Clinician Spotlight: Mieke Kohl
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 Mieke Kohl, a Licensed Certified Social Worker, as the newest clinician on our Massachusetts IFS Telehealth Collective clinical team.With a passion for helping individuals discover their own healing paths, Mieke is particularly interested in supporting people in healing from childhood trauma.Mieke quotes the words of Gabor Mate: “The essence of trauma is a disconnect from the self. Therefore, the essence of healing is not just uncovering one’s past, but reconnecting with oneself in the present.”
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 been fascinated by human behavior and I love working with people. When faced with my own physical and emotional challenges in my early 20’s, I sought out therapy. I was fortunate to find a therapist who combined Authentic Movement (a form of meditative movement) with sounding work and talk therapy and that really shifted things for me internally and externally, in many ways. It’s one thing to talk about emotions and another to allow space for them to be accessed, heard, and expressed in a contained, safe way.
I felt a strong calling to become a clinical social worker in order to guide people on their own healing paths, as I had been helped so significantly. Later, when I learned about IFS, the systemic approach to the psyche resonated in such a deep way. Something just clicked, and I wanted to learn more right away. The first thing I did was go to the Annual IFS Conference after reading about the model and that inspired me to start my IFS training. I then found an IFS therapist to work with so that I could learn IFS from the inside. In order to guide clients into the deeper and potentially more tender or scary places, I wanted to have the experience myself as well. Being a witness and a guide to help others move towards their own healing really is an honor and touches me very deeply.
Q: How do you explain IFS to clients?
IFS offers a different way of relating to strong feelings and unwanted thoughts inside of us. Instead of shutting them down, pushing them away, or getting taken over by them we get curious and offer them compassion and care. It’s a way of getting along with ourselves better, working with our thoughts and emotions in a collaborative way, rather than against ourselves. The process is very gentle, yet can heal on a very deep level.
Q: How do you stay grounded in Self energy?
I like to check in with my body on a regular basis, throughout the day. How am I sitting? How am I breathing? A few slow, deep breaths can do wonders. Every so often I like to ask: Who is here? What parts need attention inside? And what do you need? A little self-compassion can be so helpful. I also try to get a decent amount of exercise and rest each day. A meditation practice helps as well, which for me includes Authentic Movement and sounding work.
Q: What is it about IFS that speaks to you?
Literally everything about this way of viewing the human psyche resonates with me. I am deeply touched by how truly compassionate and non judgmental the IFS approach is. Working with some of the younger, more vulnerable parts and seeing how they shift when they get into relationship with the client’s core Self is just so tender and beautiful. It's amazing what can happen when our systems can trust that there is ever-present, inner source of compassion and wisdom.
We understand that the body has innate healing potential. If we break a bone, the healing begins immediately. The swelling has a protective function. But it can really help to have the help of a medical professional who can guide that bone into place so it can heal properly. And a cast may help too, to create a “holding environment” as they say. Like the body, I believe the psyche is geared towards healing as well, and that with guidance and time it too can heal, find more balance, and function better. Sometimes we just need some outside support.
Q: What have clients said about what it's like to work with you?
They have said that I am a good listener and that I am welcoming of all parts of them, even the parts they really don’t like or may feel embarrassed about. Those are the two biggest things that come up. They have told me that they really appreciate that I respect their process and timing, whatever pace they need to go at is fine. I am careful in that way, so they are not flooded by strong emotions. I make sure they are as comfortable as they can be throughout the process.
Q: Favorite Quote?
Trauma blocks Love. Love heals Trauma. (Frank Anderson, MD and IFS trainer. From his book on healing Trauma).
Or in the words of Gabor Mate: “The essence of trauma is a disconnect from the self. Therefore, the essence of healing is not just uncovering one’s past, but reconnecting with oneself in the present.”
Q: What specialties and clinical interests do you have?
I am very interested in helping people heal from childhood trauma. I also have a particular interest in the needs of HSP’s (Highly Sensitive People). I have worked with a lot of clients with chronic health issues as well.
I have always been very interested in the body/mind connection. We tend to ignore the body as a source of wisdom in this culture especially in the therapy world. Or the connection is pathologized, as when a therapist will say that someone is “somaticizing” (because they can’t share the emotion or pain inside verbally). But if you hear some tragic news or start to feel worried, it’s natural that one may experience a physical reaction. Sometimes parts of us can create or simply exacerbate a health condition in order for us to slow down and see that something needs to change. So we would try and learn more about the intention here. There is no sense of blame at all, instead we bring curiosity and compassion to the entire system to see what needs to be listened to, what may need attention.
I also have a passion for integrating the creative arts into the therapy session if desired. Sometimes using nonverbal ways of accessing and expressing emotions such as movement, drumming, wordless vocalizing, or playing with art materials can help access more of a flow state. Engaging in these uncensored activities can help people view and express their inner world in a new, fresh way. When clients truly come to understand that “all parts of them are welcome” to express themselves in any way at all, without judgment, that’s where the magic can happen.
Q: Shout-out to any of your parts?
The first thing that comes to mind is the part that loves to keep learning. The IFS model is so fascinating to me. There are so many nuances in IFS and this part helps me learn all that I can about this way of working with people. It feels great to be excited about something that can help so many people. I also have a part that loves to share about the model, so working as a program assistant for IFS trainings is also very enjoyable and rewarding.
What are parts in IFS? Visit our blog to learn more:
Q: Outside of your therapeutic work, what do you like to do for fun?
I really enjoy pure play, where the thinking mind can take a backseat, whether it be dancing, playing instruments, singing, dabbling with art materials, or just wandering around in nature. I value quiet time alone but also really enjoy being with people, laughing and sharing our lives. It’s also fun to watch stand up comedians, there are so many good ones online or in person and they can offer a fresh perspective on life. Laughing, and fun in general, is so good for us!
I enjoy anything that sparks that joy of being alive and in connection with others.
Does Mieke Kohl 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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