IFS Therapy for When Different Parts of You Are Pulling in Opposite Directions
You’re not broken. Your system learned how to survive.
IFS therapy at Guiding Kindness Therapy offers compassionate, trauma-informed care for adults who feel stuck in inner conflict, emotional overwhelm, or patterns they understand but can’t seem to change. We work with anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, and self-critical patterns through an Internal Family Systems lens—available in Bala Cynwyd, Philadelphia, and virtually across Pennsylvania, Florida, and Maine.
When You Know Better, But Something Inside Still Reacts
You can see the pattern… so why does it keep happening?
Many people come to IFS therapy feeling frustrated with themselves. You may be insightful, self-aware, and capable—yet still find yourself overthinking, shutting down, people-pleasing, or reacting in ways that don’t align with who you want to be.
IFS understands that these reactions aren’t flaws. They’re parts of you that learned specific roles to keep you safe.
You’re Made of Parts and That’s Not a Problem
At Guiding Kindness Therapy, we don’t see inner conflict as something to eliminate.
Internal Family Systems therapy recognizes that your mind is made up of different “parts,” each with its own feelings, beliefs, and protective strategies. Some parts try to manage life by staying in control or being perfect. Others react quickly to emotional pain by shutting down, distracting, or escaping. And some parts carry old wounds from experiences that were too much to handle at the time.
None of these parts are bad. Every part has a reason for existing.
Signs It Might Be Time to Reach Out
When Inner Conflict Becomes Your Baseline
Unresolved internal tension can quietly shape how you relate to yourself, others, and the world. Over time, it can leave you feeling mentally exhausted, emotionally overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns you understand but can’t seem to change.
IFS therapy creates space to slow things down, build internal safety, and reconnect with parts of yourself that learned to take on protective roles.
Common Reasons Women Seek IFS Therapy With Us
You may find yourself here if you’re experiencing:
Feeling pulled in different directions internally
Harsh self-criticism or constant self-doubt
Emotional overwhelm or emotional shutdown
Strong reactions that feel “out of proportion”
Difficulty trusting yourself or your decisions
Trouble setting boundaries or saying no
A persistent sense of shame or inner pressure
Feeling stuck in old patterns despite insight
Meet Our Team
Eva Light, LCSW
I get it – I'm not a flawless professional with a handbook. My style as a therapist includes radical acceptance, cutting through the bullshit, and encouraging you to be your most authentic self.
Kirstie Juenger, LPC
Your unique journey deserves sincere support. In our sessions, expect a mix of humor, patience, and genuine understanding for open and honest discussions.
Faith Higgins, LAPC, ATR-P
I’ll always show up as a human first -- for you to feel comfortable being you, I need to be authentically me, too. Our sessions will navigate your big life changes and transitions.
Katherine Hayden, LSW
We are on the journey of healing together. In our sessions expect laughter, healing, and togetherness. If you want someone to challenge you, tell you how to adjust and pivot, I’m your person!
You Don’t Have to Keep Fighting Parts of Yourself That Are Just Trying to Help
There often comes a moment when managing, pushing through, or silencing parts of yourself just isn’t sustainable anymore. When the strategies that once kept you functioning start creating more exhaustion, conflict, or disconnection.
Choosing IFS therapy isn’t about fixing what’s “wrong.” It’s about listening to what your internal system has been asking for all along. It’s deciding that every part of you deserves understanding, care, and space to soften.
Trauma, family, & couples therapists
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Virtual & In-Person
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Bala Cynwyd, Philadelphia, Florida, and Maine
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Trauma, family, & couples therapists 💬 Virtual & In-Person 🌿 Bala Cynwyd, Philadelphia, Florida, and Maine 💚
How IFS Therapy at Guiding Kindness Helps
Working with Guiding Kindness Therapy means your pace is respected.
Our therapists use Internal Family Systems–informed approaches that are collaborative, grounding, and attuned to your internal system—helping you understand and build relationships with different parts of yourself rather than forcing insight before safety exists.
What to Expect
Step 1: Free Consultation
We explore what’s bringing you in and whether we’re the right fit.
Step 2: Intake & Assessment
We gently map your history, strengths, and goals—at your pace.
Step 3: Ongoing Therapy
Sessions focus on insight, emotional processing, nervous system regulation, and real-world change. Many clients begin noticing shifts within the first few months.
You Asked,
We Answered
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Yes. We offer in-person therapy for women in Bala Cynwyd and Philadelphia, PA.
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Absolutely. We provide virtual therapy across Pennsylvania, Florida, Maine, and Delaware.
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That depends on your goals. Some women work with us short-term, others longer-term for deeper trauma work.
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That’s okay. We’ll guide you through every step—no pressure, no expectations.
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During the first session, we work on exploring why you are coming to therapy and identifying your needs. We will make sure all your paperwork is filled out correctly.
