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Internal Family Systems
IFS Therapy
Understanding your internal world can be one of the most powerful ways to create lasting emotional change. IFS Therapy offers a compassionate and structured approach to healing by helping you make sense of the different “parts” that live within you, such as the anxious part, the inner critic, the protector, or the part that shuts down when life feels too much.
IFS Therapy helps you move away from seeing yourself as broken or too much and towards understanding that every part of you exists for a reason, often to protect you. By learning to work with these parts instead of against them, you can find balance, self-acceptance and emotional freedom.
At PATH North West, I offer IFS Therapy in person in Manchester and Preston, and online across the UK. Sessions are trauma-informed, gentle, and designed to help you reconnect with your calm, compassionate self – the steady inner presence that can lead your system with confidence and care.
What Is Internal Family Systems Therapy?
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy developed by Dr Richard Schwartz. It’s grounded in the idea that our minds are made up of different parts, each with its own perspective, emotion and motivation.
Rather than trying to eliminate unwanted thoughts or behaviours, IFS therapy helps you listen to them. The goal is to develop an inner relationship with these parts so that you can understand their roles and heal the pain or fear they may be carrying.
For example, you might have a part of you that’s constantly trying to please others, a part that criticises you harshly when you make a mistake, or a part that avoids relationships when you feel unsafe.
IFS views these parts not as symptoms to fix but as messengers to understand. With the guidance of a trained IFS Therapist like myself, you’ll learn how to meet these parts with curiosity and compassion, creating space for deep healing and integration.
How IFS Therapy Works
IFS Therapy is based on two key ideas: parts work and the self. Each of us has a natural, core Self that embodies calmness, clarity, curiosity, compassion and confidence.
Around this self are our parts – subpersonalities that take on roles to help us cope with pain, shame or trauma.
Through IFS therapy, we build trust between these parts and your self. Over time, as protectors relax and exiles are heard and healed, you may notice more calmness, confidence and inner harmony. Sessions are conversational and experiential. You won’t be expected to relive trauma or perform difficult emotional work before you’re ready. The pace is gentle, respectful and led by your comfort.
In therapy, we explore these parts together, identifying:
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Protectors, which try to manage or control situations to keep you safe (like perfectionism, overthinking, or emotional detachment);
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Exiles, which carry painful memories, shame, or vulnerability that the system tries to keep hidden; and
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Firefighters, which act impulsively or distractively, for example through anger, bingeing, or shutting down.
When IFS Therapy Is Used
IFS therapy can be beneficial for a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties, including complex or developmental trauma, emotional neglect, anxiety or chronic self-criticism, depression and low self-worth, relationship difficulties, perfectionism and burnout, dissociation or emotional numbness, and identity confusion or internal conflict.
IFS is especially valuable when you feel stuck repeating old patterns, or when talking therapies haven’t helped you feel fully understood. Because it focuses on your inner system rather than external behaviour alone, IFS often reaches the root of what keeps you in distress. Many clients find IFS deeply transformative because it doesn’t pathologise or shame any part of you – even the ones you dislike. Every part is welcome.
What to Expect in IFS Therapy
At PATH North West, therapy begins with an initial consultation where we’ll explore what’s bringing you to therapy, your goals, and what you hope to change or understand. This first meeting is informal and relaxed, with no pressure to commit right away.
If we decide IFS is a good fit, your sessions may include guided exploration of your internal parts system, identifying patterns that protect or limit you, developing Self-leadership so your compassionate Self can guide the process, healing emotional wounds carried by vulnerable parts, and integrating these insights into your daily life.
Sessions are available in person in Manchester, Preston or online across the UK, and both options are equally effective. Whether you prefer to work in a quiet, private space or from the comfort of your own home, the process remains confidential, supportive and adaptive to your pace. As therapy progresses, we regularly review how you’re feeling and adjust the approach to ensure it continues to meet your needs.
How IFS Therapy Helps
IFS Therapy encourages internal harmony rather than internal conflict. Instead of fighting your emotions or criticising yourself for struggling, you learn to understand what each part needs and how to lead yourself with compassion.
People often describe the benefits of IFS as greater self-awareness and emotional clarity, reduced anxiety and inner tension, a softer inner dialogue, healing from past trauma, improved decision-making, and more balanced relationships.
Over time, IFS can help you feel more connected to who you truly are, not just the roles or defenses you’ve learned to rely on. Research has also shown IFS to be effective in treating trauma-related and mood conditions.
How IFS Therapy Helps Autistic Adults
For autistic adults, IFS Therapy offers a way to understand your inner world without trying to fix or mask parts of yourself. Many autistic people describe having strong internal parts such as a hyper-focused part, a social protector, or a part that manages sensory overwhelm.
IFS helps you recognise how these parts have helped you cope with sensory or social demands, reduce self-blame about emotional regulation challenges, and build self-compassion while understanding your unique ways of thinking and feeling.
Because sessions are client-led and paced carefully, IFS is adaptable for neurodivergent communication styles. You’ll never be expected to conform to neurotypical norms or engage in techniques that feel unnatural. At PATH North West, I specialise in working with autistic adults (as well as neurotypical adults) and tailor therapy to your sensory and cognitive preferences, whether that means a slower pace, clear structure, or flexible online sessions.
How IFS Therapy Helps Adults with ADHD
For adults with ADHD, life can sometimes feel like being pulled in several directions at once. You might recognise parts of yourself that are impulsive, hyper-focused, avoidant, or constantly self-critical.
IFS Therapy provides a non-judgmental space to explore these parts and understand what drives them. For example, the procrastinating part may be trying to protect you from failure or rejection, the restless part may hold unprocessed energy or anxiety, and the perfectionist part may carry shame from being misunderstood.
IFS helps you bring compassion and curiosity to these experiences rather than frustration. Over time, many people with ADHD find IFS improves emotional regulation, self-acceptance and decision-making.
This approach can be especially grounding if you struggle with overwhelm, rejection sensitivity or burnout. Sessions can be structured or flexible depending on your needs and attention patterns.
What to Look for in an IFS informed Therapist
Finding the right Therapist can make a huge difference to your experience.
At PATH North West, therapy is delivered by an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with over 18 years’ experience and specialist training. I work with both neurotypical and neurodivergent adults, offering therapy that’s flexible, evidence-based and compassionate. Whether you’re seeking IFS Therapy online or prefer to attend sessions in person in Manchester or Preston, you’ll receive the same thoughtful, trauma-informed care.
Benefits to working with PATH North West
HCPC-Registered Clinical Psychologist:
You’ll be assessed by a qualified professional with 18+ years of specialist experience in working with neurodiverse adults, including in the NHS.
Private ADHD and Autism Assessments:
No long NHS wait times. We offer timely, confidential and comprehensive assessments tailored to adults.
In-Person or Online:
Insurance registered Health Provider:
Face-to-face sessions available in Chorlton, Manchester (Mondays), or online appointments available (Fridays).
Psychology services that are registered with Aviva, AXA Health, BUPA, and Vitality Health.
Specialist in ADHD & Autism:
Evidence-Based Therapy Available:
Extensive experience working with adults with Autism and ADHD, including late-diagnosis individuals, females and LGBTQ+ clients.
I am experienced in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which may be available post-diagnosis
Begin Your
IFS Therapy Journey
If you’re ready to explore Internal Family Systems Therapy, or you’d like to discuss whether it’s the right fit for you, I invite you to get in touch. You can self-refer directly using the contact form – no GP referral is needed. Together, we can help you reconnect with your Self, heal the parts of you that have been carrying too much for too long, and move forward with clarity and compassion.