Friends of the Collective Spotlight: Jenna Riemersma
We are so thrilled for you to get to know Jenna Riemersma (she/her), LPC, Certified IFS Therapist and Clinical Consultant, EMDR, CSAT & CMAT Supervisor. Jenna has created a plethora of IFS resources from the heart, joining the efforts of so many who are devoted to making IFS accessible to those who are suffering. Not only is Jenna an experienced IFS therapist, she is an all-around incredible human with an old-soul. Her desire is to make heartfelt connections to people through written word, speaking engagements, and consulting in a deeply personal way.
Thank you, Jenna, for being a Friend of the Collective and for sharing your work with our community!
Do your services operate under any particular name?
Tell us briefly about yourself and how you discovered the IFS model.
Part of my daily morning practice is sitting in prayer and meditation. For about a year, I had been experiencing what I can only describe as a tangible "pull" in my gut as I sat down each morning, and a deep sense that I was being "called" to step into something new that hadn't yet been revealed.
After a year of this I was pretty frustrated, and decided to start writing down a list of possible options (you know, in case Spirit needed 'help' coming up with ideas:-). Most of them were related to business, but for some reason I wrote "Martina Luther" in bold letters and then crossed it off. "Martina Luther" meant the female version of Martin Luther - someone who brings a challenging message to the church. I had no idea why I'd written that down, but I told Spirit very clearly that was the one thing I ABSOLUTELY would NOT do.
The next day I discovered IFS.
It would be more accurate to say that IFS discovered me, and I knew immediately that this model made everything make sense, and offered hope that I'd never experienced before.
I went on to write my first book, Altogether You, which integrates IFS with spirituality and "translates" the IFS model for people of Christian, Catholic, and Protestant faiths.
So you can see about how well my arguing with Spirit worked out for me. LOL.
Please describe your work as an IFS therapist and how long you have been working with the Model.
Integration of the IFS model with various modalities and populations excites me and is the focus of my writing, speaking, client work, and consultation groups. I particularly specialize in integrating IFS with spirituality, trauma healing, EMDR, psychodrama, sexuality, and addiction. My newest book, Altogether Us: Integrating the IFS Model with Key Modalities, Communities, and Trends, is a fairly comprehensive reference book on integrating IFS with everything from polyvagal theory to EMDR to couples to groups, and it grew out of my IFS integration consultation groups.
Is there something in particular about working with IFS that excites you?
The idea that Self is in there - in you, in me - is groundbreaking, and the idea that "all parts are welcome" (regardless of the painful feelings or behaviors they are stuck in), is revolutionary. We all carry light, and we don't effort our way into it, we surrender to release it.
I love that this way of understanding ourselves, our challenges, and our healing, is so profoundly optimistic and non-pathologizing. That freedom from judgment and shame creates the safe container that we all deeply long for and truly need.
I also love that the IFS model is broad enough to explain virtually every form of human behavior and suffering, as well as the clear path forward to healing. It makes everything make sense and brings hope to even the most profoundly challenging patterns and emotions.
Tell us about the IFS-inspired resource you’ve created that is featured on Friends of the Collective?
My heart is to join the efforts of so many who love the model, to get it into the hands of those who are suffering. Toward that end I have a number of IFS resources for people:
*1) Altogether Us: Integrating the IFS Model with Key Modalities, Communities, and Trends is an almost 700 page incredible resource that I've had the honor of compiling, along with Dr. Richard Schwartz and 30 other lead trainers and IFS experts. It was just released and I'm excited to say that a percentage of proceeds from the book go toward the IFS Foundation Fellows Program, providing IFS training for people from traditionally marginalized communities.
Every chapter is written in highly accessible language and is a stand-alone guide for integrating IFS with a remarkable array of topics including: EMDR, Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy, Somatic Practices, Groups, Polyvagal Theory, Play Therapy, Sandtray, Psychodrama, Addictive Processes, Disordered Eating, Sexuality, Couples, Parents, Adoption, Ancestral Lineage Healing, and the Enneagram. Intersectionality chapters speak to the use of IFS in providing culturally-affirming care to clients with traditionally marginalized identities, including Black, Asian & Pacific Islander, LatinX, Native American, and Neurodivergent clients, as well as clients navigating sexual orientation and gender identity.
I'm excited that it's been a #1 best-selling new release on Amazon for this first full month that it's been released, and it can be found here:
*2) I've created an IFS shorthand tool called Move Toward, because the spirit of IFS is to Move Toward all parts of ourselves with curiosity and compassion. It shortens the essence of the IFS model into three words to make it easy to check in with our parts.
Information on Move Toward and lots of free Move Toward IFS meditations and videos can be found on my website: https://jennariemersma.com/move-toward/ as well as in Chapter 2 of Altogether Us, which includes a 1-page guided Move Toward journaling worksheet.
*3) Altogether You: Experiencing personal and spiritual transformation with Internal Family Systems Therapy is my first book that integrates IFS with Christian spirituality. I'm really honored to say that it was a #1 best-selling new release on Amazon when it came out in 2020, and can be found here:
I also offer an engaging, practical online workshop that teaches the concepts of the IFS model from a Christian faith perspective, paralleling the book. That workshop can be found here:
Altogether You Workshop – Jenna Riemersma
*4) I LOVE speaking and training others in the IFS model! I regularly keynote conferences, offer IFS workshops, speak on podcasts and webinars (including several with Dr. Richard Schwartz), and am a guest speaker at retreats.
