Published by The Counselling HUB · Reviewed June 2026
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact the 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is offered at The Counselling HUB in Nanaimo. It is a transformative approach for individuals dealing with trauma, anxiety, and inner conflict.
IFS is based on the idea that our minds are made up of multiple 'parts' - like a family inside us. You might have a part that is highly critical, a part that feels anxious, and a part that tries to numb the pain. Often, these parts are in conflict, leading to feelings of being stuck or overwhelmed.
IFS helps you understand that even the most destructive parts are actually trying to protect you. By getting to know these parts with curiosity and compassion, rather than trying to banish them, you can help them let go of their extreme roles. This allows your core 'Self' - which is calm, compassionate, and confident - to lead.
IFS is recognized as an evidence-based practice for treating trauma, anxiety, and depression. In an IFS session, we start by identifying a feeling or thought you are struggling with. Your counsellor will guide you to focus inward and connect with the part of you that holds that feeling.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is available in person in Nanaimo and virtually across Vancouver Island. Book a session or consultation through our online portal to get started.
We will ask it questions: What is it afraid would happen if it stopped doing its job? How is it trying to help you? As you listen to these parts, they begin to relax, allowing deeper healing to occur.
It is a gentle, non-pathologizing process that demystifies why you feel and act the way you do. IFS is particularly beneficial for people who feel internally conflicted, struggle with harsh self-criticism, or have a history of trauma. It is well-suited for those who feel that traditional talk therapy has not quite reached the root of their pain.
The length of treatment varies, but many clients begin to feel a shift in their internal dialogue within a few months. If you are curious about how IFS can help you, we can explore it together.
This approach is often used in trauma counselling and individual counselling. To talk through whether it fits what you are experiencing, book a consultation online.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Everyone has different parts or sides to their personality (e.g., 'part of me wants to go, but another part is afraid'). IFS just gives us a structured way to understand and work with those normal internal dynamics.
That is very common at first. We move slowly. Sometimes, a part of you might be skeptical or protective about the process itself, and we start by simply acknowledging and respecting that skepticism.
No, IFS does not use hypnosis. You remain fully conscious and in control throughout the session. It is more like a guided mindfulness practice where you focus your attention inward.
Yes. Often, our parts hold emotional pain that manifests physically as tension, headaches, or fatigue. As we heal the emotional parts, clients frequently report a reduction in physical symptoms.