A Unique Path to Healing Trauma- How IFS Can Help
by Amy Achata, LPC-MHSP (Temp), NCC
Have you ever found yourself talking about the same struggles in therapy over and over, but nothing seems to change? You’re not alone—and there’s a good reason for that. Healing from trauma often requires more than just talking. Real transformation involves the whole body and a deeper connection to your inner world.
That’s why I use an approach called Internal Family Systems (IFS). It offers a fresh, powerful way to work with trauma that goes beyond traditional talk therapy. Instead of focusing only on what happened, IFS helps you build a relationship with the parts of yourself that are still carrying the pain.
I know this firsthand. For years, I rejected parts of myself that I thought were too messy, too broken, or not “good enough.” I carried shame around things that happened in my family—things I was taught to hide. I lived with chronic pain, migraines, nightmares, and a constant sense of anxiety and self-doubt. I felt like I was failing at being “okay,” no matter how hard I tried. Even after years of traditional therapy, I still felt stuck. Then I found IFS—and everything began to shift.
IFS is based on the idea that we all have different “parts” within us—inner voices or aspects of our personality—as well as a core Self that is calm, compassionate, and capable of healing. With trauma, some parts take on extreme roles to protect us, while others carry pain or shame and get exiled. Over time, this inner system can feel chaotic, disconnected, or even like it's working against you.
But here’s the beauty of IFS: it helps you turn toward these parts with curiosity and care, rather than judgment. Instead of trying to get rid of the pain, you learn to listen to it—and that’s where true healing begins.
IFS is different from other trauma approaches in that it combines the most helpful elements:
It addresses thoughts by exploring the beliefs and messages we’ve internalized
It incorporates the body by paying attention to physical sensations and patterns
It heals emotions by making space for the parts of us that carry fear, sadness, anger, or shame
Most importantly, IFS isn’t about fixing you—it’s about helping you reconnect with the Self that’s already whole. Through this work, the parts of you that have been stuck in pain can finally release their burdens and find new roles. Trust, agency, and self-compassion are restored.
If you’re feeling like you’ve tried everything and nothing’s worked, I want you to know there is another way. You don’t have to keep fighting with yourself. You can learn to listen, to understand, and ultimately, to heal. To learn more, read “Transcending Trauma: Healing Complex PTSD with Internal Family Systems” by Frank G. Anderson.