KINSHIP counseling COLLECTIVE
IFS AND PARTS WORK THERAPY
San Francisco & Bay Area
Online in California & Oregon
ALL OF YOU IS WELCOME
Honoring Every Part of You
We all carry different parts of ourselves—each with its own story, emotions, and purpose. Personal experiences have shaped some parts, while others take the weight of what has been passed down through generations. Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, or Parts Work, is a powerful way to connect with these inner parts with compassion, curiosity, and care.
At Kinship Counseling Collective, we understand that healing isn’t about fixing or silencing parts of yourself—it’s about listening, understanding, and helping them work together in balance.
HOW IFS THERAPY CAN SUPPORT YOU.
Have you ever felt like different parts of you were pulling in opposite directions? Maybe one part of you longs for rest, while another pushes you to keep going. Perhaps there’s a voice inside that criticizes you, but another part wants to feel accepted.
IFS therapy helps you explore these inner voices and patterns in a way that feels gentle, affirming, and deeply healing. It’s especially helpful for those struggling with trauma, anxiety, self-judgment, or feeling disconnected from themselves. Rather than seeing these emotions as problems, IFS helps you understand them as parts of you that have been trying to protect you in the best way they know how.
Through this work, you can begin to create a sense of inner peace, self-trust, and wholeness—not by forcing change but by making space for all of who you are.
Healing the Burdens We Carry
For many of us, the struggles we face are not just our own. We carry the weight of those who came before us. These are known as legacy burdens—the emotions, beliefs, and survival strategies passed down through generations.
You may feel this in the pressure to always be strong, in the fear of taking up too much space, or in the silence around pain that was never fully acknowledged. These burdens are not just personal; they are woven into the fabric of families, cultures, and histories shaped by trauma, displacement, systemic oppression, and survival.
IFS therapy allows you to recognize, honor, and release these burdens in a way that respects where they came from—while also freeing you to live in a way that is truly your own. Healing yourself is also an act of healing your ancestors, your community, and the generations yet to come.
What is IFS & Parts Work Therapy?
IFS therapy is a gentle and empowering approach that views the mind as having different "parts"—like the Inner Critic, Protector, Wounded Child, or People-Pleaser—each trying to keep you safe in its own way. Through therapy, we help you:
Recognize and understand your different parts
Heal wounds and unburden past experiences
Shift from self-judgment to self-compassion
Develop a stronger connection with your true, authentic Self
Unlike traditional talk therapy, IFS focuses on befriending and integrating your inner parts, rather than pushing them away or "fixing" them.
How Can IFS Therapy Help?
IFS and Parts Work are effective for:
🌿 Healing Trauma & PTSD – Processing past wounds while creating safety and stability within.
💭 Managing Anxiety & Depression – Understanding the inner conflicts that contribute to distress.
🛡️ Soothing the Inner Critic – Releasing self-doubt, perfectionism, and feelings of unworthiness.
💫 Building Self-Compassion – Learning to care for yourself with the same kindness you give others.
🌈 Identity & Personal Growth – Exploring cultural, racial, and LGBTQIA+ identity with self-acceptance.
💔 Navigating Grief & Life Transitions – Processing emotions in a way that honors your journey.
If you’ve ever felt torn between different feelings, stuck in repetitive patterns, or struggling with self-doubt, IFS can help you move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and inner peace.
Why Working With a BIPOC or Queer IFS Therapist Matters
The world often tells us which parts of ourselves are acceptable and which are not. It teaches us which stories deserve to be told and which should be buried. As BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals, many of us have had to silence or hide parts of ourselves just to exist safely.
Working with a therapist who understands these realities means you don’t have to explain or justify your experiences before the healing even begins. You don’t have to worry about being misunderstood when you talk about racism, homophobia, or cultural disconnection. Instead, therapy becomes a space where every part of you—especially the ones that have been ignored, erased, or pushed away—can finally be seen and held with care.
Healing is not just about the past; it’s about making space for joy, liberation, and self-acceptance. Through IFS, we can explore what it means to reclaim the parts of you that deserve love, belonging, and freedom.
