In this solo episode, I reflect on my recent conversation with Mel Galbraith, the COO of IFSCA, and dive deeper into the challenges of practicing Internal Family Systems (IFS). I talk about the tricky balance therapists often face—how easy it is to show up with the best intentions, but accidentally lead from self-like parts instead of true self-energy. You’ll hear me share some personal insights on why slowing down is so essential in this work, why letting go of an agenda actually helps clients go deeper, and how even seasoned therapists can unknowingly blend with their own parts. I also unpack one of the biggest paradoxes in IFS: when we stop trying to make something happen, that's when real healing starts. This episode is perfect for therapists and coaches who are interested in their own inner healing, as well as the inner healing of their clients.Key Takeaways:Why IFS is “simple but not easy” — and why that matters for therapists and clients alikeThe hidden challenge of self-like parts and how they disrupt therapy without you noticingHow to spot when you (as a therapist) are blending with your own parts during a sessionWhy interventions often backfire — and what IFS teaches us about honoring protector parts-- Resources & Offerings:📚 Download my FREE IFS Resource Library - Get access here: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-resource-library🧠 1-Month Grace Period with Jane – Use code JOHN or visit: https://meet.jane.app/john-clarke-ambassador🌱 10% Off at Grounding Well – Use code GWJOHNCLARKE or visit: https://www.groundingwell.com/GWJOHNCLARKE🧠 10% Off at Dharma Dr. – Use code JOHN or visit: https://dharmadr.com/JOHNConnect with me:https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapyhttps://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy

In this episode, I’m joined again by Mel Galbraith of IFSCA, a seasoned IFS therapist and teacher, to dive into what it means to be self-led in the therapy room. We talk about the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways our therapist parts show up during sessions, and how being human—and having parts—doesn’t make us bad therapists. In fact, when we tend to those parts with care, we actually expand our ability to hold space for clients. We explore how therapist agendas can interrupt attunement, why love and curiosity are key to working with any system, and how the work we do on ourselves is just as important as what we do with clients. If you’re a practitioner trying to deepen your self-leadership and your IFS skills, this one’s for you.🌿 Key takeaways:Therapists must attend to their own parts in real time to maintain attunement with clients.Effective IFS work relies equally on knowing the model and staying grounded in self-energy.Clients feel safer and go deeper when therapists release the agenda and trust the process.Learn more about Mel Galbraith below:https://www.youtube.com/@IFSCAwww.youtube.com/@mel.galbraithhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568170237483--- Resources & Offerings:📚 Download my FREE IFS Resource Library - Get access here: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-resource-library🧠 1-Month Grace Period with Jane – Use code JOHN or visit: https://meet.jane.app/john-clarke-ambassador🌱 10% Off at Grounding Well – Use code GWJOHNCLARKE or visit: https://www.groundingwell.com/GWJOHNCLARKE🧠 10% Off at Dharma Dr. – Use code JOHN or visit: https://dharmadr.com/JOHNConnect with me:https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapyhttps://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy

In this episode, I take you inside an IFS session by revisiting a past demo and offering live commentary on my thought process, choice points, and reflections. You'll see firsthand how the Six F’s of IFS (Find, Focus, Flesh Out, Feel, Fear, Befriend) unfold in real time as I guide a client through working with a protective part that resists emotional closeness. I break down the importance of tracking parts, honoring protectors, and moving at the speed of trust to ensure safety and effectiveness in the IFS process. 🌿 Key takeaways:The Six F’s of IFS provide a structured yet fluid way to engage with parts, ensuring safety and connection throughout the process.Protectors often surface early in sessions, signaling fears that must be acknowledged before deeper work can take place.Tracking your own therapist parts—such as the urge to "make progress"—is crucial for staying self-led and honoring the client’s pace.🗓️ Join “Pathways to Self” before doors close today ⬇️https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/pathways--- Resources & Offerings:📚 Download my FREE IFS Resource Library - Get access here: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-resource-library🧠 1-Month Grace Period with Jane – Use code JOHN or visit: https://meet.jane.app/john-clarke-ambassador🌱 10% Off at Grounding Well – Use code GWJOHNCLARKE or visit: https://www.groundingwell.com/GWJOHNCLARKE🧠 10% Off at Dharma Dr. – Use code JOHN or visit: https://dharmadr.com/JOHNConnect with me:https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapyhttps://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy

