The Brilliance of IFS-Informed EMDR: Healing with Compassion and Connection
When it comes to deep healing, sometimes a single method isn’t enough.
That’s where the brilliance of IFS-informed EMDR comes in — blending two powerful approaches to create a deeply compassionate, integrative healing experience.
At Rebuilding Together Counseling, we often weave Internal Family Systems (IFS) into our EMDR work because together, they meet you where you are — with gentleness, curiosity, and a profound respect for all parts of you.
What Is IFS-Informed EMDR?
First, a little background.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps reprocess and heal traumatic memories by working directly with the brain’s natural systems.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapy model that views the mind as made up of "parts" — different aspects of ourselves that carry emotions, beliefs, and memories.
IFS-informed EMDR brings these together.
Rather than focusing only on the memory or trauma itself, we also engage with the parts of you that are holding the pain, fear, or shame. We build a relationship with them, listen to their needs, and invite them into the healing process — instead of pushing them aside.
Why This Approach Is So Powerful
Traditional EMDR is incredibly effective, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming, especially when protective parts inside of us feel afraid to "go there."
IFS helps slow the process down in a supportive way, making room for all parts of you to feel safe and seen.
When we invite your internal system to participate in EMDR, something beautiful happens:
Trauma memories feel less overwhelming.
Protective parts (like inner critics or avoiders) feel respected, not fought against.
Healing happens with consent and collaboration, not force.
In other words, IFS-informed EMDR creates a trauma-informed, consent-based healing space — which is exactly what deep, lasting transformation needs.
How It Might Feel in Session
Rather than jumping directly into a painful memory, we might first spend time getting to know the parts of you that are hesitant, scared, or protective.
We might ask questions like:
"Is there a part of you that’s feeling nervous about starting EMDR today?"
"What does this part need in order to feel safe?"
"Can we offer that part some reassurance before we move forward?"
When parts feel heard and supported, your entire system becomes more open to healing. EMDR then becomes a collaboration — not something happening to you, but something happening with you.
Bringing It All Together
At Rebuilding Together Counseling, we honor the complexity and brilliance of your internal world.
IFS-informed EMDR allows us to meet you exactly where you are, building trust not just between therapist and client, but within yourself.
Healing doesn’t have to be harsh, fast, or overwhelming.
It can be gentle. It can be paced.
It can honor every part of you — even the ones that are scared to heal.
If you're curious about experiencing the difference that IFS-informed EMDR can make, we would be honored to support your journey.