Begin Your Journey Back to Yourself
"There are no bad parts. Every part of you is trying to help in some way." From Dr. Richard Schwartz (Founder of IFS Therapy)
No part of you is wrong or broken. Every part of you is trying to protect you in its own way—even the ones that feel like they work against you. Through IFS therapy, we can listen to those parts, soften their pain, and create space for a more peaceful, compassionate relationship with yourself.
"The wound is the place where the light enters you."
– Rumi
“Healing yourself is an act of healing those who came before you and those who will come after you."
– Unknown
FAQs
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nternal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is a compassionate, evidence-based approach to healing that sees the mind as made up of different “parts” that carry emotions, memories, and protective roles. Rather than trying to suppress or change these parts, IFS helps you understand, heal, and integrate them—allowing your true Self to lead with clarity, confidence, and compassion.
IFS is particularly helpful for those struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, self-criticism, and emotional blocks. Instead of seeing these struggles as problems, IFS teaches us to see them as parts of us that are trying to help in the only way they know how.
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IFS therapy helps you explore your inner world by:
Identifying different parts of yourself (e.g., an inner critic, a people-pleaser, a protective part).
Understanding their roles and why they react the way they do.
Listening with curiosity rather than judgment.
Healing wounded parts so they no longer have to carry old burdens.
Reconnecting with your true Self, the core part of you that is confident, calm, and compassionate.
Rather than trying to “fix” yourself, IFS allows you to build a trusting relationship with all parts of yourself.
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IFS is helpful for a wide range of challenges, including:
Trauma & PTSD – Healing painful memories and responses without re-traumatization.
Anxiety & Depression – Understanding the parts of you that feel stuck or overwhelmed.
Self-Criticism & Perfectionism – Softening the inner critic and developing self-compassion.
Relationship Struggles – Understanding how past wounds impact connection and communication.
Life Transitions & Identity Exploration – Supporting BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ individuals in self-discovery and belonging.
Grief & Loss – Processing pain and honoring emotions without being overwhelmed by them.
IFS therapy is not about getting rid of parts of you—it’s about helping them find peace, trust, and a new way of being.
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Legacy burdens are emotional, psychological, and systemic burdens that are passed down through generations. These can include:
Cultural and racial trauma
Family patterns of silence, survival, or hyper-independence
Unspoken grief, oppression, and intergenerational pain
IFS helps recognize, release, and transform these inherited burdens without disconnecting from your roots. Healing yourself is also an act of healing your ancestors and future generations.
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As BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals, many of us have parts that have learned to stay silent, hide, or carry the weight of oppression and survival. Working with a therapist who understands these realities without needing explanation allows for deeper healing.
A culturally responsive therapist can help you:
Explore internalized oppression, cultural identity, and belonging
Heal generational wounds with care and respect
Create a therapy space where all of you—especially the parts that have been silenced—are seen and honored
Healing is not just about the past—it’s about reclaiming joy, liberation, and self-acceptance.
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An IFS session is guided by your pace and needs. Sessions often include:
Checking in with your emotions and body sensations to identify which parts need attention.
Dialoguing with your parts to understand their fears, beliefs, and needs.
Guided visualization and mindfulness techniques to connect with your Self.
Healing wounded parts by unburdening past experiences.
You don’t have to relive trauma or force yourself to talk about painful memories. IFS works gently and safely, allowing healing to happen when you’re ready.
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Not at all! IFS is a great starting point whether you are new to therapy or have tried other approaches that didn’t fully address your needs. It offers a unique way to heal without feeling like you have to “fix” yourself.
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Healing is a personal process, and the number of sessions depends on your goals and needs. Some people notice shifts in just a few sessions, while others prefer ongoing therapy for deeper healing and integration. Your therapist will work with you to create a plan that feels right for you.
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We offer a free 15-minute consultation where you can ask questions, share what you're looking for, and see if IFS therapy is the right fit.
Accessible Online Therapy
Recognizing the importance of accessibility, we offer online therapy sessions for residents of California and Oregon. This allows you to receive support from the comfort of your own space, ensuring convenience and continuity of care.
Meet Our Team
Ready to Begin?
Healing starts with connection. Whether you're seeking therapy, clinical supervision, or simply a space where you can feel seen and supported, we’re here to walk alongside you. You don’t have to do this alone. Reach out today, and let’s take the next step together.
