IFS Therapy in California: Find a Therapist Who Treats It

Part 1: What Internal Family Systems Therapy Is and Why It Works

Have you ever said something like:

“Part of me wants to leave… but another part of me is scared.”

That sentence — and the inner conflict it captures — is exactly what Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is built around. IFS helps you get to know the different emotional “parts” of yourself, so you can stop the internal fighting and start healing.

At CEREVITY, we offer online IFS-informed therapy across California for people who want to understand themselves better — not just manage symptoms. If you’ve felt like traditional talk therapy isn’t going deep enough, IFS might be what you’ve been looking for.

📞 Call (562) 295-6650 or visit https://cerevity.com/get-started

We’ll match you with a therapist trained in IFS therapy so you can finally feel more grounded, connected, and whole.

What Is Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy?

IFS therapy is a powerful, evidence-based model developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz in the 1980s. At its core, it’s built on one key idea:

We are made up of many parts — and every part has a reason for being there.

These “parts” aren’t literal personalities like in dissociative identity disorder — they’re more like sub-personalities or emotional roles you’ve developed to survive.

Three Main Types of Parts in IFS

Managers:
These are your control-oriented parts. They try to keep life predictable and safe — often by overthinking, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or avoidance.
Exiles:
These parts carry emotional pain from the past — usually tied to trauma, neglect, shame, or grief. Managers work hard to keep them buried.
Firefighters:
These reactive parts jump in when pain breaks through. They may use numbing behaviors like binge-eating, substance use, compulsive sex, or lashing out to put out the “emotional fire.”

Sound familiar?

IFS gives you a way to explore these parts without shame and without judgment. And more importantly — it introduces you to the part of you that can actually lead healing.

The “Self” in IFS

IFS is unique because it believes everyone has a core Self — the calm, compassionate, confident center that’s not a part, but your true essence.

When your Self is leading, you feel:

Clear
Curious
Courageous
Calm
Connected
Compassionate
Confident
Creative

(Yes, those are the 8 C’s of Self-leadership — and they’re the foundation of healing.)

In IFS therapy, your clinician helps you access this Self — so it can connect with your parts and build an internal relationship that fosters trust and transformation.

What IFS Therapy Looks Like

IFS is experiential, which means it’s more than just talking about your feelings. A typical IFS session might include:

Noticing a part (e.g., “I feel a tightness in my chest”)
Getting curious about it (e.g., “What does that part want me to know?”)
Exploring its history (e.g., “How long has it felt this way?”)
Building a relationship with the part (e.g., “What is it afraid would happen if it didn’t do this job?”)
Helping the part trust the Self — so it doesn’t have to take over anymore

Your therapist may guide you through visualizations or use gentle language like:

“Can you ask that part if it would be willing to step back, just a little?”

This internal conversation builds insight, compassion, and ultimately, integration.

Who Can Benefit From IFS Therapy?

IFS therapy is incredibly versatile. It’s used for:

Anxiety and panic
Depression and self-criticism
Childhood trauma or neglect
PTSD and complex trauma
Grief and loss
Relationship struggles
Disordered eating
Perfectionism and burnout
Identity confusion
Anger issues or emotional reactivity
People-pleasing and boundary challenges

IFS is also a popular framework for people in recovery, adult children of emotionally immature parents, and high-functioning professionals who want to go deeper than surface-level coping tools.

Why IFS Is So Popular Right Now

IFS is showing up everywhere — in therapy TikToks, podcasts, coaching sessions, and even pop psychology books. Here’s why:

It’s compassionate, not pathologizing
Your symptoms are seen as protective, not “bad.”
It makes sense quickly
People intuitively understand the idea of “parts.” It feels human, not clinical.
It gets to the root
IFS doesn’t just manage symptoms. It helps heal the wound underneath.
It works well with other approaches
IFS pairs beautifully with somatic work, EMDR, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies.

What IFS Therapy Is Not

It’s not hypnosis or regression therapy
It’s not about ignoring trauma — it’s about approaching it safely, with Self leadership
It’s not a spiritual practice (though it may feel spiritual for some)
It’s not something that only “deep” or “traumatized” people need

IFS is a structured, clinical model backed by research and practiced by licensed therapists around the world — including at CEREVITY.

IFS and Trauma

IFS is especially effective for trauma survivors — including those with:

Childhood emotional neglect
Attachment wounds
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
Sexual abuse or boundary violations
Shame-based identities

By giving voice to the parts that had to shut down, protect, or numb out, IFS allows trauma survivors to reclaim their story and reconnect with the Self that never got lost — just buried.

Online IFS Therapy in California

At CEREVITY, our licensed therapists offer online IFS-informed therapy for adults across the state. Whether you’re in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, or a smaller city, we bring deep, respectful care to your screen.

Ready to Meet the Parts of You That Need Healing?

📞 Call (562) 295-6650 or visit https://cerevity.com/get-started
We’ll help you find a therapist who practices IFS therapy — and can guide you toward more compassion, clarity, and calm from within.

