Going Inside: Healing Trauma from the Inside Out

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🌱Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast🧠 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🌱Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast🧠 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🌱Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast🧠 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🌱Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast🧠 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🌱Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast🧠 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🌱Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast🧠 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:🌱Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast🧠 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.

In this episode of the Going Inside Podcast, I do a second live Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy demo with Sarah, revisiting her journey of addressing heavy emotional burdens and discovering the power of creativity and play. We explore blocked imagination, a sense of responsibility for others' emotions, and the effects of reconnecting with playful, lighthearted parts. The session includes an unburdening process and Sarah learns how bringing creativity into daily life can foster emotional balance and resilience.*This is part 1 of a 3-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:Reconnecting with imaginative parts can help reframe heavy emotions and create space for joy and lightness.Releasing emotional burdens allows space for new, positive qualities like lightness, music, and playful energy to take root.Building relationships with parts helps manage challenging interactions and turn serious situations into opportunities for growth and play.---Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcastUse code: JOHN for a 1 month grace period with Jane or click HERE to get started!Receive 10% off a grounding product at Grounding Well with code GWJOHNCLARKE or by clicking the link: https://www.groundingwell.com/GWJOHNCLARKEDownload my Free IFS Meditation: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/freeJoin Pathways to Self - An IFS basics course for therapists and practitioners:https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/pathwaysConnect with me:https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapyhttps://www.youtube.com/@JohnclarkeTherapy

In this episode of the Going Inside Podcast, I conduct a live Internal Family Systems (IFS) demo with Sarah, a client who explores her discomfort with vulnerability and connection. Together, we uncover the roots of these feelings in a protective part that emerged during childhood, carrying grief and longing for attunement. We create a safe space for this part, paving the way for healing and rediscovering joy.*This is part 1 of a 3 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:Protective parts often arise in childhood to shield us from pain and can be released through acknowledgment and care.Creating a safe, compassionate space for your parts fosters healing and deeper self-awareness.When burdens are lifted, parts can rediscover their original roles, enabling greater emotional balance and fulfillment.Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcastUse code: JOHN for a 1 month grace period with Jane or click HERE to get started! https://meet.jane.app/john-clarke-ambassador/ Receive 10% off a grounding product at Grounding Well with code GWJOHNCLARKE or by clicking the link: https://www.groundingwell.com/GWJOHNCLARKE Download my Free IFS Meditation: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/free Join Pathways to Self - A weekly IFS consultation group for therapists and practitioners: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/pathways Connect with me: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapy https://www.youtube.com/@JohnclarkeTherapy