Internal Family Systems — a healing path to your heart
Ever had one of these thoughts or feelings?
I feel so conflicted and confused over what “next right step” I should take.
If anyone knew my story, they’d reject me.
I want to be healthier in my eating and with movement but can’t seem to get motivated.
I feel anxious and overwhelmed a lot.
I feel stuck. It’s like something inside is holding me back.
I have this constant thought that my deepest problem is that I’m just not good enough.
Every time I’m with “___________” I get triggered.
I’m so lonely, but I’m afraid if I reach out I’ll be rejected - so I don’t, and become the one who rejects me.
I want to do some significant inner work at a deeper level, but I don’t know where to begin.
If one of these statements resonates with you, be encouraged — there is hope!!
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an evidence-based, therapeutic model that helps individuals explore these beliefs and experiences. This exploration can bring relief and healing. Continue reading to learn more about IFS and how it can help you can release old burdens and heal from the inside out.
Getting to Know Your Internal Family System (IFS)
Have you ever wondered about those voices within? The ones who help you “get things done” or the ones that are sometimes unkind to you? The voices that shame you or the ones that keep you locked in some old patterns? In Internal Family Systems (IFS), we call those voices “parts.”
The soul-work of IFS invites us to:
go inward,
connect with the parts that we have become aware of, or the ones we don’t know who show up wanting or needing our attention,
build trust with those parts by getting to hear and know their stories,
work with them to heal and release their burdens.
The result of this work is more freedom in your overall internal system, and more access to the qualities of being led by Self rather than by parts. As this happens, some of these qualities (known as the 8 C’s) are more present in and through the one doing the work: curiosity, calmness, confidence, compassion, creativity, clarity, courage, connectedness.
“As a Level 1 Trained IFS Practitioner, my intent is to help clients gain more access to, and have a deeper experience with, their True Self energy and qualities that have gotten covered up with old beliefs and experiences. As they do, they begin to discover skills (they already have inside) that help build trusting and healing relationships with the members (parts) of their internal family system. When this happens, the client begins to take the compassion and curiosity they offer their parts inside, and starts offering it to everyone they encounter.” — Tracy DePue
As you read further, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what IFS is and how it can address the list of thoughts and feelings mentioned at the beginning of this page. May the increased awareness of your internal family system bring you hope that leads to a deeper experience of peace and joy.
more about IFs and what a guided session involves
The IFS model assumes that we all have many sides of ourselves called "parts" that act and react. For instance, a part of us may feel frustrated with someone while another part is trying hard to feel patient. People have parts that get upset easily or that may block them from fully engaging in life.
In an IFS Guided Session, Tracy will ask questions that help clients get to know their parts and build trusting relationships with them. All relationships build at the speed of trust, and so, a great deal of care is spent focusing on parts and learning their story. As these parts experience trust they begin to reveal more of their story and why they work so hard to “help” the client - even if what they are doing is extreme and not truly helpful. Because parts are working on our behalf, we have a motto in the IFS community that there are “no bad parts.”
Oftentimes, people have parts that guide many of their interactions with others. Some people lead with self-consciousness, distrust, or myriad other feelings. Over time, clients gain understanding and compassion for the parts of themselves connected to these feelings and reactions — and ultimately find relief.
IFS can help you:
Get unstuck with a stressor in your life
Relate to those who trigger you with more compassion and curiosity
Feel more “at home” in your own skin
Sit more freely with life challenges and not be overcome by them
Heal and unburden old wounds
Experience more inner freedom and peace
Discover and experience what it truly means to “love others as you love yourself.”
IFS increases positive communication - both inside and out. Clients learn to talk about their feelings rather than from them, resulting in a greater sense of self leadership. (ex. “I’m noticing a part of me is really frustrated right now.” Rather than, “I am so frustrated.”) With this skill, people learn to talk to others about their frustration rather than letting frustration do the talking. Ultimately, people can learn to heal their parts and relieve suffering. After sessions with Tracy, people often report feeling lighter, more centered, at peace and a greater sense of clarity and confidence.
“I can’t change the facts of my life, but what I can do is change my relationship with them. I change the way that they affect me. I can heal and even find new meaning, holy ground in the same old tales. It can happen through the IFS model. This is the power of Self-energy: to take the old and make me new; to accept the facts of my life and still set me free to live my life.” — from The Spirit-Led Life by Mary Steege
details about guided ifs sessions with tracy depue
Location and Length: While Tracy DePue is located in Little Rock, Arkansas, all 75 minute sessions are held online via Zoom.
Frequency: Clients choose weekly, every two weeks, twice per month, or monthly based on their needs.
Sliding Scale: $50-100 per session. The sliding scale allows individuals to choose the amount that best matches their resources and reflects the value they place on this service.
how to get started
Need more information or want to see if this is a good fit for you? Schedule a FREE 30-minute consultation by filling out the form below.
Ready to get started? Fill out the form and ask for instructions on how to schedule a session.