Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy
Healing Through Curiosity, Compassion, and Connection
Few of us move through the day as a single, unified self.
There's the part that's already three steps ahead, the part that braces for what could go wrong, the part that shuts everything down when it's had enough—and somewhere in there, the part that's quietly tired of refereeing all of them.
Maybe one part wants to set boundaries while another worries about disappointing people. That kind of inner conflict can leave you feeling stuck—knowing what you want to do, yet finding yourself pulled in another direction.
If you've ever wondered, "Why do I keep feeling pulled in opposite directions?" Internal Family Systems (IFS) offers a different way of understanding those experiences. Rather than seeing those experiences as signs that something is wrong with you, IFS helps you approach them with curiosity and compassion, opening the door to meaningful, lasting change.
Understanding IFS
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an evidence-based model of psychotherapy built on the idea that our minds are naturally made up of different parts, each with its own thoughts, emotions, memories, beliefs, and protective role.
Rather than seeing anxiety, perfectionism, anger, self-criticism, people-pleasing, or avoidance as problems to eliminate, IFS understands these responses as attempts by different parts of us to help in the best ways they know how.
At the center of every person is what IFS calls the Self—a calm, compassionate, curious, confident, courageous, creative, connected, and clear core that naturally knows how to lead with wisdom and care. IFS doesn't try to create your Self. It helps you reconnect with the Self that has always been there.
There Are No Bad Parts
One of the most hopeful ideas in IFS is that every part has a positive intention, even when its strategies create distress.
Protectors aren't the problem; they're the internal system's best attempt to keep you going with whatever resources are available at the time.
The anxious planner. The harsh inner critic. The people-pleaser. The achiever who never lets you slow down. The part that goes numb. Each one took on its role for a reason, often under real pressure, and never quite got the memo that the emergency is over.
The work isn't to silence those parts or argue them out of existence. It's to get to know them: what they're carrying, what they're afraid would happen if they stepped back, and what they actually need. When parts feel genuinely understood—sometimes for the first time—they begin to soften. They don't have to work so hard, and your Self has more room to lead.
What Happens in an IFS Session
Therapy begins by slowing down.
Rather than immediately trying to change your thoughts or reactions, we'll help you turn toward them with curiosity. You might notice a feeling, a sensation in your body, an image, or a familiar inner voice. Together, we'll begin getting to know the part behind that experience instead of simply talking about it from a distance.
There is no pressure to force change or revisit experiences before you're ready. Therapy moves at the pace your system is prepared for. As parts begin to feel understood rather than fought against, many people notice they experience less inner conflict, greater self-compassion, and more freedom in how they respond to life's challenges.
Why We Use IFS at SunPath
At SunPath, IFS isn't simply a technique—it's one of the foundational lenses through which we understand people and relationships.
We believe meaningful change begins with understanding. Rather than focusing only on reducing symptoms, we take time to understand the experiences, relationships, and patterns that have shaped where you are today. Together, we'll create an approach that's tailored to your unique goals and supports meaningful, lasting change.
While IFS is at the center of our work, we also integrate attachment theory, relational neuroscience, and experiential therapies to provide care that's collaborative, personalized, and grounded in current research.
Meet Our IFS Therapists
Leah Fishbein, LMFT
Leah helps individuals, couples, and families improve their relationships with others and themselves. Using Internal Family Systems alongside mindfulness and experiential therapies, she helps clients understand the patterns that keep them stuck and discover new ways of relating with greater clarity, compassion, and connection.
Lirone Losoff, ALMFT
Lirone works with individuals, couples, and families using Internal Family Systems alongside attachment theory, relational neuroscience, and experiential therapies to help clients understand the deeper patterns beneath their experiences and build more connected relationships with themselves and others.
Your Questions, Answered
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No. Whether you've practiced IFS for years or are hearing about it for the first time, therapy begins exactly where you are. There's nothing you need to learn before getting started.
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IFS can be helpful for many concerns, including anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, burnout, perfectionism, people-pleasing, grief, and life transitions. During your consultation, we'll talk about what you're hoping for and whether IFS feels like a good fit for your goals.
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Yes. We use IFS with individuals and relationships. By helping each person better understand their own protective patterns, IFS can foster greater communication, connection, and compassion within relationships and families.
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Yes. We provide secure online therapy throughout Illinois, as well as in-person sessions in Chicago.
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We're an out-of-network practice. Many clients receive partial reimbursement through their insurance, and we're happy to provide a monthly superbill. HSA and FSA funds may also be used for therapy.
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That's completely okay. You don't need to think of yourself as having "parts" for this work to be meaningful. We'll meet you where you are and use whatever language feels most natural.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you're ready to schedule a complimentary consultation or simply have questions about our services, we're here to help.