whole and balanced. As it can be hard to connect to the Self at times, our IFS trained therapists can help guide you towards reconnection.

Yes. IFS is an evidence-based therapy for trauma and PTSD. Research shows it helps people heal traumatic memories without re-traumatization, regulate emotions, and feel safer in their relationships. Many of our clients in BC choose IFS for its gentle, empowering approach to trauma healing.

The number of sessions depends on your goals and history. Some clients notice meaningful shifts after a few sessions, while others choose longer-term IFS therapy to address deep trauma or long-standing patterns. As with most therapies, we suggest a minimum of 12 sessions to see sustained change.

The number of sessions depends on your goals and history. Some clients notice meaningful shifts after a few sessions, while others choose longer-term IFS therapy to address deep trauma or long-standing patterns. As with most therapies, we suggest a minimum of 12 sessions to see sustained change.

Many extended health plans in British Columbia cover sessions with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC), and Registered Social Workers (RSW). It’s best to confirm directly with your provider. Our Vancouver clinic issues detailed receipts to make the reimbursement process simple and stress-free.

Yes. Our counselling clinic is based in Vancouver and offers virtual IFS therapy. We serve clients throughout British Columbia—including Victoria, Kelowna, Kamloops, and smaller communities—through secure virtual sessions. If you’re searching for “IFS therapy near me,” virtual counselling can make it accessible anywhere in BC!

Look for a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Psychologist, or Social Worker trained in Internal Family Systems. At our Vancouver counselling clinic, several therapists integrate IFS into their practice and offer online sessions throughout BC.

IFS therapy is effective for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, self-worth concerns, and relationship struggles. Many people in Vancouver and across BC use IFS for inner child healing, to reduce self-criticism, and to resolve patterns that started in early life. We have several IFS specialist on our team, check our therapists directory to learn more.