Sometimes, it can feel like different parts of you are pulling in different directions. You want to move forward, but you also feel afraid. You want connection while at the same time want to run away.

Internal Family Systems, also known as IFS, is a therapy approach that helps you slow down and understand what is happening beneath the surface. Rather than judging or suppressing parts of yourself, IFS helps you get to know yourself better with curiosity, compassion, and clarity.

At Paul Hoskins Counseling LLC, I offer IFS therapy in Kalamazoo, MI and throughout Michigan. This approach can help individuals better understand their emotions, heal past wounds, and develop a more peaceful internal state.

Internal Family Systems is an evidence-based therapy approach developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz. It’s an approach to therapy with the view that the mind is composed of subpersonalities, or “parts,” that shape who you are.

IFS therapy can be helpful for people who feel stuck in patterns they do not fully understand. You may know logically that you want to respond differently, communicate differently, or feel differently, but something inside still reacts before you can act.

IFS also helps with anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, stress management, relationship problems, family conflicts, grief, and emotional overwhelm. If general talk therapy hasn’t been enough, IFS might be the better option for you.

Trauma can significantly impact your relationships. For instance, conflict, criticism, distance, or uncertainty can spark strong emotions and reactions. It can also stop us from being emotionally vulnerable or setting boundaries with our partner.

Conflicts with others often begin as conflicts within ourselves. When you begin to understand these inner patterns, you can often show up differently in your relationships. You may become less reactive, more emotionally present, and better able to communicate what you actually need.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I often look at both internal patterns and relational patterns. Whether you are coming to therapy individually or as a couple, IFS can provide a helpful map for understanding what is happening beneath the surface and help these parts of you finally heal.

Item I’m Paul Hoskins, and I provide online therapy for clients in Kalamazoo and throughout Michigan. Teletherapy allows you to receive support from a private, comfortable space while still engaging in meaningful therapeutic work.

My style is warm, direct, and collaborative. I work to create a space where you feel understood, but I will also help you look honestly at the patterns that may be keeping you stuck.

During your IFS therapy sessions, we may explore questions such as:

• What parts of you show up when you feel anxious, angry, shut down, or overwhelmed?

• What are those parts afraid would happen if they did not do their job?

• What old wounds or experiences might they be protecting?

• How can you relate to yourself with more compassion and less judgment?

• What would it feel like to respond from a calmer, clearer place?

You do not need to have the right words or even fully understand why you feel the way you do for IFS to work. We will work together to slow things down, notice what is happening internally, and help you move toward meaningful and lasting change.

If you feel stuck in patterns that keep repeating, reach out to schedule a consultation and take the first step today. Let’s see if IFS is the right option for you.

Item descriptionIs IFS therapy evidence-based?
Yes. IFS has grown significantly since it was developed in the 1980s and is now considered an evidence-based therapy approach. It is used by therapists around the world to support healing, emotional growth, and trauma recovery.

What happens during an IFS therapy session?
During an IFS therapy session, we may explore the different parts of you that show up around certain emotions, memories, or relationship patterns. The process is gentle, collaborative, and focused on helping you understand these parts rather than judging them.

Can IFS help with my trauma?
IFS can be a helpful approach for trauma because it allows us to work carefully with protective parts and wounded parts at a pace that feels safe. The goal is to help you heal old wounds without overwhelming your system.

Is IFS good for couples therapy?
IFS is often used in individual therapy, but it can also be helpful in relationship work. Understanding your own internal parts can make it easier to communicate, regulate emotions, and connect more clearly with others.

Do you take insurance?

I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for individual therapy but not for marriage or couples therapy. This is because insurance plans explicitly state they do not cover marriage or couples therapy.  I do accept payment from Health Savings accounts and Flex Spending Accounts as well as debit and credit cards.