Forest Benedict, LMFT

Being a therapist for other therapists can feel intimidating at first, often activating parts of me that want to perform, please, and be perfect. But Internal Family Systems (IFS) has taught me a different approach. With IFS, those parts can relax, allowing me to connect with my therapist clients from an open-hearted place. Whether my clients are therapists or not, they’re all human, each needing a compassionate space to land—a place where they can feel free from judgment and truly be themselves, even amidst the unique pressures and challenges of our field.

Therapists need a therapist who understands the weight of their role but also sees them as more than just their job title. Over time, as I’ve worked with more therapists as clients, I’ve realized something simple yet profound: they’re regular people, just like me. And I truly love working with them.

Yes, they’re also incredible individuals—dedicated, compassionate, and deeply committed to their work. Many are eager to dive into deep, transformative work and do their own healing. This shift in perspective has been transformative for me as well, and now, instead of feeling intimidated, I feel genuinely honored. To be trusted by other therapists to guide them on their healing journeys is a privilege I don’t take lightly.

Interestingly, I never set out specifically to work with other therapists, yet more and more have found their way to me. It’s been such a rewarding experience that I wanted to officially put it out there: if you’re a therapist or other mental health professional—whether still in school, an intern, or a licensed professional—I would be honored to work with you.

Why IFS Might Be Right for You

Therapists, perhaps more than anyone, understand the importance of self-care and personal growth, and they often carry a unique set of challenges. Beyond the traumas or struggles from their past, therapists face the immense responsibility of holding space for others. Day in and day out, they bear witness to the inner worlds of countless clients, carrying their stories, struggles, and dreams. It’s a powerful role, but it can also be exhausting and emotionally taxing.

That’s why Internal Family Systems (IFS) can be the perfect fit. IFS is designed to be both compassionate and deeply effective, allowing therapists to connect with the parts of themselves that are holding stress, trauma, or self-doubt. IFS can be especially impactful if:

• You’re a therapist who values deep, transformative work.
• You’re curious about getting to know yourself on a more profound level.
• You want to understand and heal the parts of yourself that show up both inside and outside the therapy room.
• You believe in the importance of self-compassion and ongoing personal growth.

If this resonates with you, know that there’s a safe, supportive space here for you.

How IFS Can Support Therapists with Common Professional Challenges

Through IFS, we can take a journey inward to explore, connect with, and heal different parts of yourself. IFS is a compassionate approach that can help therapists get to know all the parts that show up in both their sessions and in life —whether it’s their “therapist” part, the parts concerned about clients, people-pleasing parts, caretaking parts, perfectionistic parts, parts focused on legal and ethical requirements, or just parts focused on the challenges they face in their personal lives. Here’s how IFS can be specifically beneficial for the unique stresses of therapy work:

1. Emotional Fatigue and Compassion Fatigue: IFS can help therapists recognize and care for parts that feel overextended or fatigued, creating space for self-compassion and renewal.
2. High Expectations for Positive Outcomes: IFS allows therapists to explore internal parts that carry self-doubt or perfectionism, helping them release responsibility for outcomes beyond their control.
3. Navigating Complex Ethical Dilemmas: IFS encourages therapists to connect with their core Self, fostering calmness and clarity in making ethical decisions from a grounded place.
4. Balancing Work with Self-Care: IFS can support therapists in identifying parts that push them toward overworking, helping them to create boundaries and prioritize self-care with less guilt.
5. Managing Countertransference: IFS provides tools to understand and heal personal triggers that arise with clients, allowing therapists to respond from Self more rather than reactive parts.

Growing and Evolving as a Therapist Through IFS

IFS has also been deeply impactful in my own growth as a therapist. In the first decade of my career, I felt it was my responsibility to be the expert who had all the answers. I thought my role was to guide clients on exactly how to live their lives, believing that if they just followed my advice, everything would improve. But over the years, I’ve learned that not only is it a huge relief to let go of that burden, but there’s also no comparison to the wisdom that people can find within themselves. No amount of external advice can match the insight that comes from connecting with their own inner guidance.

Helping people discover this is much more meaningful to me now than trying to be the one with all the answers. And, honestly, I don’t have all the answers. I find that the more I focus on “needing” to have those answers, the less joy I feel in my work and the more pressure I put on myself. Thankfully, that’s no longer my approach.

IFS has helped me align my work with my authentic self. This shift has allowed me to listen to what truly resonates with me and leave behind roles that no longer fit. And I love that IFS lets me be a guide rather than the expert. I get to help clients connect with their own inner wisdom, finding their own answers. For me, that’s the heart of this work.

A Bit About My Own IFS Journey

I want to share a bit about my own IFS journey to give you a sense of who I am as a person and as a certified IFS therapist. IFS has changed my life profoundly. I’ve spent years in my own IFS therapy as the client, doing my own healing work, and I continue to be in IFS therapy. Using IFS to compassionately understand and love myself has helped me find a sense of safety within my own body and heart. It’s been my way to heal from the personal trauma I carry, and it’s something I use daily, helping me feel more attuned to myself and grounded in the world.

This practice means so much to me because I understand firsthand the profound impact it can have. I use it as a daily tool to connect with myself, and that personal experience fuels my passion for guiding others on this path. My heart is in this work, and I hope that comes across to anyone considering taking this journey with me.

Flexible Options for Therapists’ Unique Schedules

I know the demands of being a therapist, and I strive to make IFS therapy as accessible as possible. I offer flexible scheduling options, all of which are online, to fit the busy, often unpredictable schedules that therapists have. Whether you’re balancing clients, coursework, family, or self-care, I’m here to work with your schedule to create a space that’s supportive and manageable.

I currently offer therapy anywhere in California and have applied for licensure in Washington, hoping that will be official by the end of the year. Other states I am interested in pursuing licensure in are Oregon and Utah. I am open to considering others as well.

Reach Out for a No-Pressure Conversation

To all my fellow mental health professionals, I want to say: You’re doing incredible work in the trenches, helping people heal and thrive. May the Self be with you, guiding you in both your personal journey and the profound work you do with others. And know that if you ever need a space for your own healing, I’m here, ready to walk alongside you.

If you feel a connection to this work, feel free to reach out. I’m here for a no-pressure conversation to see if we’re a good fit. Wishing you deep self-connection and compassion on your journey.

In compassionate support,
Forest Benedict, LMFT
Certified IFS Therapist

For more articles on self-connection, codependency, religious trauma, CPTSD, IFS, connection, healing, and beyond, I invite you to check out my blog and follow for future posts here.

*This blog created with the help of AI