Let me know when you’re ready for Part 2, where we’ll explore:

What to expect in your first IFS sessions
How IFS fits into long-term therapy
How Aetna insurance covers IFS therapy
What progress actually looks like over time

IFS Therapy in California: Find a Therapist Who Treats It

Part 2: What to Expect in IFS Therapy and How to Use Aetna to Cover It

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy offers a deeper kind of healing — one that honors your pain without rushing to fix it. In Part 1, we covered what IFS therapy is and why so many people in California are turning to it.

Now, let’s dive into how treatment actually works, what progress looks like, and how to find a therapist who offers IFS therapy and accepts Aetna insurance.

📞 Call (562) 295-6650 or visit https://cerevity.com/get-started

CEREVITY offers online IFS therapy throughout California — with Aetna-covered options available.

What to Expect in Your First IFS Therapy Sessions

Your first few sessions will likely focus on:

Getting to know your therapist
Explaining what you want to work on
Identifying parts that are active (protective, overwhelmed, stuck)
Learning how to slow down and observe your internal system
Exploring your relationship with these parts, without forcing change

Your therapist won’t rush you. In fact, one of the key principles of IFS is consent — your parts have to be ready. No pushing. No prying. Just curiosity.

Many clients say:

“This is the first time I’ve felt like my inner chaos makes sense.”

How IFS Therapy Progresses Over Time

IFS therapy doesn’t move in a straight line. And it’s not always about symptom reduction first — it’s about building trust within your system.

Over time, you may notice:

Less internal conflict (“I’m not fighting myself all day anymore”)
A greater sense of calm and self-leadership
More compassion for the parts of you that used to feel shameful
Fewer reactivity cycles in relationships
Deeper healing of childhood trauma and attachment wounds

Progress often looks like this:

Awareness → 2. Compassion → 3. Unburdening → 4. Integration

You stop trying to get rid of parts of you — and start understanding why they’ve been there all along.

How Long Does IFS Therapy Take?

IFS isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Treatment length depends on:

Your goals
The number and intensity of protective parts
Your history of trauma or attachment injuries
How often you’re able to meet

Some clients experience major shifts in just a few months. Others work through their system more slowly, especially if they’ve never had a safe space to open up before.

IFS therapy isn’t a forever process — but it does invite depth. And when done right, it often leads to lasting change.

Is IFS Covered by Aetna Insurance?

Yes — many Aetna insurance plans do cover IFS therapy, as long as it’s:

Delivered by a licensed provider (like an LCSW or LMFT)
Medically necessary (e.g., treating anxiety, trauma, depression, etc.)
Documented appropriately for billing (which we handle at CEREVITY)

IFS doesn’t have a unique CPT code, but it’s billed under standard therapy sessions (e.g., 90834 for 45 minutes or 90837 for 60 minutes). As long as the care meets clinical criteria, it’s usually covered.

Understanding Your Aetna Benefits for IFS Therapy

Before starting therapy, it’s helpful to check:

🧾 Copay or coinsurance: What you’ll pay per session
📅 Session limits (if any): Some plans allow unlimited visits; others may cap it
💳 Deductible: What you must pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in
🩺 Out-of-network vs. in-network coverage: Staying in-network saves you money

At CEREVITY, we verify Aetna benefits for every client before you book — so you know exactly what therapy will cost, with no surprise bills.

How to Find an IFS Therapist in California (That Takes Aetna)

Most therapist directories don’t let you filter for “IFS therapy,” so you may need to do a little digging. Here’s what to look for:

✅ Check for these signs in their bio or website:

“Trained in IFS” or “IFS-informed therapist”
“Parts work” or “inner parts healing”
Mentions of Dr. Richard Schwartz or the IFS Institute
Specialties in trauma, childhood wounds, or internal conflict
Acceptance of Aetna or PPO insurance

Or… skip the search.

Work with an IFS Therapist at CEREVITY

At CEREVITY, we do the matching for you. Our licensed therapists are:

Trained in IFS and trauma-informed care
Available for online sessions across California
In-network with Aetna (plus other major PPOs)
Bilingual (English + Spanish, depending on the provider)
Compassionate, curious, and deeply human in their approach

You don’t have to explain every part of your pain to be heard. We know what it’s like to feel split inside — and we’re here to help you reconnect.

FAQs About IFS Therapy + Aetna

Q: Can I use HSA/FSA funds for IFS therapy if I have Aetna?
A: Yes. If your plan includes a copay or coinsurance, you can use HSA or FSA dollars to pay for it.

Q: What diagnoses are eligible for IFS coverage through Aetna?
A: Common ones include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (F41.1), Major Depressive Disorder (F33.x), PTSD (F43.10), and Adjustment Disorders — as long as symptoms impair functioning.

Q: Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor?
A: Usually not. Most Aetna PPO plans allow direct access to behavioral health care.

What Makes IFS Therapy Different

In a world of quick fixes and symptom tracking, IFS offers something rare:
Relationship. With yourself.

Not the version of you that performs, masks, or self-sabotages. But the you that’s been there underneath it all — wise, calm, and ready to lead.

Ready to Start IFS Therapy in California?

📞 Call (562) 295-6650 or visit https://cerevity.com/get-started
We’ll help you find a therapist trained in IFS who takes Aetna — and who gets the work you’re trying to do.