Therapeutic Approaches: Internal Family Systems (IFS), Attachment and Emotion Focused Therapy
My therapy approach recognises that the therapeutic relationship is a powerful foundation for growth. Informed by Internal Family Systems Therapy, together we’ll explore the deeper roots of your experience with curiosity and compassion, helping you build emotional resilience and create lasting change.
Therapy Approaches
Internal Family Systems (IFS) & Compassionate Therapy
Our minds are made up of different parts that have developed as a response to our past experiences — some protect us, while others hold deep emotional wounds. In our work together, we will compassionately connect with and explore these parts to uncover their protective roles and ways they show up in your life. IFS therapy supports you to understand each part, to reconnect with your most authentic self and build greater internal harmony, resilience, and connection.
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The way we connect with others is shaped by our earliest relationships. Attachment Therapy explores these patterns, helping you form a deep understanding of how the past is influencing your present relationships. Whether you struggle with trust, emotional intimacy, or feeling secure in relationships, this approach supports you to create a stronger sense of connection and safety and healthier relationships — both with yourself and those around you.
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Acceptance + Commitment Therapy & Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
Difficult emotions are a part of being human, but they don’t have to control you. ACT helps you accept your emotions rather than fight them, while EFT allows you to process and release them in a supportive way. Together, these approaches encourage you to understand your current emotions and behaviours and support you to sit with and feel difficult emotions. Where it helps, I also draw on creative and experiential techniques. The goal is to build the emotional resilience and confidence to move through challenges.
What To Expect in a Session
Therapy isn’t a quick fix, it’s a space for deep self-exploration. Together, we will curiously explore what happens internally and what may be keeping familiar patterns going.
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Notice when your parts show up
We start by recognising the situations, interactions and feelings that set off familiar reactions, whether that’s replaying a conversation, criticising yourself or feeling responsible for someone else’s emotions.
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Get to know the parts behind your reactions
We get curious about what each part is afraid of, what it’s trying to prevent, and why it works so hard to protect you. Many of these reactions began as ways of coping, which is often why they’re so hard to shift.
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Build a different relationship
You’ll learn to meet difficult thoughts and feelings with curiosity, rather than judging them or trying to push them away, so you can relate to them from a calmer, more compassionate place.
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Practise responding differently
As these parts feel understood, they often loosen their grip. Gradually, you can stay with your feelings, express your needs, set boundaries and make decisions that feel steady rather than driven by fear.