How we heal
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family systems (IFS) is a transformative tool and an empowering paradigm. It is frequently used as an evidence-based psychotherapy, helping people heal by accessing and healing their protective and wounded inner parts.
What do I mean by parts? I believe humans are all beings of multiplicity, meaning we have many inner parts. This is not a new idea. Plato and Aristotle spoke of the soul as having multiple parts. Various spiritual traditions also recognize that the mind is multifaceted and composed of various aspects or parts. Some inner parts work to protect us. They may work hard to keep us safe, in part because they carry a fear or shame that was seeded in our past. Other inner parts have been wounded and isolated from the rest of our system, maybe even shamed into the furthest corners of our unconscious, being long forgotten, and taking with it attributes we dearly miss, like creativity, ease, humor, and a wider ability to love. We also have a core inner Self that is calm, curious, compassionate, centered, creative, courageous and connected. This Self cannot be damaged no matter how much trauma one has experienced. And the inner Self knows how to heal all parts within.
In an IFS session, we’ll explore systems of parts as a way of bringing harmony to your internal system and to better understand your personal and intimate relationships. We will strengthen your anchor to Self so that you can step into life with confidence, calm, compassion, courage, creativity, clarity, curiosity, and connectedness.
Learn more here: IFS Institute
Conscious Connected Breathwork
Our breath is ever-changing, responding to the rhythm of our inner and outer environment. Whether we’re feeling stage fright, running a marathon, or winding down with a book and tea, our breath naturally adapts. In a resilient, dynamic body, this flexibility reflects an ability to respond appropriately to life’s many contexts—an essential quality for wellness. When we breathe freely rather than staying stuck in reactive patterns, we cultivate a foundation for health and vitality.
However, the nervous system and brain are wired for efficiency. To conserve energy, they often settle into habits and patterns. Over time, we develop familiar breathing patterns that reflect our past experiences. Yet, these patterns directly influence the state of our nervous system, affecting our levels of activation, calm, and resilience. If we breathe in a particular way most of the time, our body adapts, and we live in a corresponding state of mind and body.
Facilitated Breath Repatterning (FBR) is a pioneering approach to Conscious Connected Breathwork that builds resilience by reestablishing the body’s capacity to breathe naturally and fully. This practice invites clients to release mental control over their breath, focusing instead on areas in the body where breath flows easily and areas where it may feel restricted. Using bodywork techniques, gentle movement, and verbal guidance, we work together to restore a sense of balance and freedom in breath.
In an FBR session, you’ll be guided to a place of mindful awareness, where breathing unfolds naturally and effortlessly. Through this gentle exploration, the body can express different breath patterns, often associated with specific emotions and past experiences. This process allows new insights and realizations to emerge, which can lead to profound shifts in how one approaches daily life.
CranioSacral Therapy (CST)
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach rooted in the principles of Cranial Osteopathy, a field pioneered in the 1930s by American osteopath William Garner Sutherland. CST works with the craniosacral system, which encompasses the 22 bones of the skull, the vertebrae and sacrum, the brain, the central nervous system, cerebrospinal fluid, and the protective membranes within the cranium and spinal column.
Using a soft touch, generally no greater than 5 grams—about the weight of a nickel—practitioners release restrictions within the craniosacral system, promoting better function of the central nervous system and enhancing other bodily systems, including the digestive, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and circulatory systems. By optimizing the position, fluid movement, and energy flow within the craniosacral system, practitioners support the body’s natural ability to return to balance along the central line, or "midline." This approach emphasizes the belief that health is always present within the body, even in the face of ailments.
CST has demonstrated benefits for individuals experiencing somatic conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as physical symptoms related to chronic stress. By facilitating the body's innate healing processes, CST not only provides relief but also serves as a preventive health measure, strengthening resilience against imbalances and supporting those facing a wide array of health challenges.
Learn more here: Upledger Institute
