PARTS WORK & IFS-INFORMED THERAPY · DENVER, COLORADO
Part of you wants things to change.
Part of you isn’t so sure.
You want to speak up, but worry about disappointing someone. You need a break, but feel guilty slowing down. You understand both sides and still feel stuck between them.
Parts work offers a way to get curious about those reactions, understand what they’re trying to do for you, and make more room for what you need.
A free 20 minute phone call with Sandy to ask questions and explore fit.
Sandy Brown, MA, LPCC, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate
National Certified Counselor
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Trained Level 1: SP™ for the Treatment of Trauma
You don’t need to know your “parts” to begin. · We use language that makes sense to you. · Your questions and feedback matter.
Does this feel familiar?
It can be exhausting to feel pulled in different directions.
You may understand why you react the way you do and still find yourself repeating patterns you want to change.
You say yes to keep the peace, then feel frustrated with yourself.
You push yourself to do more, even when you’re worn out.
You want closeness but pull back when someone gets to know you.
You criticize yourself before someone else has the chance.
You feel torn between what you want and what you learned you should want.
Why I approach therapy this way
You deserve understanding, including from yourself.
You may have learned to stay useful, keep quiet, achieve more, or need less to protect yourself or stay connected. We can understand those responses with care while exploring what fits your life now.
What is parts work?
A way to understand more of yourself.
Parts work gives us a way to explore the different feelings, beliefs, and reactions that make up your experience. One part of you might push to get everything right. Another might want to avoid the whole situation.
Internal Family Systems, or IFS, is a model developed by Richard Schwartz. It approaches parts with curiosity and sees protective intentions behind reactions that can be difficult to live with.
In IFS, “Self” refers to a capacity for qualities such as curiosity, compassion, and perspective. In our work, that might mean finding enough space to notice a reaction and consider how you want to respond.
An everyday example
One part of you
“I really need to say no.”
Another part of you
“But what if they’re upset with me?”
We can listen to both reactions and explore what each needs before deciding what to do.
What might happen in a session?
We start with something from your life.
You don’t need to arrive with a map of your inner world. We can begin with a moment that felt difficult and see what comes up as we talk.
Notice what shows up.
You describe agreeing to something you didn’t want to do. We might notice the worry that came before saying yes and the self criticism that followed.
Get curious about it.
With your permission, we explore what those reactions are trying to prevent or protect. We check what fits your experience rather than assume we know.
Make room for your needs.
We consider what support you need and what you want to try. That might be asking for time before answering or practicing a boundary together.
This is one example. We choose the pace and approach together, and you can pause, ask questions, or try something different.
What could change in everyday life?
Less time arguing with yourself.
More room to listen.
Meet self criticism with curiosity.
Notice the familiar harsh voice and explore what is underneath it, without taking the criticism as the truth.
Know what you need.
Make space for your feelings and preferences alongside the urge to keep others comfortable.
Choose how you respond.
Practice setting a boundary, receiving support, or taking a small step toward something you want.
We’ll choose goals that matter to you and check in about what helps. Your goals might include:
Meet Sandy
There’s room for your whole experience here.
I’m Sandy. I offer a warm, collaborative space to understand yourself more fully, build self trust, and explore new ways of connecting.
I draw from parts work, somatic therapy, and attachment focused care. We can talk things through, notice how an experience feels in your body, and pay attention to what it’s like to receive support in the room.
You don’t have to be curious or compassionate toward every reaction right away. We can begin with how you actually feel.
The practical details
Therapy that fits your life.
In person in Denver
4155 E Jewell Ave, Suite 1007
Denver, CO 80222
Near I-25 and Colorado Blvd
Online throughout Colorado
When you’re physically located in Colorado.
$150 · 50 minutes
$225 · 75 minutes
Private pay. I do not bill insurance directly. Superbills are available for possible out of network reimbursement. HSA and FSA payments are accepted.
Questions are welcome
You don’t have to know the language to begin.
Here are some things you might wonder about parts work and IFS-informed therapy.
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Parts work is a broad term for approaches that explore different aspects of your experience. Internal Family Systems, or IFS, is a specific model developed by Richard Schwartz. It offers a way to understand protective patterns and relate to yourself with curiosity and compassion. I draw from IFS within an integrative approach to therapy.
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You might say, “Part of me wants to speak up, and part of me wants to avoid an argument.” In this work, parts language helps us explore feelings, beliefs, and reactions that can pull in different directions. We can use everyday language if that feels more natural to you.
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No. You do not need to picture anything, close your eyes, or have an inner conversation. We can begin with thoughts, feelings, body sensations, or a situation from your week. We will adapt the work to how you experience things.
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You can say so. Your questions and doubts are welcome. We can talk about what feels useful, use different language, or try another approach. You do not need to agree with every idea in the model to take part in therapy.
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You can share at your own pace. We can begin with present day patterns and build support before deciding together whether to explore the past. We will not assume that an image, feeling, or impression proves that a past event occurred.
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We might notice how a familiar reaction shows up in your body, such as a tight chest when you want to say no or tension when you worry about disappointing someone. Body awareness can offer another way to understand your experience. We include it with your permission.
Start in 3 easy steps
Schedule
Book a free consultation call to see if we’re a good fit.
Complete
Fill out a few simple intake forms.
Begin
Start your first session and take the next step toward the change you want.
You can begin with a conversation.
Your free 20-minute phone consultation is a chance to ask questions and explore whether working together feels right for you.
Bring your questions, your uncertainty, and what you hope might be different. We can start there.
Free 20-minute phone call · No obligation to begin therapy
Call or text (720) 772-8423
or book your free call online.
I’ll get back to you within 1 business day.
Sandy Brown, MA, LPCC, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate
National Certified Counselor
Specializing in childhood and religious trauma through somatic therapy, parts work, and attachment focused care.
