IFS informed EMDR

Before I explain how IFS informed EMDR works, it’s important to understand why choosing the right therapeutic modality matters when you’re seeking therapy.

When we feel physically unwell, it’s often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause without consulting a doctor and running tests. Many illnesses share overlapping symptoms, and without identifying the root cause, treatment may be ineffective or even harmful.

The exact same idea applies to mental health.

Anxiety, depression, irritability, emotional shutdown, and feeling overwhelmed are symptoms that show up across many diagnoses — including PTSD, complex trauma, OCD, acute stress, and burnout. Treating symptoms alone, without understanding the underlying cause, often leads to limited or temporary relief.

When it comes to mental health, it is essential to talk to a therapist who can help identify the root cause of symptoms so the correct therapeutic approach can be used.

Why the Right Therapy Modality Matters

Treatment in therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Different therapeutic modalities work best for different underlying issues.

For example, trauma cannot be treated efficiently with CBT alone. While CBT can be very helpful for stress-related sleep difficulties or certain patterns of anxiety, it does not work directly with how trauma is stored in the nervous system.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), on the other hand, is the most effective therapeutic approach for OCD.

When it comes to trauma, there are several evidence-based approaches that work with the body and nervous system, including Somatic Experiencing (SE), NARM, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and EMDR. All of these modalities are powerful and effective. However, not everyone responds to them in the same way.

In my clinical experience, relying on a single approach has not been as effective as integrating two equally powerful modalities. EMDR and IFS are both strong trauma therapies, and when they are combined thoughtfully, the work can go deeper and feel safer for the client.

There were times when I worked with clients who had complex childhood trauma and noticed that using EMDR alone made it difficult not only to process traumatic material, but even to get close to certain memories or emotions. Clients often wanted to heal and understood intellectually that something needed attention, yet their system would not allow us to access it.

That is when I noticed a significant shift after integrating IFS with EMDR.

If you want to learn more about trauma read childhood trauma and relationship PTSD

Understanding Internal Family Systems (IFS)

According to Internal Family Systems (IFS), the mind is made up of different parts that hold different emotions, memories, beliefs, and experiences.

Some parts were formed because of wounds and painful experiences, while other parts developed to protect us from feeling that pain again.

These protective parts have specific jobs. For example, a critical part may try to prevent mistakes so we do not get shamed or rejected. A people-pleasing part may work hard to make sure everyone is happy with us so we feel accepted and safe.

Alongside these parts is the core Self, which holds qualities such as calmness, curiosity, compassion, clarity, confidence, and connectedness.

IFS holds a very important belief: there are no bad parts.

Every part exists for a reason. Some parts are protectors that carry the burden of keeping us functioning, while other parts are wounded parts that carry pain related to fear, rejection, abandonment, or neglect.

IFS helps unburden these parts by forming a relationship between the core Self and the parts. When parts feel seen, understood, and supported by Self energy, they no longer need to hold onto extreme roles.

This process allows clients to experience relief, calmness, confidence, and self-compassion from within. Instead of convincing yourself to think or feel differently, something naturally shifts inside.

I talk about Internal Family systems in more detail in this article. Read about it if you find yourself feeling curious.

How EMDR Works With Trauma

When someone experiences trauma, the emotions, sensations, and beliefs connected to those experiences can get stuck in the body and nervous system.

Trauma does not only show up as memories. It can appear as negative beliefs about oneself, strong reactions to loud noises, discomfort with physical touch, racing thoughts, emotional numbness, or an inability to relax.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) works by stimulating the brain’s natural processing system so that these experiences can be reprocessed rather than remaining frozen in the nervous system.

In EMDR, we identify a target memory or, in cases of complex or developmental trauma, an overarching emotional state or body sensation. After identifying the target, we use bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping. In my online sessions, tapping is typically used as the form of bilateral stimulation.

EMDR helps reprocess the memory, emotions, body sensations, and negative beliefs that are stored in the nervous system. Over time, the intensity of fear, pain, helplessness, and hopelessness decreases, and the experience no longer feels as present or overwhelming.