A sampling of webinars and podcasts can be found here:
Speaking inquiries can be directed here:
*5) I offer many free IFS meditations on Insight Timer. I have meditations for morning parts check ins, working with the inner critic, managing triggers, working with physical pain, overwhelm and stress, addiction, betrayal trauma, new beginnings, dealing with blocks ("what's in the way is the way"), and many more. People can follow me and listen to my IFS meditations for free here:
Jenna Riemersma | Insight Timer
*6) I offer meditations (and hopefully soon, courses) on the Sentur IFS app, which can be found here:
*7) I offer multiple online consultation groups for clinicians who want to grow in their work with the IFS model. Information about those groups, as well as individual consultation, and how to get on the waiting lists, can be found here:
What inspired you to create your products/services?
IFS has changed everything about my life, my clinical practice, my spiritual journey, and my relationships. I am inspired to share that goodness with others!
Who would benefit most from your IFS resources and how can people access your product/service?
My books are available on Amazon and in retail outlets like Barnes and Noble. All other resources can be accessed through the links above.
Please describe any future plans or next steps for your service/product that you would like to share.
I would love to give a TEDx talk on IFS (please email me if you have an "in" with a TEDx event)!
I also have ideas germinating about bringing IFS to business leaders and influencers, who in turn could bring it to the many people they lead.
We’d love to hear a success story or positive feedback you’ve received from someone who has experienced your IFS resource.
Dr. Richard Schwartz, who is a friend and very dear mentor to me, graciously wrote the introduction to my first book. This is an excerpt from his comments:
"Reading this book (Altogether You) made my heart sing. With wit, raw self-disclosure, and engaging writing, Jenna translates my life's work for Christians...This is a groundbreaking and courageous book." - Dr. Richard Schwartz
What is your favorite IFS aligned quote, poem, song, book, TV show or movie? Why?
How I Became A Warrier, by Jeff Foster:
Once, I ran from fear
so fear controlled me.
Until I learned to hold fear like a newborn.
Listen to it, but not give in.
Honour it, but not worship it.
Fear could not stop me anymore.
I walked with courage into the storm.
I still have fear,
but it does not have me.
Once, I was ashamed of who I was.
I invited shame into my heart.
I let it burn.
It told me, “I am only trying
to protect your vulnerability”.
I thanked shame dearly,
and stepped into life anyway,
unashamed, with shame as a lover.
Once, I had great sadness
buried deep inside.
I invited it to come out and play.
I wept oceans. My tear ducts ran dry.
And I found joy right there.
Right at the core of my sorrow.
It was heartbreak that taught me how to love.
Once, I had anxiety.
A mind that wouldn’t stop.
Thoughts that wouldn’t be silent.
So I stopped trying to silence them.
And I dropped out of the mind,
and into the Earth.
Into the mud.
Where I was held strong
like a tree, unshakeable, safe.
Once, anger burned in the depths.
I called anger into the light of myself.
I felt its shocking power.
I let my heart pound and my blood boil.
Listened to it, finally.
And it screamed, “Respect yourself fiercely now!”.
“Speak your truth with passion!”.
“Say no when you mean no!”.
“Walk your path with courage!”.
“Let no one speak for you!”
Anger became an honest friend.
A truthful guide.
A beautiful wild child.
Once, loneliness cut deep.
I tried to distract and numb myself.
Ran to people and places and things.
Even pretended I was “happy”.
But soon I could not run anymore.
And I tumbled into the heart of loneliness.
And I died and was reborn
into an exquisite solitude and stillness.
That connected me to all things.
So I was not lonely, but alone with All Life.
My heart One with all other hearts.
Once, I ran from difficult feelings.
Now, they are my advisors, confidants, friends,
and they all have a home in me,
and they all belong and have dignity.
I am sensitive, soft, fragile,
my arms wrapped around all my inner children.
And in my sensitivity, power.
In my fragility, an unshakeable Presence.
In the depths of my wounds,
in what I had named “darkness”,
I found a blazing Light
that guides me now in battle.
I became a warrior
when I turned towards myself.
And started listening.
– Jeff Foster
Anything else you want readers to know?
People have consistently told me that I "have to" have a social media presence. That I "should" do it, or I won't be "taken seriously."
I am truly happy (and a little jealous) for those who use social media easily, and for whom it is a life-giving space of support, education, and connection. I wish that was me, but it's not. My whole inner system struggles mightily with being on social media, and putting things out there into the ether.
I caved in and tried it once. My team promised me "they would handle it" and I "wouldn't have to touch it." Turns out that's not true, if I want what's being posted to reflect my heart. I had to interact with it, shape it, engage with it, and it just was not good for my soul.
So I stopped.
That was the right decision for me and all my parts, but there's a big price to pay in today's world for not having a presence on social.
I don't have a way of "influencing," "marketing," or "promoting." Just me. Speaking to people's heart through my written word, by speaking, by consulting. And I like it that way. Old-fashioned, and personal.
How can people learn more about your offerings and stay in touch?
We’re so pleased to be able to offer this resource and see our IFS community connected in a new way. Visit the Friends of the Collective page to browse the current profiles or submit your own! For the full step-by-step guide to creating your entry & advertising on our site, start by downloading this PDF.
