IFS-TC Founders
Meet the team behind the IFS Telehealth Collective
Marcella Cox, M.S. - Co-founder & Executive Director
- Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
- Certified IFS Therapist
- Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Founder of Kindful Body
- Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Instructor
- Certified Daring Way Facilitator (Dr. Brené Brown)
Marcella Cox, M.S.
Co-founder and Executive Director Marcella Cox was inspired to create the IFS Telehealth Collective in early 2020 after launching a virtual group practice for eating disorders in her home state of California. As a therapist with a passion for helping others in recovery from disordered eating and body shame, Marcella found Internal Family Systems as well as her work with Mindful Self-Compassion to be a natural fit for her clients. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Marcella has a strong desire to build community for therapists who are on the front lines serving others. She brings experience developing and running a successful virtual group practice specializing in teletherapy.
“I have been awed by the healing my clients have experienced with the IFS model, and I was inspired to create the IFS Telehealth Collective so that more people could benefit from transforming from the inside out. It’s an honor to work with like-hearted professionals who are as passionate about this approach as I am and who share my hope for healing in the world.”
Paul Ginter, Ed.D.
Co-founder Paul Ginter is a licensed psychologist who serves as the Clinical Director for IFS Telehealth Collective, bringing more than 30 years of experience in Internal Family Systems. Working closely with IFS developer Richard Schwartz, Paul is an IFS Senior Lead Trainer who has traveled the globe training professionals on nearly every continent. In addition to IFS, Paul facilitates mindfulness meditation courses for businesses, conferences and clinical groups. Based in Kalamazoo, MI, Paul is also co-founder of the Center for Psychotherapy and Wellness and previously served as the Organizational Learning Officer at Fetzer Institute, a philanthropic privately operated foundation.
“After years of witnessing the healing and transformative power of Internal Family Systems Therapy, I’m excited for what can happen through this IFS Telehealth Collective. I feel very fortunate and privileged to be able to work with a group of skilled IFS therapists in order to provide the highest possible care to those they serve.”
Paul Ginter, Ed.D. - Co-Founder and Clinical Director
- Licensed Psychologist
- IFS Senior Lead Trainer
- Certified IFS Therapist
- Organizational Development
- Mindfulness Instructor
Mariel Pastor, M.A. - Co-Founder and Clinical Director
- Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
- IFS Lead Trainer
- Certified IFS Therapist
- Developer of Character Mapping for actors, writers, directors
Mariel Pastor, M.A.
Based in Portland, Oregon, Co-founder and Clinical Director Mariel Pastor is a licensed marriage and family therapist and supervisor. As an IFS Lead Trainer who studied closely with Richard Schwartz beginning in the 1990s, Mariel has trained across the U.S. and internationally, and is widely known for her clarity, warmth, and humor. Her love of systems theory is founded in Integral Psychology as she incorporates somatic psychotherapies and spirituality within the framework of IFS. Mariel authored the Unburdened Internal System mandala and corresponding workshops, as well as the official IFS Level 1 training manual. In addition to IFS, Mariel has developed Character Mapping, an online program for actors, writers and directors to build compelling characters while using their craft to heal themselves.
“I’ve witnessed profound healing through IFS and believe that doing deep work is a generous act - benefiting individuals and transforming their relationships and communities. My deepest hope for the IFS Telehealth Collective is that all healing that happens here will have ripple effects felt far and wide.”