Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy in Templestowe, Melbourne
All parts of you are welcome, because all parts of you are valuable.
Within each of us is a system of parts, some are trying to protect us
and some carry wounds and pain from the past. Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy offers a compassionate and experiential way to explore these different parts, process past trauma, and reconnect with your authentic self.
At True Self Space in Templestowe, Melbourne, we provide expert IFS counselling that supports you to respond with compassion and curiosity, instead of criticism or shame.
What is IFS Therapy?
Internal Family Systems is a trauma-informed therapeutic approach that recognises our psyche is made up of multiple "parts" - each with its own perspective, feelings, and role in our inner system. Rather than viewing conflicting thoughts and feelings as problems to fix, IFS therapy helps you understand that these parts developed to protect you and keep you safe.
As an IFS therapist in Melbourne, I guide you to connect with your Self - your calm, compassionate inner leader - and build a healing relationship with all your parts, including those carrying trauma, shame, or pain.
What an IFS therapy session might look like...
Understanding your parts
Connecting to Self
Unburdening Exiles
Integration and connection
Get to know your inner world by noticing how different parts show up, you might say,
“There’s a part of me that always says I have to be perfect”
We give these parts space to speak, feel heard and understand the protective role they are playing.
We create space for your calm, compassionate inner presence, what IFS calls “Self” to begin leading the healing process.
You’ll notice how it feels when you’re with a part, rather than merged as the part.
The process invites you to stay present and compassionate toward your parts and create a relationship where your Self leads with curiosity
We gently connect with younger and wounded parts, that carry pain or outdated beliefs and help them release what they’ve been holding.
When protective parts feel safe, they may allow us to connect with an exile, hear its story, and support the exile part to unburden the beliefs or emotions it’s been carrying.
We support your parts in finding new roles and restoring balance in your inner system.
After a part has been unburdened, you may notice a growing sense of inner harmony and clarity.
We work to build trust and communication between parts, inviting integration and supporting your internal system feel more connected.
IFS isn't about fixing, it's about listening to the parts of you that have always tried to help.
IFS Therapy for Trauma in Melbourne
IFS therapy is particularly effective for trauma healing because it doesn't require you to relive traumatic experiences. Instead, this gentle approach helps you:
- Connect with the parts of you that carry trauma at a pace that feels safe
- Build internal resources and safety before processing difficult emotions
- Support wounded parts (called "exiles") to release the burdens they've been carrying
- Transform your relationship with protective parts that may show up as anxiety, anger, or shutdown
- Experience deep inner child healing through compassionate connection with younger parts
Our Melbourne-based IFS trauma therapy supports you to process past wounding without becoming overwhelmed or retraumatised.
The Benefits of IFS Therapy
Internal Family Systems therapy supports you to feel more connected to your emotions without being overwhelmed by them.
Over time, you begin to hold space for the internal conflicts between the parts of you that want different things, and can move through challenges with greater ease. Building a relationship with your parts creates:
- Greater self-trust and inner confidence
- Emotional clarity and regulation
- Reduced anxiety, depression, and inner conflict
- Healing from trauma and past wounding
- The capacity to relate to others with more openness and authenticity
- Freedom from harsh self-criticism and perfectionism
- Reconnection with your authentic self
IFS for Inner Child Healing in Melbourne
IFS therapy offers a powerful pathway for inner child healing. Rather than simply remembering childhood experiences, IFS allows you to directly connect with and care for the younger parts of you that still carry pain, fear, or shame.
Through this compassionate process, you can:
- Reparent wounded inner child parts with the care they needed
- Release outdated beliefs formed in childhood
- Transform shame and self-blame into self-compassion
- Help young parts feel safe, seen, and valued
- Integrate childhood experiences in a healing way
Our IFS therapist in Melbourne creates a safe space for this tender work, moving at a pace that feels right for you and your system.
Parts Work Therapy Goes Deeper Than Just Talking
Rather than pushing down your feelings, trying to fix yourself, or endlessly analysing your past, IFS counselling in Melbourne invites you into a healing relationship with your inner world. It's a gentle, yet transformative process of reconnecting with all parts of yourself.
IFS therapy is a creative, trauma-informed, and experiential process. Explore how experiential techniques can bring your inner world to life through our creative therapy approaches.
Who Might Find IFS and Parts Work Therapy Helpful
IFS therapy may be supportive if you...
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Feel like you’re constantly battling with yourself or stuck in repeated patterns and cycles
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Struggle with a strong inner critic or deep patterns or negative self-talk
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Often overthink, shut-down or feel overwhelmed by strong emotions like anxiety or anger
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Want to connect with the parts you that feel anxious or avoidant in relationships and start building deeper, safer connections
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Feel disconnected from your self and long to reconnect with who you are beneath the roles, expectations, and masks you wear
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Feel exhausted from trying to keep everyone happy, leaving you feeling unseen or not enough and want to build a more compassionate relationship with yourself
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Have experienced trauma and are looking for a gentle, non-retraumatising approach to healing
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Are seeking inner child healing and want to care for wounded younger parts
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Are looking for a therapeutic space that’s non-judgmental, expressive, and goes deeper than surface-level talk
IFS Therapy for Trauma in Melbourne
IFS-Registered Therapist: Melanie Pontikis is formally trained and registered in Internal Family Systems therapy with PACFA accreditation.
Trauma-Informed Approach: All IFS counselling is delivered with deep respect for your nervous system and healing timeline.
Experiential & Creative: We integrate expressive techniques that help you connect with your parts in meaningful ways.
Safe, Welcoming Space: Our Templestowe practice offers a calm, private environment for deep therapeutic work.
Flexible Options: Available for in-person sessions in Templestowe or online across Melbourne and beyond.
IFS Therapy Clinic: Serving Melbourne from Templestowe
True Self Space is conveniently located in Templestowe, easily accessible for clients across Melbourne's north-east suburbs including Doncaster, Bulleen, Eltham, Heidelberg, Ivanhoe, Balwyn, and surrounding areas.
We also offer online IFS therapy sessions via secure telehealth for clients throughout Melbourne and Victoria.
Ready to Begin Your IFS Therapy Journey?
If you're looking for an experienced IFS therapist in Melbourne who can guide you through compassionate parts work and trauma healing, we'd love to support you.
Book your free 15-minute consultation today to discuss how Internal Family Systems therapy can help you reconnect with your authentic self and heal from within.