Have you ever felt pulled in different directions at the same time, part of you wanting to move forward while another part holds you back? Maybe there’s a voice inside that criticizes everything you do, while another part just wants to be loved and accepted. If this feels familiar, you’re not broken. You’re human. And there’s a therapy that was designed to work with exactly this kind of inner experience.
I’m Christy Ford, a Certified IFS Therapist practicing in Manassas, VA, and Internal Family Systems therapy is at the heart of my clinical work. Over the past nineteen years, I’ve watched IFS help people change their relationships with themselves in ways that other approaches simply couldn’t reach. If you’ve tried therapy before and felt like something was missing, or if you’re just beginning to explore what getting better could look like, IFS may be the approach that finally makes sense of your inner world.
Want to get started? Call (571) 229-3418 or book your first session.
What Is Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy?
Internal Family Systems is an evidence-based model of psychotherapy developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz in the 1980s. IFS recognizes that the mind is naturally made up of multiple sub-personalities, or “parts,” and that each of these parts has valuable qualities and intentions. Alongside these parts exists what IFS calls the “Self,” an undamaged, compassionate core that has the qualities of calm, curiosity, clarity, compassion, confidence, courage, creativity, and connectedness.
You’ve likely already experienced your own parts without realizing it. You might notice an inner critic that pushes you to be perfect, an anxious part that scans for danger, or a part that numbs out to avoid overwhelming feelings. In everyday language, people say things like “part of me wants to, but another part doesn’t.” IFS takes this intuitive understanding seriously and provides a structured, caring framework for working with these inner dynamics.
What makes IFS unique is its assumption that every part has a positive intention, even when its behavior causes problems. The critical voice isn’t your enemy; it’s a protector trying to keep you safe from shame. The anxious part isn’t a malfunction; it’s working overtime to prevent something painful from happening. When we approach these parts with curiosity rather than judgment, something remarkable happens: they begin to relax, trust, and eventually change.
IFS has been recognized by SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices and has a growing body of research supporting its effectiveness for trauma, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and many other concerns. It is a model I have devoted my career to mastering because I have seen how it facilitates real, lasting change.
Understanding Your Internal System: Parts and Self
In IFS, we work with three types of parts:
Managers are the parts that try to keep you in control and prevent painful feelings from surfacing. They might show up as:
- The inner critic that drives perfectionism
- The people-pleaser that prioritizes everyone else’s needs
- The planner that needs to have everything figured out
- The caretaker that focuses on others to avoid your own pain
Firefighters are the parts that react when painful feelings break through despite the managers’ efforts. They act quickly and impulsively to put out emotional fires, sometimes through:
- Binge eating, drinking, or other compulsive behaviors
- Emotional outbursts or rage
- Dissociation or numbing out
- Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Exiles are the vulnerable parts that carry the pain, shame, fear, and traumatic memories that the managers and firefighters work so hard to protect you from. These parts are often young and stuck in the past, still carrying the weight of experiences that overwhelmed them.
At the center of this system is the Self, your truest essence. The Self is not a part. It cannot be damaged or destroyed. It naturally embodies the qualities needed for healing: curiosity, compassion, calm, and clarity. One of the most powerful aspects of IFS is discovering that this healing resource has been within you all along.
How IFS Therapy Works
The process of IFS therapy is one of building trust, both between you and me, and between you and your own internal system. Here’s how the work unfolds:
Developing Self-Leadership. Early in therapy, we work on helping you access and strengthen your connection to Self-energy. This means learning to notice when a part has taken over and gently returning to that centered, curious place within you. As you practice this, you develop what IFS calls “Self-leadership,” the ability to relate to your parts from a place of compassion rather than being overwhelmed by them.
Getting to Know Your Parts. Together, we’ll begin to map your internal system. You’ll learn to recognize your protector parts, the managers and firefighters that have been working so hard to keep you safe. Rather than trying to get rid of these parts or override them, we approach each one with genuine curiosity. Why does this part do what it does? What is it afraid would happen if it stopped? What does it need from you?
Building Trust with Protectors. Before we can access the deeper wounds carried by exile parts, we need permission from the protectors. This is one of the most important and respectful aspects of IFS. We never force past defenses or push you to go where you’re not ready. When protectors feel heard and valued, they naturally begin to step back and allow deeper work.
