“Woke up, fell out of bed / Dragged a comb across my head / Found my way downstairs and drank a cup / And looking up I noticed I was late… / Found my coat and grabbed my hat / Made the bus in seconds flat / Found my way upstairs and had a smoke / And somebody spoke and I went into a dream…” – The Beatles
Thinking about the ways we show up — or don’t — in our lives is a lot like thinking about parts. There’s the part that wants to stay in bed. The part that pushes to get up and get going. And the part that says, This is too much…I need something to take the edge off, or I’m out. Through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS), these aren’t contradictions. They’re different aspects of us, each stepping forward at different moments.
Some parts feel warm and steady, offering encouragement and a sense of embodiment. Others are louder, critical and urgent, convinced we’re not enough or need to do more. And some stay just out of reach, carrying something tender we’re not quite ready to face.
IFS therapy offers a way to turn toward all of it.
Not to silence or override these parts, but to begin understanding them. How they show up, what they’re trying to do, and why they’ve stayed as long as they have.
This work invites a different kind of relationship with yourself. One rooted in curiosity rather than judgment, and compassion rather than control.
Over time, you may begin to notice more space inside. Space to pause. Space to respond instead of react. Space to meet even the most protective or reactive parts without being taken over by them.
This is the heart of Internal Family Systems therapy. Learning to understand the world within you so the world around you can start to feel more steady, more connected, and more clear.
With curiosity and kindness, healing becomes possible, both individually and collectively. And maybe, in its own way, it echoes something simple and familiar, like The Beatles said, All you need is love.
A Gentle Next Step
If you’re noticing different parts of yourself showing up, pulling in different directions, or feeling hard to make sense of, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure it all out at once.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is often integrated into individual therapy sessions, where you can explore these parts at a pace that feels supportive and grounded. For some, this work is also deepened through a more body-based approach, like somatic therapy or trauma-informed yoga, where parts can be felt and processed through the nervous system.
If you’re curious about these approaches or about working together, you’re welcome to reach out here. We can start with a simple conversation and see what feels like a good fit. No pressure, just space to explore.
The Mindful Goldfish is located at 777 E William St, Ste 108, Carson City, Nev. Phone: 775-400-2660. Our website is https://themindfulgoldfish.com.
