Anxiety, Stress, and Overwhelm

Common anxiety parts that IFS can address are the following:

The Worrier: Scans for potential dangers, trying to keep you safe.

The Perfectionist: Strives for excellence, fearing criticism or failure.

The People-Pleaser: Pushes you to meet others’ expectations, even at your expense

How IFS Can Help

Through an IFS approach I will guide you to identify your anxiety parts and connect them with your core Self to find your natural source of inner calm.

Stress is a response to internal and external pressures.

Stress arises when your system feels overloaded or unsupported. Parts of you that manage work, relationships, and responsibilities may become hyperactive, leading to both physical and emotional strain.

Signs Your Parts Are Stressed:

A constant sense of urgency or panic

Difficulty focusing or making decisions

Physical symptoms like tension headaches or fatigue

How IFS Can Help

IFS therapy helps you gain clarity about the internal dynamics driving your stress and equips you with the tools to manage it more effectively. By understanding and unburdening overworked parts, you can increase confidence in your ability to handle challenges and respond with greater ease and resilience.

Overwhelm happens when too many Parts are activated at once, each pulling you in different directions. For example:

A Part that pushes you to excel at work clashes with a Part that knows you need rest.

A Protector Part trying to suppress emotions battles with an Exile Part pushing feelings to the surface.

This inner tug-of-war can leave you feeling paralyzed, unsure of where to start or how to move forward. It’s like trying to keep too many plates spinning at once—no matter how hard you try, something is bound to crash

How IFS Can Help

IFS therapy helps you step back from the chaos and connect with your core Self—the part of you that holds calm, clarity, and confidence even in difficult moments. By understanding and unburdening the Parts that drive overwhelm, you gain the courage to set boundaries, the compassion to meet your needs without guilt, and the creativity to find new ways forward. Instead of feeling stuck, you’ll develop a greater sense of control and balance in your life.