Healing Exiles Through Unburdening. When protectors give permission, we can access the exile parts that carry pain and trauma. Through a process called “unburdening,” these parts can release the painful beliefs, emotions, and body sensations they’ve been holding, sometimes for decades. Unburdening is often one of the most significant experiences in therapy. Clients frequently describe feeling physically lighter, as though something they’ve been carrying for years has finally been set down.
Change Across the Whole System. As exiles heal, the protectors that were organized around keeping that pain at bay no longer need their extreme roles. The inner critic can become a supportive advisor. The people-pleaser can learn to include your needs too. The numbing part can find new ways to help you rest. The whole system reorganizes around Self-leadership.
My Approach to IFS Therapy
As a Certified IFS Therapist and Level 2 trained practitioner, I bring a depth of expertise to this work that reflects years of dedicated study and practice. The certification process through the IFS Institute is rigorous, requiring extensive training, supervision, and demonstrated proficiency. There are only 21 Certified IFS Therapists in Virginia and 23 in Florida, and I am honored to hold this credential.
My work with IFS began early in my career when I saw how powerfully it helped the clients I was treating for trauma and dissociative disorders. After completing my Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Towson University in 2005, I pursued intensive training in IFS because I witnessed how it could reach places that other modalities couldn’t. Over nineteen years of clinical work, IFS has consistently proven to be the most effective tool in my practice.
I also hold credentials as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and have completed training in IFS-informed Couples Therapy (IFIO). This means I can bring the IFS lens to a wide range of clinical issues, from individual healing to relationship repair.
While IFS is my primary modality, I integrate insights from other therapeutic approaches as needed, including psychodynamic perspectives, mindfulness practices, and person-centered approaches. For clients who wish, I can also incorporate Christian faith perspectives into our work. My goal is always to meet you where you are and use whatever serves you best.
What to Expect in IFS Therapy Sessions
If you’re new to IFS, it’s natural to feel curious (and perhaps a little nervous) about what sessions will look like. Here’s what you can expect when you work with me:
The First Session. Our work together begins with a thorough intake session where I get to know you, your history, and what brings you to therapy. I’ll explain how IFS works and we’ll start to identify some of the parts that are most active in your life right now. There’s no pressure to go deep right away; we move at your pace.
Ongoing Sessions. In a typical session, we’ll begin by checking in about what’s present for you. From there, we might focus on a part that’s been activated during the week, explore a recurring pattern, or continue the process of unburdening an exile. IFS sessions often involve a meditative quality; I may guide you to focus inward, notice what comes up in your body, and engage with your parts from a place of curiosity.
Between Sessions. Healing doesn’t just happen in my office. Many clients find that their relationship with their parts continues to develop between sessions. You may notice parts showing up in daily life and begin to relate to them differently. I encourage journaling and self-reflection as supplements to our work together.
Sessions are 50 minutes and are available both in-person at my Manassas, VA office and via telehealth throughout Virginia and Florida. My fee is $215 per session, and I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance. I also offer an initial consultation so you can ask questions and determine if we’re a good fit before committing.
What Sets This Work Apart
Here’s what I bring to my IFS practice:
- Certified IFS Therapist, one of only 21 in Virginia and 23 in Florida, reflecting the highest level of training and competence in IFS.
- Level 2 Trained through the IFS Institute, with direct connection to the professional community advancing this model.
- 19+ years of clinical experience treating complex issues including trauma, dissociation, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression.
- Additional specialized credentials including CCTP (Certified Clinical Trauma Professional) and IFIO (IFS-Informed Couples Therapy) training.
- Comprehensive care: I bring the IFS framework to bear on a wide range of concerns. Learn more on my about page or explore my therapeutic approaches.
- Flexible access: in-person sessions in Manassas, VA and telehealth throughout Virginia and Florida.
I believe in the power of the IFS model because I have seen it change lives. My commitment to this work is reflected not only in my credentials but in the ongoing consultation, continuing education, and personal practice I maintain.
If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d like to hear from you. Schedule a consultation or call (571) 229-3418 to find out if IFS therapy is right for you.