Internal Family Systems Therapy in California
Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) provided by an experienced, licensed clinician, trained by the IFS Institute.
Working with the Different Parts of Yourself
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy helps you better understand the different parts of yourself with greater compassion, curiosity, and clarity. These parts may show up as an inner critic, a people-pleaser, a perfectionist, or the part of you that feels overwhelmed, anxious, or shut down.
Rather than judging or trying to get rid of these parts, IFS helps you build a healthier relationship with them so you can feel more emotionally grounded, connected, and balanced.
At the core of IFS is the belief that every person has a calm, compassionate inner Self capable of healing and growth. Through therapy, clients learn how to better understand their inner experiences, heal emotional wounds, and create more connection within themselves and in their relationships.
IFS therapy can be especially helpful for concerns such as:
Anxiety
Depression
Stress and burnout
Relationship struggles
Life transitions
Feeling disconnected or overwhelmed
Harsh self-criticism
Difficulty setting boundaries
Emotional reactivity or shutdown patterns
How IFS Therapy Helps
IFS is a compassionate, non-pathologizing approach to therapy that views your thoughts, emotions, and coping patterns as understandable responses to life experiences — not personal flaws or signs that something is “wrong” with you.
Through IFS therapy, you can begin to better understand the different parts of yourself, such as an inner critic, perfectionist, protector, or overwhelmed part. Rather than fighting against these parts, IFS helps you approach them with greater curiosity, calm, and compassion.
Over time, IFS therapy can help you:
Feel more emotionally grounded and balanced
Build confidence and self-awareness
Navigate anxiety and stress more effectively
Improve communication and relationships
Develop healthier coping patterns
Heal unresolved emotional wounds
Feel more connected to yourself and others
Meet Dave
My approach to therapy is collaborative, thoughtful, and tailored to you.
I draw from Relational Gestalt Therapy, Mindfulness-Based CBT, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Emotion-Focused Therapy to help clients better understand themselves and create meaningful change. Rather than forcing you into a rigid framework, I focus on finding an approach that genuinely fits who you are and what you need.
I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, am licensed in California, and am also a certified mindfulness educator. I’ve worked with people from many different backgrounds and stages of life, and I believe therapy should feel collaborative, human, and genuinely supportive.
At the center of my work is presence. I want therapy to feel human, not rushed, scripted, or surface-level. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe enough to be honest, understood, and supported.
If you're looking for a therapist in California who offers thoughtful, collaborative online therapy, I’d be glad to connect.
Let’s Start the Conversation
Scheduling a consultation is a simple first step.
The consultation is a chance to connect, ask questions, and see whether this feels like a good fit.
Prefer to reach out directly?
Email: watzen.mind@gmail.com
Phone: (310) 993-7747