And Why It’s at the Heart of Holistic, Integrative Mental Health Care

I’ve spent most of my career sitting with people who are carrying way more than they show on the surface. And every time I introduce IFS to someone for the first time, I watch the same thing happen: a small exhale… a faint look of relief… almost like the psyche mutters, “Oh, finally—someone’s speaking my language.”

IFS is one of the most elegant, humane frameworks I’ve ever worked with. It doesn’t treat symptoms as enemies, it doesn’t pathologize who you are, and it doesn’t pretend healing comes from forcing yourself into some idealized version of “normal.”

IFS starts from a simple, radical truth:
We are not one thing. We are many. And that’s not a problem—it’s the beginning of our healing.

A Quick Breakdown of IFS (in human terms)

IFS says we all have “parts” within us—inner subpersonalities with their own emotions, beliefs, jobs, and histories. Some protect us. Some carry old wounds. Some shut us down. Some push us forward. Some throw us into the fast lane and then lose the keys.

The beauty is this:
Each part is trying to help, even when its strategy is… questionable.
(Think: the inner firefighter who suggests tequila when you’re stressed, or the perfectionist who thinks doom is a form of motivation.)

And beneath all of these parts is something deeper:
Self-energy.
The calm, steady, wise presence inside each of us that’s endlessly patient—even when life sure as hell isn’t.

IFS as Holistic Mental Health Care

At Aspen Counseling, IFS isn’t just one tool on the shelf. It’s one of the roots of our whole integrative approach to mental health.

Here’s why it fits so naturally into holistic care:

1. It doesn’t fight the mind. It listens to it.

So much of “traditional” mental health tries to shut down reactions, quiet symptoms, or force the mind into compliance.
In IFS, we get curious instead.
A panic attack isn’t a malfunction—it’s a message. A shutdown isn’t laziness—it’s a strategy. Trauma responses are intelligent, even if they’re outdated.

2. It plays beautifully with somatics.

IFS and the body are basically dance partners.
When a part speaks, it usually speaks through sensation. Tight chest. Clenched jaw. That knot under your ribs that shows up during stressful conversations.

By weaving somatic awareness into IFS, people start to heal not just cognitively but physically—rewiring patterns that have lived in the nervous system for years.

3. It integrates perfectly with psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Psychedelics turn up the volume on parts that have been exiled, silenced, or suppressed. They also open access to Self-energy at a scale most people aren’t used to feeling.
IFS gives structure to that experience.
It helps people understand what arose, why it arose, and how to integrate it back into everyday life without getting overwhelmed.

4. It honors culture, community, and connection.

Our healing is not just internal—it’s relational.
IFS pairs organically with indigenous perspectives, relational neuroscience, and trauma theory. It’s one of the few models that can talk to all of these worlds without getting lost in jargon or ego.

5. It’s evidence-based and deeply human.

IFS is clinically validated, but it’s also intuitive. People feel the truth of it before they ever learn the theory.

In a world that’s exhausted by quick fixes, IFS gives people something far more sustainable: a relationship with themselves that actually works.

How We Use IFS at Aspen Counseling

In our work—whether it’s trauma therapy, couples work, somatic integration, men’s groups, or psychedelic preparation—we return again and again to the core IFS principles:

• We meet every part with compassion.
• We help people build internal safety before pushing for change.
• We guide clients toward the Self-energy that is always there, even when it feels like it isn’t.
• We integrate mind, body, and spirit as one system—not three disconnected departments.

IFS isn’t the whole story, but it’s one of the strongest maps we have for understanding why we struggle, why we protect, and how we return home to ourselves.

Why This Matters Now

We live in a world where people are moving fast, burning out faster, and carrying more trauma than their nervous systems were designed to handle.
IFS gives us a way to slow down, turn inward, and meet the complexity of the mind with respect, not resistance.

Holistic, integrative care is not about patching symptoms—it’s about restoring connection.

IFS helps people reconnect with their inner world.
Somatic work reconnects them with their body.
Community reconnects them with others.
Psychedelic work reconnects them with meaning.

When all of these layers come together, healing stops feeling like a battle and starts feeling like a return.

Somatic Therapy for Anxiety: Connecting Body and Mind in Central Oregon

Feeling anxious or overwhelmed can leave you feeling disconnected from your body. Somatic therapy invites you to return to your body as an ally. At Aspen Counseling, we use gentle, body-based techniques to help clients notice and release the physical sensations of anxiety, trauma, and depression. Instead of talking about your experiences alone, we work with breath, movement, and mindful awareness to bring safety and ease back into your nervous system.

Somatic therapy works by helping you pay attention to the sensations in your body. When you feel tension, tightness, or numbness, those sensations are clues to deeper emotions and unfinished stress responses. With the support of a trained therapist, you learn to track those sensations with curiosity rather than judgment. Over time, this practice builds resilience so you can respond to stress with greater flexibility and calm.

