A Compassionate, Evidence-Based Path to Healing: Integrating IFS, ACT, and ERP

Are you seeking lasting change, emotional healing, or a deeper understanding of yourself? At the core of our therapeutic approach is the integration of Internal Family Systems (IFS) with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). These research-backed modalities form a powerful framework that helps individuals heal from trauma, anxiety, OCD, depression, and relationship struggles while cultivating resilience and self-compassion.

We specialize in working with people who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or who haven’t found success in traditional therapy. Our approach goes beyond talk therapy by offering practical, experiential strategies that target the root of emotional suffering—while empowering you to live a life aligned with your values.

The Foundation: Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy

IFS is a groundbreaking, mindfulness-based model that views the mind as made up of “parts”—each with its own role and history. At the heart of IFS is the belief that healing begins when we access our core Self, the calm, compassionate inner presence capable of leading our internal system with wisdom.

Key IFS Principles:

• Multiplicity of the Mind: We are made up of different parts (such as protectors, exiles, or managers), each playing a unique role in our emotional life.
• Self-Leadership: Healing occurs when the Self leads with calm, curiosity, and compassion.
• All Parts Are Welcome: Even parts that create distress are trying to help in their own way. Understanding their intent allows for healing.
• Unburdening: Traumatized or burdened parts can release pain, fear, or shame and return to a balanced state.

ACT and ERP: Tools for Real-World Change

While IFS creates a compassionate framework for understanding your internal world, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) offer effective tools for making meaningful behavioral changes.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT helps you build psychological flexibility—the ability to stay present and act in alignment with your values even in the face of discomfort. Rather than fighting or avoiding distressing thoughts or emotions, ACT teaches you how to:

• Embrace discomfort with mindfulness and acceptance
• Take action toward what truly matters
• Build a more values-driven, purposeful life

Within the IFS framework, ACT provides language and practices that help you relate to your parts with compassion and intentionality.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

ERP is thought to be the gold-standard treatment for OCD, anxiety, and trauma-related avoidance. It involves gradually facing feared thoughts, feelings, or situations in a safe, supportive environment—without relying on compulsive or avoidant behaviors.

When paired with IFS, ERP becomes more compassionate and sustainable. We help you:

• Identify the parts that drive avoidance or compulsions
• Foster courage and clarity through Self-leadership
• Create lasting behavioral change rooted in safety and self-trust

Why Our Integrated Approach Works

Our method combines the depth of IFS, the behavioral science of ACT, and the exposure techniques of ERP—resulting in a truly holistic approach to therapy.

• Heal from Within: IFS helps uncover and unburden emotional pain stored in protective parts
• Create Lasting Change: ACT and ERP provide actionable tools for shifting behavior and building resilience
• Cultivate Self-Compassion: Our work centers around creating an internal relationship of acceptance, curiosity, and kindness

This integrated approach addresses the whole person—mind, body, and nervous system—making it ideal for individuals navigating chronic stress, trauma, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive patterns.

The Role of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

When appropriate, safe, and legally permissible, we offer support for psychedelic-assisted therapy, including substances like psilocybin mushrooms, ketamine, DMT, mescaline and cannabis. These tools are never used in isolation but are thoughtfully integrated into our IFS/ACT/ERP model to deepen emotional processing and expand access to the Self.

Psychedelics can:

• Enhance neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new connections
• Facilitate memory reconsolidation, allowing for the reprocessing of trauma
• Promote interoceptive awareness, crucial for emotional regulation

These benefits are most impactful when paired with our structured approach, which includes:

• Preparation and intention-setting
• Therapeutic guidance during the experience (when applicable)
• Integration sessions to translate insights into long-term growth

Neuroscience-Backed Healing

Modern research shows that traditional talk therapy often activates only the prefrontal cortex, where rational thinking resides. In contrast, our approach—especially when supported by psychedelics—engages deeper brain regions like the insula and anterior cingulate cortex, which are responsible for trauma healing, emotional regulation, and empathy.

With IFS, ACT, and ERP guiding the process, these brain regions are not only activated—they’re retrained for resilience, allowing for sustainable emotional change.

Why Choose Our Practice?

We don’t just talk about healing—we help you live it. Our integrative model is designed to meet you where you are and guide you toward where you want to be.

With our support, you’ll learn how to:

• Build psychological flexibility and reduce avoidance
• Unburden emotional pain carried by protective parts
• Align your actions with your deepest values and goals
• Gently face fears and disrupt limiting patterns
• Integrate profound experiences—psychedelic or otherwise—into everyday life

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

If you’ve struggled with anxiety, trauma, OCD, or depression—and haven’t found relief through conventional therapy—our integrative model may be the path you’ve been searching for. By combining IFS, ACT, ERP, and psychedelic-assisted therapy, we offer a unique and compassionate path to deep healing and personal transformation.

Reach out today to explore how we can support your next steps toward healing, clarity, and wholeness.