Read more about EMDR Therapy Online

How IFS Informed EMDR Integrates Both Approaches

IFS informed EMDR follows the eight phases of EMDR while integrating IFS principles throughout the process. I am trained in Bruce Hersey’s IFS informed EMDR approach, and the explanation below reflects that model.

Phase 1: History Taking and Parts Mapping

Most therapy sessions begin with an intake process. This is when we learn about a client’s life history, relationships, and emotional experiences. In EMDR, this is known as history taking.

During this phase, we also create a parts map using IFS. As the client shares their experiences, we begin identifying protective parts and wounded parts, as well as how these parts interact with each other.

This map gives us a clearer picture of the client’s internal system and helps guide future work.

Phase 2: Resourcing and Stabilization

Phase two in EMDR focuses on helping clients develop resources that support grounding and self-regulation. Techniques such as creating a safe place or a container are commonly used.

In IFS informed EMDR, this phase also focuses on strengthening access to Self energy, which becomes an essential anchor for later trauma processing.

Phase 2.5: Working With Protective Parts

Sometimes, even after completing EMDR resourcing, clients feel blocked when we move toward trauma processing. They may feel numb, distracted, or unable to access emotions.

This usually means protective parts are not ready.

Although clients often come to therapy wanting to heal, parts of their system may worry that getting close to painful material will disrupt the stability they have worked hard to maintain.

This is where IFS becomes especially important.

We begin by asking protectors for permission to do the work. We listen to their concerns and acknowledge their role in keeping the client functioning. The goal is not to bypass or overpower these parts, but to build trust.

If the client is blended with a protector, we move into discovery, which helps us understand the protector’s job, fears, and level of urgency. Bilateral stimulation is used during discovery to help differentiate Self, protector, and wounded parts. This process is often referred to as Phase 2.5 in IFS informed EMDR.

Phase 4: Desensitization

Phase four is the desensitization phase. Bilateral stimulation is used to process the target memory or emotional experience the wounded part is holding.

If protectors show up during processing, such as anger, resistance, or hesitation, we pause and return to discovery. Once the protector feels understood and reassured, we resume trauma processing.

IFS interweaves such as retrieval, do-over, and unburdening may be used when appropriate.

Phase 5: Installation

Installation occurs once the intensity of the memory has significantly decreased. The client begins to express clarity and a new understanding of the experience.

At this point, we strengthen the positive belief associated with the target. In IFS terms, this is similar to inviting positive qualities into the system after a part has unburdened.

Phase 6: Body Scan

The client is asked to notice their body and check for any remaining distress. If something arises, we get curious about whether another part needs attention before closing the target.

Phase 7: Closure

If processing is incomplete, closure focuses on grounding and regulation. In IFS informed EMDR, parts are reassured that they will be returned to in the next session so the system does not feel overwhelmed.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

In reevaluation, we check back in with the work from the previous session. We assess whether the target remains resolved or if further processing is needed.

EMDR vs. IFS Informed EMDR

While there are many differences between EMDR and IFS informed EMDR, the most important distinction is how protectors and wounded parts are approached.

In EMDR, assessment happens in Phase 3 and desensitization in Phase 4.

In IFS informed EMDR, discovery is done with protective parts, while desensitization is done with wounded parts. Bilateral stimulation is used not only for trauma processing but also to support unblending and differentiation between parts.

This allows trauma processing to happen with greater safety, cooperation, and depth.

Who Benefits From IFS Informed EMDR?

IFS informed EMDR can be especially helpful for people who:

• Have complex, developmental, childhood trauma
• Feel blocked or shut down in standard EMDR
• Experience strong internal resistance
• Are highly self-aware but feel stuck
• Struggle with people-pleasing or perfectionism
• Holding a lot of anger that’s not letting you access your pain

FAQ: IFS Informed EMDR

What is IFS informed EMDR?
IFS informed EMDR integrates Internal Family Systems with EMDR to address protective and wounded parts before trauma processing.

Is IFS informed EMDR better than EMDR?
It is not better, but it can be more effective for complex trauma and clients who struggle to access emotions or memories.

Can IFS informed EMDR be done online?
Yes. Bilateral stimulation through tapping works effectively in online sessions.

Does this approach reduce re-traumatization?
Yes. Working with protectors first helps keep the nervous system regulated.