In our sessions we draw on Internal Family Systems and a holistic wellness model. We might begin with a brief check-in and a grounding exercise—like noticing your feet on the floor or taking a few deep breaths. Then we gently explore the sensations associated with the emotions or thoughts you bring in. We incorporate nature-based imagery, mindfulness, and self-compassion to help you feel safe and present. We go slowly and respect the pace of your nervous system; there’s no right or wrong way to feel.

Our clients often report feeling more grounded, connected, and empowered after integrating somatic practices. They find they have tools to soothe anxiety in daily life, such as pausing to breathe into the belly or stretching when they notice tension. Somatic therapy can also deepen your relationships because it helps you attune to your own needs and communicate more clearly with loved ones.

If you’re curious about how somatic therapy might help your anxiety or depression, I invite you to reach out. Aspen Counseling serves individuals, couples, and families in Sisters and Redmond, Oregon. We offer a free initial consultation so you can meet us and ask questions. Together, we’ll explore how connecting to your body can support your healing journey.

Feel free to book a free session or contact us at (541) 872-3772. We’re honored to support you in finding greater ease, clarity, and connection.

Find Hope, Clarity, and Connection Through Trauma‑Informed Therapy

By Tim Moore, LPC – Aspen Counseling, Sisters, OR

When stress, anxiety, trauma, or disconnection go unaddressed, they can keep you feeling alone and overwhelmed. At Aspen Counseling, we believe that healing is possible one step at a time. Our practice combines nature‑rooted therapy, community, and integrative healing to help you reconnect to your inner resilience, heal old wounds, and feel more grounded in daily life.

**What Is Trauma‑Informed Therapy?**

Trauma‑informed therapy is an approach that recognizes the impact of past adversity and prioritizes safety, trust, empowerment, and collaboration. Rather than asking “what’s wrong?” it asks “what happened?” and creates space for your story to unfold at your pace. Trauma‑informed practices emphasize physical and emotional safety, offer clients choice and empowerment, and build a foundation of trust. These elements help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms and support long‑term recovery.

**Why Trauma‑Informed Care Matters**

Unresolved trauma can manifest as anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, or chronic stress. Individuals with trauma histories are more likely to experience mental health issues. By addressing the root causes and working gently with the nervous system, trauma‑informed therapy helps clients process painful memories, regulate emotions, and rebuild a sense of self. It’s not about reliving the past but about finding new ways to respond to it with compassion and resilience.

**Our Integrative Approach**

At Aspen Counseling, we offer trauma‑informed support for individuals, couples, and families. Our services include:

- **Individual Therapy** – one‑on‑one sessions that create a safe space to explore your inner world, gain insight, and develop tools to navigate life’s challenges.

- **Couples Counseling** – support for couples to strengthen communication, deepen connection, and resolve conflicts in ways that honor both partners.

- **Family Therapy** – guidance to help families build healthier patterns and greater understanding among all members.

- **Trauma & PTSD Support** – trauma‑informed approaches to safely process and integrate past wounds, supporting your nervous system and sense of self.

- **Anxiety & Depression Management** – evidence‑based tools and compassionate support to understand, manage, and reduce symptoms while working toward greater balance and well‑being.

Our therapists draw from **Internal Family Systems (IFS)** to help you identify and work with your different “parts” and cultivate more Self‑energy; **mindfulness‑based practices** to slow down and build present‑moment awareness; **somatic trauma processes such as Brainspotting** to release stuck energy and rewire the brain for greater calm and healing; and **regenerative health principles** that weave in nutrition, sleep, movement, and other holistic practices. This integrative approach supports mind, body, and spirit, helping you feel more whole.

**Who We Serve**

We specialize in trauma‑informed therapy for adults, adolescents, couples, and families. Whether you’re working through depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, parenting challenges, or the aftereffects of trauma, we’re here to help. Teens and young adults, in particular, appreciate our gentle, strengths‑based approach that fosters self‑awareness and resilience. Couples can explore old patterns and learn to communicate with empathy, while families can build healthier dynamics and deeper connection.

**Take the First Step**

Healing begins with a single step. When you reach out to Aspen Counseling, your message will be received with care and confidentiality, and we typically respond within one to two business days. We offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation to help you get to know us and determine whether we’re a good fit for your needs. You can schedule your first session, meet with a trusted therapist who listens and understands, and start feeling more clear, connected, and capable.

**Contact**

• **Tim Moore, LPC – Director & Therapist**

• **Location:** 704 W Hood Suite C, Sisters, OR 97756

• **Phone:** (541) 872‑3772

• **Email:** tim@aspencounseling.info