Discovering Internal Family Systems therapy

At Wise Roots Medicine, I use a therapy called Internal Family Systems, or IFS. I discovered IFS on my own personal mental health journey, and found real healing so much faster compared to the other styles of therapy I have tried over the years. 

The more I learned about IFS, and experienced it in my own life, the more I realized how valuable it would be for my patients. I began incorporating aspects of IFS into my care as a naturopathic and functional medicine doctor. The positive changes I began to see in my patients gave me so much hope and joy, I soon realized I wanted to shift the focus of my practice. 

Today, at Wise Roots, I use IFS in tandem with naturopathic and functional medicine treatments to help my patients heal their whole selves – body and mind, together. 

A deeper look at IFS

IFS is a root-cause style of mental-emotional work that addresses both physical and mental health issues. I discovered IFS on my own personal journey to recover from depression, anxiety, childhood trauma and post-partum, and found real healing so much faster compared to the other styles of therapy I have tried over the years.

One of the beautiful things about IFS is that it is a “non-pathologizing approach to psychotherapy,” which means the goal isn’t to find out what’s “wrong” and then diagnose or label you with a condition. Instead, the goal is to get curious and understand why you are feeling and acting the way you do, then work from a place of compassion to heal.

While IFS isn’t as well-known as some other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), it is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy shown to be effective for treating a variety of mental and physical conditions and symptoms. I have found success using IFS with patients to address issues such as:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Phobias

  • Panic

  • Insomnia 

  • Weight management, body image, and relationship with food

  • Self-destructive habits

  • Interpersonal relationships

  • Anger issues 

  • PTSD

  • ADHD

  • Healing emotional wounds and trauma

  • Physical health conditions, such as various chronic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune conditions, as well as improving overall health and well-being