Group therapy offers a unique healing experience that individual work alone cannot replicate. In this episode, I sit down with therapist and group work specialist Carrie Haynes, LPC, to explore the profound impact of Internal Family Systems (IFS) in group settings. We discuss how group dynamics naturally foster self-energy, how witnessing others' healing creates internal shifts, and why self-leadership in a group setting is a transformative practice. Carrie shares insights from her journey integrating psychodynamic therapy, spirituality, embodiment work, and IFS into group facilitation—helping both therapists and clients unlock deeper healing.🌿 Key takeaways:Witnessing others' IFS work naturally activates our own healing process and strengthens self-energy.Group therapy fosters belonging, connection, and healing in a way that individual therapy often cannot.Great group facilitators balance structure with openness, allowing transformation to unfold naturally.Learn more about Carrie at: https://carriehayneslpc.com/🗓️ Join my webinar “From Burnout to Balance” on March 11, 2025 ⬇️https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/from-burnout-to-balance-training--- Resources & Offerings:📚 Download my FREE IFS Resource Library - Get access here: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-resource-library🧠 1-Month Grace Period with Jane – Use code JOHN or visit: https://meet.jane.app/john-clarke-ambassador🌱 10% Off at Grounding Well – Use code GWJOHNCLARKE or visit: https://www.groundingwell.com/GWJOHNCLARKE🧠 10% Off at Dharma Dr. – Use code JOHN or visit: https://dharmadr.com/JOHNConnect with me:https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapyhttps://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy

Take a moment to pause, breathe, and connect with your inner world. This Internal Family Systems (IFS) Daily Parts Check-In meditation guides you through gently noticing your internal landscape, inviting all parts to the table, and fostering self-leadership.🌿 In this meditation, you’ll:✔️ Learn how to tune into bodily sensations as a way your parts communicate.✔️ Practice inviting and acknowledging different parts of yourself without judgment.✔️ Offer self-energy to the parts that need you most, helping build trust and inner harmony.Whether you're an IFS practitioner, therapist, or simply exploring your internal world, this check-in is a great daily practice to cultivate self-awareness and self-compassion.🗓️ Join my webinar “From Burnout to Balance” on March 11, 2025 ⬇️https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/from-burnout-to-balance-training--- Resources & Offerings:📚 Download my FREE IFS Resource Library - Get access here: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-resource-library🧠 1-Month Grace Period with Jane – Use code JOHN or visit: https://meet.jane.app/john-clarke-ambassador🌱 10% Off at Grounding Well – Use code GWJOHNCLARKE or visit: https://www.groundingwell.com/GWJOHNCLARKE🧠 10% Off at Dharma Dr. – Use code JOHN or visit: https://dharmadr.com/JOHNConnect with me:https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapyhttps://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy

In this special crossover episode of Going Inside and the Therapeutic Astrology Podcast, I’m interviewed by Mannah once again to explore the nature of anxiety through an Internal Family Systems (IFS) lens. We discuss how anxiety operates within the system, its connection to deeper fears, and how working with parts can help navigate uncertainty and fear. Together, we unpack the downward arrow technique, the role of protectors in managing anxiety, and the power of self-led healing in transforming our relationship with fear.Key Takeaways:Anxiety often masks a deeper fear of abandonment. Healing isn’t about eliminating fear but learning to hold it.Our protectors work hard to keep us safe, but self-leadership offers another way.--- Resources & Offerings:📚 Download my FREE IFS Resource Library - Get access here: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-resource-library🧠 1-Month Grace Period with Jane – Use code JOHN or visit: https://meet.jane.app/john-clarke-ambassador🌱 10% Off at Grounding Well – Use code GWJOHNCLARKE or visit: https://www.groundingwell.com/GWJOHNCLARKE🧠 10% Off at Dharma Dr. – Use code JOHN or visit: https://dharmadr.com/JOHNConnect with me:https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapyhttps://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy

