Clinician Spotlight: Jessica Starr, LCSW
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.
The IFS Telehealth Collective is delighted to introduce you to Jessica Starr, LCSW who is now accepting clients in Oregon. We had the opportunity to sit down with Jessica for a chat about what drew her to IFS therapy and how she incorporates somatic body centered work into her approach to help clients live a fuller and more peaceful life.
Q: What Personal experiences drew you to this field— how did you know this was the career path you wanted to pursue?
JS: Early in my life I struggled with feeling inadequate and felt that I had to perform and achieve to feel special and important. These feelings of unworthiness led to disordered eating and depression as an adolescent and young adult, and I had difficulty finding the type of therapeutic support I needed and struggled for years. Much of my healing occurred through my own practices of study and self-reflection, connecting to nature, and finding community.
Initially, I was drawn to this field because I had such a strong caregiver part and could personally relate to mental health struggles. Today my work as a therapist is much less driven by those caregiver parts and is more Self-led. This work feels like what I was meant to do. Being a therapist is incredibly beautiful, fascinating, and gratifying. It’s such a privilege to be involved in someone's healing journey. My hope is to provide the care and support to others that I needed at a difficult time in my life.
Q: What is it about IFS that speaks to you?
JS: IFS is transformative because it encourages us to attend to all of our parts with curiosity and kindness, instead of further encouraging a narrative that something is wrong with us or that we need to be fixed.
Q: Describe your approach to working with clients
JS: My approach is relaxed, open, curious, and warm. I see clients as good enough just as they are. I hold the belief that clients have the capacity to heal themselves and live fuller, more expansive, vibrant, and peaceful lives. I would be a good fit for clients who are interested in examining the narratives and stories that they have about themselves; who are interested in exploring internalized shame, bias, and oppression about their bodies;, and who want support around the loss and grief of having an emotionally immature, toxic or unhealthy parent. I enjoy incorporating somatic body-centered work such as breathing, meditation, and physical yoga postures in sessions.
Q: What are some internal conflicts you notice in a lot of your clients?
JS: Since I work with many clients struggling with disordered eating and body image, there is a lot of internal conflict between body/food/exercise managers and other parts, typically a firefighter. Part of our work is understanding the positive intention of both the manager and firefighter, developing more of a relationship between the client’s true Self and the manager/firefighter, and showing conflicting parts of how they have similar hopes and goals even though their strategies may be very different.
Q: What social issues, clinical populations, or client presenting problems are you passionate about?
JS: I am passionate about supporting clients struggling with body image, disordered eating, and addictive behaviors with food, and those who are exploring their relationship with alcohol/substances. I have an enormous amount of compassion for clients exploring the pain and loss of a parent that did not meet their emotional needs and is now navigating adult relationships with those parents. Many of my clients have extreme people-pleasing and fawning parts and I enjoy supporting clients around their work with these parts and responses.
Q: How would you finish this thought, “The therapeutic relationship should…
JS: Feel safe, welcoming, open, supportive, and collaborative.
Q: And, “When therapy is working…
JS: You may start to feel like you are coming back home to yourself, you may begin to remember your innate goodness, and you may begin to feel more free. You will also likely feel uncomfortable at times, and eventually feel more comfortable being uncomfortable.
Q: Favorite Quote?
JS: “And the time came when the risk to remain in a tight bud was more painful than the risk to blossom” -Anais Nin
Q: Favorite Book(s)
JS: Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach has been my Bible for almost 20 years. Tara’s work is focused on self-compassion, unhooking from the trance of unworthiness, and remembering our innate goodness. How To Do the Work by Nicole LePera and Already Enough by Lisa Olivera are written by modern psychotherapists and are wonderful supplements to therapy. The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavitch is an incredible memoir about trauma, pain, addiction, loss, resilience, and rebirth — give yourself some space to absorb this one (and a box of tissues). Soberfull by Victoria and How to Quit Like a Woman are my favorite books for exploring your relationship with alcohol. Hunger Hope and Healing by Sarah Joy Marsh is a yoga approach for those struggling with disordered eating and body issues.
Q; If you weren't a therapist, what career might you have?
JS: It’s hard to imagine not having a therapeutic role in some way. I teach trauma-informed yoga and movement classes at various yoga studios and at Adidas Headquarters which is a sweet balance to being a therapist.
Q: How do you stay grounded in Self energy?
JS: I can most easily access Self when I am in nature, especially while running or hiking on trails with some solitude. Soaking in the sunshine- preferably in the desert, but even if just while sitting on my front porch step, is one of my favorite pleasures. Playing with my pup Ziggy softens all my parts very quickly and invites smiles, laughter, and pure simple joy.
Does Jessica Starr, LCSW sound like the therapist to guide you on your journey of Self-discovery? If you are based in Oregon, contact our Client Care Coordinator or call 503-447-3244 to schedule a consultation.
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