Clinician Spotlight: David Polidi, LISW
Internal Family Systems SM (IFS) therapy, developed by Richard Schwartz Ph.D., is more than just a method — it is a paradigm-shifting approach for deeply understanding and appreciating every part of ourselves. The IFS framework encourages a gentle inquiry that allows us to understand ourselves, our families, and our world in a new and holistic way.
We are excited to welcome David, a Licensed Independent Social Worker, as the newest clinician on our Massachusetts IFS Telehealth Collective clinical team. With a passion for connecting with individuals and helping them feel empowered throughout their healing journey, he has a strong interest in helping those who have experienced trauma. David believes that counseling is only as good as the connection you have with someone, therefore building authentic relationships, where people feel safe to express all of their emotions without feeling any judgment.
Q: What personal experiences drew you to this field? How did you know this is the career path you wanted to pursue?
I have always enjoyed working and connecting with people. I found that the helping field was something that made a lot of sense. This field felt like a place where I could offer something positive and I also felt good at it. Working in the public schools didn't really give me a sense that I could empower and help people navigate difficulties as much as I had hoped. So I left the public school system to work in the community with families, where I have been for 10-15 years now. The deeper I got into the work, the more I realized how much I like working with trauma. Once I learned about IFS my mind lit up! In a lot of ways, as I became a part of the IFS community, I felt as if I was returning home. I took a deep dive into the model and I look forward to continuing my journey in IFS and in trauma healing in general.
Q: How do you explain IFS to clients?
I would say that this is a way of mapping out our internal world. It is a way of being able to understand some of the ways this impacts how we relate to others and the world. The model helps us to conceptualize the complexities of our inner world, and how parts of us relate to one another. Our inner world becomes our inner family and we start to have a lot more compassion for ourselves and other people. Understanding and working with each part of ourselves can help us remove a lot of our self-judgment. Interacting with our internal parts can also allow us to be able to really listen to their inner wisdom, to help us through difficult times.
Q: How do you stay grounded in Self energy?
I continue to work on myself and check in to see what parts are dancing around inside of my system. Sometimes it helps to just take a breath, close my eyes, and be mindful of my body and surroundings. Music always helps, as well as nice walks in nature. I meditate sometimes. I try to listen to what my parts are needing from me. Sometimes, just being present with my parts allows them to feel noticed and helps them to relax. This helps me to be more self-led with others, including my clients.
Q: What is it about IFS that speaks to you?
It helps me to feel more connected to myself and to others around me. It is a model that slows things down and allows us to be present in the moment. This space gives us a chance to really listen and understand the other person. In this way, I believe that we are able to have more compassion for one another. It allows every part of a person’s psyche to be heard, and to grant permission before trauma work continues to dark, scary places. I also love how this model inherently trusts that all of the answers lie within the client’s inner world.
Q: What have clients said about what it's like to work with you?
They have shared that they value their connection with me, and feel understood and deeply listened to. They have also expressed how our work has added to their appreciation and confidence in themselves. Through our sessions, client’s have shared that they have been able to revisit scary places in their lives, and be able to heal past wounds. This has helped them feel more connected with people in their current life and build stronger, more meaningful relationships.
Q: Finish this sentence: "Therapy is for you when..
You are feeling like something in your life is just not fitting. You feel that you can feel better but you are feeling stuck or overwhelmed by your current situation. You are looking for someone to understand what you are going through, and help you to find some way to reconnect to yourself and to the outside world. You want to enjoy life again, and be excited and hopeful for your future.
Q: What specialties and clinical interests do you have?
I love working with trauma and integration of EMDR and IFS. I think there is a lot of power in that integration. I have experience and thoroughly enjoy working with couples and am excited to bring that together with IFS. I also enjoy the dynamic of group work.
I believe that counseling is only as good as the connection you have with somebody. I enjoy building authentic relationships, where people feel safe to express all of their emotions without feeling any judgment. Sometimes we can release our feelings through sad tears, other times, a good laugh is needed. I have experience helping people through depression, anxiety, ADHD, couple’s work, and difficult family dynamics.
Q: Shout-out to any of your parts?
Shout out to one of my manager parts: my creative part. It loves to be involved with many things, such as playing the piano, doing magic, and writing. This part likes to find new ways to connect with others and express what is inside. It helps to bring hope and energy into my system.
Q: Outside of your therapeutic work, what do you like to do for fun?
Where do I begin? I love or be with my family, daughter, wife, and golden retriever. I enjoy hiking up a mountain that is close to my house, I love jogging (and listening to podcasts while I run). I play the piano, and compose. But, you don’t want to hear me sing, trust me! One day I would love to write a musical (and maybe include some IFS in it for fun).
I also love magic. I used to perform for kids, and also brought this into my counseling. I love how magic enables us to connect in a deep way, sometimes without any words. There is an understanding and beautiful response to magic and through that is a connection. I love teaching kids magic and helping them feel confident in something, and even encouraging them to use it as a way to make a new friend.
What are parts in IFS? Visit our blog to learn more:
Does David Polidi sound like the right therapist for your path to healing? If you are based in Massachusetts, contact our Client Care Coordinator or call 503-447-3244 to schedule a consultation.
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