Internal Family Systems Therapist For Couples And Individuals

I'm Anne-Lynn, an experienced therapist, not a clinical psychologist, with advanced training in relational, trauma-informed practice, and I integrate Level 1 Internal Family Systems (IFS) training into my work with individuals and couples.

If you're already working with a GP, psychiatrist, or another clinician, I can collaborate with your psychologist or other referrers to support coordinated care. I also offer a sliding-scale "Affordable RLT" program for people experiencing financial strain.

My work is also culturally attuned — informed by my own bicultural, Asian-Australian and immigrant experience, which often shapes how family loyalty, identity and unspoken expectations show up inside a relationship. If cultural background is part of what's making things feel complicated, that context matters here too.

Individual IFS sessions are 60 minutes; couples sessions are 90 minutes. I also offer a free 20-minute fit call so you can ask questions and see whether it feels like a good match.

Telehealth sessions are held online Australia-wide. We begin with a simple tech check and make sure you're set up somewhere private and comfortable. An IFS session often involves guided conversations with your own inner parts — it can feel a bit like people talking inside, rather than only traditional talk therapy.

Throughout the session, I pay attention to pacing, helping you notice body sensations and explore your internal world with curiosity and compassion. This work happens in safe increments, within a supportive, non-judgmental space.

I've completed IFS Level 1 training through the IFS Institute, the model's primary training body, and continue to deepen the work through ongoing study, consultation, and supervision so the approach stays thoughtful, ethical, and well supported in practice.

I have completed my 'Somatic IFS' certificate with Susan McConnell, which brings the body directly into this process because parts can show up as physical sensations as well as thoughts.

You can also find my IFS training listing on the IFS UK Practitioner Directory, my profile on Psychology Today, and my listing on Shapes & Sounds, a directory for the Asian community's mental health.

Relational Life Therapy + IFS. RLT and IFS complement each other well: RLT helps name the relational pattern and brings directness into the room, while IFS helps slow things down internally so we can understand the protective parts underneath it — including how IFS works to heal emotional wounds by helping Exiles unburden.

Somatic and nervous-system regulation work. Sometimes words aren't enough. I also bring in body-based, trauma-informed awareness to help clients notice activation, shutdown, and stress responses as they happen.

How this differs from EMDR. Some people arrive looking specifically for EMDR. While there's overlap in the broader trauma-informed goals, I don't force one method onto every client — if it becomes clear you'd be better supported by an EMDR practitioner, I can suggest seeking a specialist with that specific focus.

RLT is more direct and relationship-facing, while IFS is gentler and more focused on your inner world. IFS draws on two ideas: the normal multiplicity of mind, and systems thinking — where a shift in one part affects the whole system. Compared to EFT (which focuses on attachment patterns and emotional bonding) or Gottman (more skills and research based), IFS is especially helpful when conflict is shaped by protective parts, old wounds, or trauma responses that keep showing up between partners.

Individual therapy can be a good fit if you want to understand your reactions, work through trauma, or change recurring patterns you bring into relationships. Couples therapy may be more useful when both people want support to slow conflict down and shift the cycle together.

Sessions are booked online via a simple booking link. Telehealth is available Australia-wide; in-person sessions are available in Brunswick, Melbourne, as a secondary option. Sliding-scale places may be available for those experiencing financial strain — this can be discussed during your free 20-minute fit call.

[Cancellation and payment policy details to be added.]

What to expect in your first IFS session. We'll usually start by getting a sense of what's bringing you here, what feels most urgent, and what you'd like support with. If it feels useful, we may begin noticing how different parts of you show up around the issue — but there's no pressure to go deep straight away. IFS is a gentle, collaborative approach; you won't be pushed to revisit overwhelming experiences before you feel ready.

Is IFS evidence based? IFS is a recognised, evidence-informed modality, though it's worth being precise about what that means: a small pilot study (13 participants who completed treatment) found that 92% no longer met PTSD criteria at one-month follow-up — a striking early result, but from a small study, not a large randomised controlled trial. A separate randomised controlled trial found IFS-based work also improved pain, depression, and physical function for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Research specific to conditions like anxiety and eating disorders is still developing.

Is IFS safe for trauma work? IFS can be very helpful for trauma work when it's paced carefully and grounded in consent. The focus isn't on forcing disclosure, but on helping you build enough internal safety to approach difficult material gradually.

How do you maintain your IFS training? I've completed IFS Level 1 training and continue to deepen the work through ongoing study, consultation, and supervision.

Ready to get started? Book a free 20-minute fit call to see if this feels like the right fit, or read more about my culturally attuned approach if navigating identity or family expectations across cultures is part of what brings you here.