We know that finding a therapist you feel comfortable with and who is effective at helping you can feel like a daunting search. It’s one thing to decide that you want or need therapy. But from there, how do you wade through the countless treatment types, credentials, and specializations, let alone determine the qualities and ineffable chemistry that makes a therapist a good fit?

One of the most powerful synergies in therapy today is the combination of IFS and EMDR. These two approaches compliment each other. You might have parts that are more comfortable processing the charge of traumatic memories using EMDR before exploring parts in more depth through IFS. On the other hand, the foundation of IFS might make EMDR feel safer and more approachable as you do that work.

The IFS model can shed light on what's happening inside us during trauma. IFS recognizes that we all have an inborn, core essence of spiritual intelligence, perspective, confidence and compassion—our Self energy. However, we also have parts that unconsciously take on different protective roles and survival strategies in response to life experiences, particularly traumatic ones.