Therapy with Philipp

integrative PSYCHOTHERAPist IN Manchester & online



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Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy

What is Internal Family Systems Therapy?

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is a type of psychotherapy that can be helpful for a wide range of conditions and symptoms, including mental health issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use. It can also be beneficial for improving self-awareness, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.

IFS is a trauma-informed, non-pathologising approach based on the idea that the mind is made up of distinct “parts,” each with its own perspective, emotion, and intention. Rather than seeing these parts as dysfunctional, IFS therapy helps clients understand and support them — ultimately leading to healing, self-compassion, and inner harmony.

A New Way of Understanding the Mind

IFS sees the psyche as made up of sub-personalities or “parts.” While these parts are all part of one personality, they can feel conflicting or overwhelming when they are carrying pain or distress. Therapy helps clients explore these parts, understand their protective roles, and connect with them from a calm and compassionate place.

IFS parts are typically grouped into three categories:

  • Exiles: Parts that carry unresolved pain, trauma, or emotional wounds — often from childhood. They’re often hidden away but can get triggered by present-day situations.
  • Protectors: These parts work to manage and minimise distress. They come in two forms:
  • Managers: Try to prevent pain and maintain control (e.g., perfectionism, overthinking, people-pleasing).
  • Firefighters: Step in to quickly numb or distract from pain (e.g., substance use, bingeing, avoidance).
  • Burdens: The emotional wounds, fears, and negative beliefs (e.g., “I’m not good enough”) that parts carry.

At the heart of IFS is the Self — the calm, compassionate, and wise core of a person. In IFS therapy, we help increase access to this Self-energy, which allows healing to take place from within.

How Does IFS Therapy Help?

Internal Family Systems therapy helps integrate body and mind by focusing on the root and role of the problem, not just the symptoms. Through a process of separating, identifying, and building relationships with different parts, IFS supports:

  • Compassionate self-awareness
  • Relief from internal conflict
  • Greater insight into unconscious patterns
  • A reduction in emotional overwhelm or reactivity

For example, in the case of anxiety or OCD, IFS supports the ability to “unblend” from overwhelming states:

“It’s not that I am anxious — a part of me feels anxious because it’s trying to protect me.”

In trauma therapy, IFS helps clients distinguish between their present-day adult self and a younger part that may still carry the emotions of the past. From here, healing can begin.

What Happens in an IFS Session?

A typical IFS session begins with parts detection — gently exploring the various thoughts, emotions, and protective patterns that arise. I may reflect back the parts I hear and we collaboratively choose where to focus.

In session, you might be invited to:

  • Notice how a part feels in the body
  • Name the emotion or role it plays
  • Reflect on your feelings toward that part
  • Connect to Self — the curious, calm, compassionate inner resource

IFS can also be used alongside other modalities:

  • In EMDR preparation, it can help reassure protective parts and build internal safety.
  • During trauma processing, IFS may be used as an interweave to check in with parts and guide healing.

I may also incorporate Chair Work (from Gestalt therapy) or visualisation techniques to help externalise and connect with parts more clearly.

Self-Leadership: The Goal of IFS

The ultimate goal of IFS is to cultivate more Self-leadership — where your internal system is no longer ruled by fear, criticism, or reactivity, but led by your most grounded and compassionate Self.

When parts no longer feel the need to act out extreme roles, clients often report:

  • A deeper sense of inner calm
  • Feeling less triggered in daily life
  • Greater self-compassion
  • Improved relationships
  • Increased emotional resilience

Healing happens not by pushing parts away, but by welcoming them home — with understanding, care, and connection.

The 8 C’s and 5 P’s of Self-Energy

The 5 P’s of Self-Leadership:

Calm

Clarity

Compassion

Confidence

Courage

Curiosity

Connectedness

Creativity

The 5 P’s of Self-Leadership:

Presence

Patience

Persistence

Perspective

Playfulness

IFS therapy offers a powerful and respectful way to understand yourself, heal emotional wounds, and live with more clarity and inner peace. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, trauma, burnout, or simply want to feel more connected to yourself, this approach can help you move toward lasting change.

Get in touch

Reaching out can be hard – I get that. If you feel ready, I invite you to book a free 15-minute phone consultation. We can talk about what’s going on and whether I’m the right fit for you.

Therapy isn’t about quick fixes. It’s a gradual journey inward – one that can lead to deep understanding, healing, and greater freedom.

Warmly,

Philipp

All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.

"Philipp, thanks for your support over the past few weeks. It has been so different from my previous experiences and is much appreciated" 

.D.T

"Philipp was so easy to chat to and he fully understood my issues and how to help me deal with them. I found the whole process to be very effective and I've been amazed by the difference in my quality of life. Philipp managed to make me feel at ease and relaxed to the point I talked more than I would ever to someone."

.C.R.

"During the sessions he helped me to fully understand my trauma and where it stems from and he supports me in finding ways and solutions on how to deal with it. He has experience with various types of treatment techniques. His personality is very warm and he has a soft approach which is really helpful."

Michael

I really recommend Philip, he helped me a lot with anxiety and panic attack, and now I can say that my life it’s definitely better since I met him. Thank you Philip

Luca

"Began seeing Philipp without a clear idea on what I was hoping to get out of our sessions, by the end of our time thanks to him I had discovered I had ASD and came away with a much greater sense of who I was and an ability to focus on the present. Well worth the time and money spent over the last few months, and comforting to know how easy it is to book another session if needed."

Nathan

“Phillip has helped me through all my traumas/anger issues and anxiety! He is very understanding, calm and listens and comes up with a plan for every session of techniques of coping in the present! I looked forward to every session and never had happy feelings before he helped me. Now I’m the best person i can be with the happiness I never knew I had. I now value myself and living life at my best!"

Ry

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Manchester Therapies Ltd. Registered in England. Company No: 13398491. Registered office. Chartwell Accountants, 47 Bury New Road, Prestwich, Manchester, England, M25 9JY