Approach
Somatic IFS
Healing through the body and the self
Somatic IFS is an integration of Internal Family Systems therapy with somatic (body-based) awareness. Developed by Susan McConnell, it brings attention to the physical sensations, movements, and breath patterns that arise alongside our inner parts — recognizing that the body holds as much wisdom as the mind.
In a Somatic IFS session, we slow down and listen — not just to thoughts and feelings, but to what the body is expressing. A tightness in the chest, a held breath, a heaviness in the shoulders — these are not obstacles to healing. They are the language of parts that have been carrying burdens for a long time.
What is Internal Family Systems?
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a transformative, evidence-based psychotherapy developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz. It holds that the mind is naturally multiple — we all have an inner family of parts, each with its own perspective, feelings, and role.
At the center of this inner system is the Self — a core of calm, curiosity, compassion, and clarity that is never damaged, no matter what we have been through. IFS therapy helps you access that Self and, from that grounded place, build a healing relationship with your parts.
How somatic awareness deepens the work
- Brings attention to physical sensations as direct messages from parts
- Uses breath, movement, and posture to access parts that words alone cannot reach
- Helps release burdens that are held in the body, not just the mind
- Supports nervous system regulation alongside inner healing
- Honors the body as an equal partner in the therapeutic process
Who this approach can help
Somatic IFS can be especially helpful for people who feel disconnected from their bodies, who have experienced trauma, or who find that talk therapy alone leaves something unresolved. It is also well-suited for those who are curious about their inner world and want a gentle, respectful way to explore it.
- Anxiety and chronic stress
- Trauma and PTSD
- Depression
- Chronic pain and somatic symptoms
- Relationship difficulties
- Life transitions and identity questions
- Developmental trauma and complex PTSD