What is IFS?
IFS (Internal Family Systems Therapy) is an evidenced based somatic therapy that believes we are all divided in to parts. For example, saying "a part of me feels excited for my new job but a part of me feels nervous" is already a way we know IFS to be true. Those in the practice of IFS therapy also believe that while the mind is a valuable asset to one's system, the body holds a lot of information as well.
Some parts have a job to help/protect you while other parts of you are holding pain. We get to know these parts by identifying where we feel or sense them in or around our body. And with Self-Energy, our unlimited internal resource available for all our parts to receive care, compassion, and clarity - as well as other nurturing qualities - our parts that are working hard can finally get the break they need. Or parts that are holding pain can finally get the help they need. All in hopes of feeling more understanding and balanced in your life internally and externally.
IFS is also called Parts Work or Inner Child Work.
I recommend reading "No Bad Parts" by the founder of the IFS model, Dr. Dick Schwartz or watching a video in the Resource page to learn more. You can also watch the Inside Out films as they are inspired by IFS.
What are Immersive IFS Sessions?
Immersive Sessions are intended to spend more time with your Self and your parts. I have found that 75 minute and 90 minute sessions are the magic number for a "fuller" IFS session. I offer 50-60 minute sessions after clients have had several Immersive Sessions. This can be discussed during the intake and adjusted throughout the course of therapy.
Are you accepting new clients?
I have limited availability at this time but do have some openings. Please contact me to schedule a consultation.
How often should we have sessions?
Weekly sessions are recommended to establish both the therapeutic relationship as well as the practice of IFS work. If weekly sessions don't feel available, there is the possibility for bi-weekly sessions but I recommend starting out weekly for at least the first month. Immersive sessions (3-4 hours) are also available as an adjunct to current therapy work and can happen once a month, every few months, or once a year. Please contact me for more information on immersive sessions.
How many sessions will it take for me to feel different?
This can vary from person to person depending on how they feel with me as the therapist, what may be happening in your life, and what parts are either allowing or not allowing this process of internal inquiry to happen. Generally, folks start feeling a shift and relief from their symptoms within a few sessions and deep healing work can happen within a few weeks. Again, this is very dependent on our therapeutic alliance, external life constraints, and how willing parts are to start to look at things differently.
Do you offer telehealth, online video sessions, or phone sessions?
Yes, I am an online, remote therapist with the exception for limited in-person sessions based in Makawao, HI. I use a secure HIPAA compliant video conferencing and other tools to prevent breaches for online and phone sessions.
Telehealth can be just as effective as in-person sessions and a convenient and flexible way to meet. I am available to meet online with any resident within the states of California and Hawaii.
Do you accept insurance?
I currently only accept HMSA. For those with other insurances, full payment will be due at time of session. I am an out of network provider and can provide a super bill for you to submit a claim to your insurance provider for reimbursement for all or a portion of your bill. Please go to the Get Started tab and click on Rates and Insurance to learn more.
Do you offer reduced rates/sliding scale?
As of now, my reduced rate and sliding scale availability is full. But please feel free to ask to be put on a waitlist, for a list of affordable referrals, or other ways to make therapy more affordable.
What happens during the initial 15-minute phone consultation for therapy?
We will discuss your therapy needs and how I can help you meet them. The time is for us to see if I'm the right fit therapist for you and if you would benefit from our work together.
What happens during the first therapy session?
During the first session, I will go over legal and ethical practices that are important to share with you as well as an intake process to understand your history a bit. Then we will establish what is important to focus on in the initial phases of therapy and also introduce the IFS model.