1.Justine Elstad, LCSWVerified
(971) 258-0497
1110 SE Alder Ste 301, PMB#021, Portland, OR 97214
Addiction · ADHD · Alcohol Use
psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/introspective-collective-portland-or/1547951 · orcounselors.com/provider/justine-elstad
Therapy approaches
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapists in Oregon
Find Oregon therapists who practice Internal Family Systems (IFS).
Internal Family Systems (IFS) also matches related specialties: Family Systems, Family Therapy, Family Conflict, Structural Family Therapy. Results below include all of them.
RelatedAttachment-based (149)Somatic (121)Family Systems (89)Family Therapy (76)Experiential Therapy (35)Family Conflict (29)Structural Family Therapy (23)Family Systems (16)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a relationally-grounded psychotherapy developed by Richard Schwartz that treats the psyche as a system of distinct "parts" (subpersonalities) coordinated by a core Self. As of April 2026, many therapists listed on Oregon Counselors on this directory practice IFS. Many offer telehealth, many accept Oregon Health Plan, many offer sliding-scale fees. IFS distinguishes between protective parts (the inner critic, the perfectionist, the people-pleaser, the part that uses food/work/substances), wounded parts holding shame, fear, or grief from earlier in life, and the Self — calm, curious, compassionate, courageous by default. The work is to build trust between Self and the protective parts so they relax their grip and let Self approach the wounded parts. IFS has growing evidence for depression, trauma, eating disorders, and chronic self-criticism, and is now Level 1 / Level 2 trained by hundreds of Oregon therapists.
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Internal Family Systems (IFS)Related: Family Systems
Currently accepting new clients! Life can feel incredibly hard sometimes—overwhelming, stuck, disconnected, or just not how you hoped it would be. We are a team of compassionate, reflective therapists who…
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Internal Family Systems (IFS)Related: Family SystemsRelated: Family Therapy
Brad began his professional counseling career in 2002, while completing his Master of Arts in Family Ministry from Multnomah Biblical Seminary, and prior to completing his Master of Arts in Counseling…
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Internal Family Systems (IFS)Related: Family SystemsRelated: Family Therapy
I work with individuals and couples to help them discover their greatest assets and work through areas of growth in a compassionate manner. Clients come to me for deeper understanding of themselves. Often, the…
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Internal Family Systems (IFS)Related: Family SystemsRelated: Family TherapyRelated: Family Conflict
I help people who are struggling and need someone to walk with them while they figure life out. Thirty years across schools, child welfare, residential care and disability advocacy, now in private practice in…
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Internal Family Systems (IFS) — key facts & evidence
Researched data on this topic, every figure links to its source.
IFS (Internal Family Systems), created by Richard C. Schwartz, is a psychotherapy model that views every person as a system of protective and wounded inner 'parts' guided by a core 'Self.'
Source: IFS InstituteIn 2015, IFS was posted on the U.S. federal NREPP registry (as of Nov 23, 2015), rated 'effective' for general functioning and well-being and 'promising' for anxiety, depression, and physical-health symptoms.
Source: Foundation for Self Leadership (citing the NREPP listing) (2015)IFS is described as 'a practice with emerging evidence': proponents note early outcomes still need confirmation by further studies, and the NREPP registry itself was later discontinued by SAMHSA in 2018.
Source: Foundation for Self Leadership (2015)A 2013 randomized trial (79 adults with rheumatoid arthritis) found IFS improved pain and physical function post-treatment, with self-compassion and depressive symptoms still improved one year later versus an education control.
Source: Shadick et al., The Journal of Rheumatology (2013)The IFS Institute states evidence comes mainly from small randomized and single-arm studies, with positive pilot results in depression and PTSD, while noting the current body of research remains limited in scope.
Source: IFS Institute (Research)Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this coverage in Oregon.
How many Oregon therapists specialize in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy?
As of April 2026, there are many therapists listed on Oregon Counselors who specialize in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, providing clients with an evidence-based approach to addressing internal conflicts and fostering self-compassion.
Do Oregon IFS therapists accept the Oregon Health Plan?
Yes, many IFS therapists listed on Oregon Counselors accept the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) as of April 2026. This can potentially reduce the cost of therapy for eligible clients, making IFS more accessible.
Is telehealth available for IFS therapy in Oregon?
As of April 2026, many IFS therapists listed on Oregon Counselors offer telehealth services, allowing clients to engage in IFS therapy from the comfort of their homes, regardless of their location within the state.
Do Oregon IFS therapists offer sliding scale fees?
Yes, many IFS therapists listed on Oregon Counselors offer sliding scale fees as of April 2026, which can help clients access therapy based on their income, making IFS therapy more financially accessible.
Is IFS the same as having multiple personalities?
No — IFS describes a normal feature of how minds work, not a clinical disorder. Everyone has parts: a part of you that wants to go to bed early, a part that wants to stay up watching another episode, a part that's anxious about tomorrow, a part that's excited. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) involves dissociated parts that can take over without the person's awareness, with significant amnesia between them — that's a specific trauma-driven condition. IFS for the average client is just a vocabulary for what's already there.
Why is IFS getting popular now?
Three reasons. First, the evidence base has built up over the last decade — IFS is now an evidence-based practice on the SAMHSA registry. Second, it integrates well with somatic and trauma-informed work, which is the direction the field has been moving. Third, it's experientially powerful and clients tend to feel meaningful shifts faster than with cognitive-only approaches. Many Oregon therapists got Level 1 trained in 2018–2024 and IFS is now one of the most-requested modalities here.
Do I need to find a Level 1 or Level 2 IFS-trained therapist?
Level 1 is the foundational official training (about 90 hours over 6–12 months). Level 2 is advanced specialty training (trauma, couples, eating disorders). Either can do effective IFS work. Many therapists have done substantial self-study and consultation without formal levels — you can ask directly: "What's your IFS training, and how regularly do you do consultation?" Both questions tell you what you need to know.
What is the difference between family systems therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS)?
They sound alike but work differently. Family systems therapy, such as the Bowen or structural approaches, treats the family as the unit and looks at roles, patterns, and relationships between its members. Internal Family Systems treats one person and works with the different 'parts' inside them, led by a core Self. Many Oregon therapists practice one or both, so it helps to ask which a therapist uses.
Oregon Counselors Directory features many therapists listed on Oregon Counselors specializing in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy across Oregon. These therapists use an evidence-based approach that views the mind as a community of sub-personalities, working to help clients understand and heal internal conflicts. With many providers offering telehealth, Oregonians in both urban and rural areas can access IFS therapy from the comfort of their homes. Many IFS therapists accept the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), which is Oregon's Medicaid program, and many offer sliding scale fees, making IFS therapy more accessible to a wider range of income levels.