Asking how long therapy will take is like asking how long it will take to get through security at the airport: it varies, and it’s often a bit longer than you’d like. However, in my opinion, it’s more pleasant and certainly more rewarding than any interaction with TSA. Just saying.

Listen, St. Louis Natives - I think I speak for all transplants when I say that we, respectfully, don’t want to know where you went to high school. As 30 and 40-year-old women with busy lives, we’d much rather hear about where you spend your time now. In fact - those of us with kids NEED to hear about where you spend your time now. Let me explain. 

IFS therapy is like sitting down with your inner drama queen and gently asking "What's happening that you are making such a fuss?" You're not shutting her up; you're giving her a microphone. And guess what? When you let her speak - when you help her feel heard - she won’t need to wield a megaphone anymore.

I created Good Woman Therapy to introduce women like you to the idea that we are good inside because it can relieve our most common struggles by freeing us from believing that those struggles have turned us into one of the “bad ones”.

Because that, my friend, is how you are gaslighting yourself. Here’s how to stop: consider the idea that you are one woman, with many parts, all of whom are inherently good - and that changes everything.

Curiosity works because when it's genuine, it's truly agenda-free. Ever notice how when you're frustrated with yourself about why you do XYZ thing in conflict, you get 0% closer to figuring out why you do that thing? Or to...not doing it anymore?

That's because the part of you doing the thing you hate feels defensive; you're trying to change it before truly understanding it.

Today, I’m going to write about what I offer in therapy to my clients – which might be different from what you’ve experienced before or from what other clinicians offer. IFS isn't the only kind of therapy out there – this is just the space I live in as a therapist. And I love what I do because I see it bring such relief to my clients every single day.

Googling "How do I start IFS?" or trying to hunt down an IFS counselor in St. Louis? You're not alone. And if you’re finding it overwhelming, you’re also not alone there. Venturing into the world of Internal Family Systems can be a big undertaking - at least initially. You may not know where to start at first. Good news - if you’re reading this, you can start right here. And good news again - if you're reading this, you've already taken the first step – you're curious, and that's a big deal.

Exploring the 5 Ps of Internal Family Systems Therapy is crucial: Playfulness, Patience, Presence, Perspective, and Persistence. Though the 8 C’s are used more commonly (curiosity, compassion, courage, calm, creativity, connectedness, clarity, and confidence), the 5 P’s also embody core attributes of self-energy and are central to the therapeutic process.

Let's face it, we're all a little complicated. Internal Family Systems is a therapy that celebrates, not simplifies, your complexity. As an IFS counselor in St. Louis, Mo, I offer a unique approach to understanding the many layers of your personality. IFS offers a unique approach to understanding the many layers of our personality. This method isn't just about fixing problems; it's about embracing every part of who you are and learning to live in harmony with yourself.