In this episode of Going Inside, I guide Sarah through another Internal Family Systems (IFS) demonstration, exploring her inner landscape and working with a protective part that has long carried self-doubt and fear of rejection. As we slow down and create safety, Sarah connects with a younger part of herself that holds deep-seated beliefs about being different and misunderstood. Through our session, we navigate the emotions tied to early experiences of shame and isolation, leading to an organic unburdening and a shift in how this part relates to her present-day self.Key Takeaways:Self-doubt often stems from early experiences of rejectionParts want to protect us, but they also want connection.Healing happens when we create space for all parts.--- Resources & Offerings:📚 Download my FREE IFS Resource Library - Get access here: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-resource-library🧠 1-Month Grace Period with Jane – Use code JOHN or visit: https://meet.jane.app/john-clarke-ambassador🌱 10% Off at Grounding Well – Use code GWJOHNCLARKE or visit: https://www.groundingwell.com/GWJOHNCLARKE🧠 10% Off at Dharma Dr. – Use code JOHN or visit: https://dharmadr.com/JOHNConnect with me:https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapyhttps://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy

In this episode of Going Inside, I sit down with Kalonya Jones, a complex trauma specialist, to explore the deep and often overlooked impact of childhood trauma. We discuss how trauma shapes identity, relationships, and mental health, even when people don’t initially recognize their experiences as traumatic. Kalonya shares her insights on how healing requires acknowledging past wounds, breaking generational cycles, and cultivating self-compassion.Key Takeaways:Trauma isn’t always obvious – Many people believe they had a great childhood but struggle to remember it, which can indicate unprocessed trauma.Healing starts with support – The presence (or absence) of a caregiver during distressing moments shapes how we process trauma and navigate emotions.Breaking generational cycles – Unhealed trauma can be passed down through families, but recognizing these patterns allows us to create healthier relationships and self-perceptions.Learn more about Kalonya at: https://thelotuscounselor.com/https://www.instagram.com/thelotuscounselor/https://www.facebook.com/lotuscounselor https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalonya-jones-lpc-ncc-cctp-aa1360a5/ --- Resources & Offerings:🧠 1-Month Grace Period with Jane – Use code JOHN or visit: https://meet.jane.app/john-clarke-ambassador🌱 10% Off at Grounding Well – Use code GWJOHNCLARKE or visit: https://www.groundingwell.com/GWJOHNCLARKE🧠 10% Off at Dharma Dr. – Use code JOHN or visit: https://dharmadr.com/JOHN🌱 Join Pathways to Self – My IFS basics course for therapists and practitioners: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/pathways🧠  Download My Free IFS Meditation – Get access here: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/freeConnect with me:https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapyhttps://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy

In this episode of Going Inside, I continue my Internal Family Systems (IFS) demo with Sarah in the third session of a four-part series. We explore how internal and external expectations can block freedom, joy, and imagination. Sarah connects with a part of herself that has carried the burden of meeting others' needs since childhood, believing that anticipating and managing expectations would keep her safe. Together, we invite more trust, curiosity, and playfulness into her system, creating space for greater ease and self-acceptance.*This is part 3 of a 4-part series of real Internal Family Systems therapy sessions*Please note that the client's name has been changed to protect their privacy.Key Takeaways:Expectations can create internal pressure that limits our ability to be present and embrace spontaneity.Protective parts often form in childhood to keep us safe, but they may no longer serve us in the same way as adults.Trusting the present moment allows for greater emotional freedom, creativity, and self-acceptance.— Resources & Offerings:🧠 1-Month Grace Period with Jane – Use code JOHN or visit: https://meet.jane.app/john-clarke-ambassador🌱 10% Off at Grounding Well – Use code GWJOHNCLARKE or visit: https://www.groundingwell.com/GWJOHNCLARKE🧠 10% Off at Dharma Dr. – Use code JOHN or visit: https://dharmadr.com/JOHN🌱 Join Pathways to Self – My IFS basics course for therapists and practitioners: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/pathways🧠  Download My Free IFS Meditation – Get access here: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/free—Connect with me:https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapyhttps://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy

In this conversation, Mel Galbraith, a Level 3 certified IFS therapist and COO of IFSCA, shares her insights on unblending and direct access techniques in Internal Family Systems therapy. She discusses the challenges clients face when protectors resist and the importance of curiosity and patience in therapy. Mel emphasizes prioritizing client safety and flexibility, enabling deeper healing. She also shares the vital role self-energy plays in creating a safe therapeutic space, avoiding the pitfalls of bypassing protectors.