In this episode of Going Inside, I share my real-time reflections and therapeutic insights while reviewing an IFS demo session with a client named Ace. With careful attention to pace, consent, and safety, I break down the many micro-decisions made throughout the session — revealing the internal logic and nuance behind the IFS model. Whether you’re a therapist seeking to deepen your client work or someone curious about what an IFS session really feels like, this episode offers a rare and compassionate behind-the-scenes perspective.

In this soul-stirring conversation, IFS pioneer Bob Falconer returns to explore the intersection of Internal Family Systems (IFS), spirituality, and trauma healing. We discuss how trauma creates separation, the necessity of spiritual connection in deep healing, and how curiosity can be a transformative force. Bob shares insight from his upcoming books and over 50 years of clinical experience, emphasizing the porous nature of the mind and the healing power of respectful engagement with all parts of the self—both personal and transpersonal. This episode is a heartfelt invitation to open your inner world with compassion and wonder.

In this special and deeply personal episode, John Clarke pays tribute to the late Ralph De La Rosa — a gifted author, meditation teacher, musician, and trauma survivor whose voice and message left an indelible mark on the healing community. Through reflections, audio clips, and emotional commentary, John revisits their original interview and shares the impact Ralph had on his life and work. Together, they explore trauma, IFS, Buddhism, and the power of radical self-compassion.

In this powerful episode of Going Inside, trauma therapist John Clarke sits down with award-winning educator Tim Amaral to explore how trauma-informed practices can transform education. Tim shares his journey from martial arts instructor to adult educator, revealing the development of the Self-Led Classroom model and its deep integration of IFS (Internal Family Systems) principles. Together, they discuss how safety, connection, and a sense of belonging are essential for meaningful learning. If you've ever questioned traditional education or wondered how to reach students or clients who’ve been left behind, this episode will expand your perspective—and your heart.

In this conversation, John Clarke interviews Brad Mosell, founder and CEO of Dharma Doctor, about Brad’s journey into the mental health field, the development of accessible mental health interventions, and the evolution of their product, which integrates EMDR and bilateral stimulation. They discuss the importance of addressing trauma in educational settings, the role of teachers in mental health, and the future of therapy technology, including the integration of biometrics and AI in therapeutic practices.

In this conversation, John Clarke brings together a panel of colleagues and co-authors to dive into their new book, Opening the Inner World. Together, they explore where Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy meets the spiritual insights of Emanuel Swedenborg. The panel shares their own journeys, the transformative impact of IFS, and how Swedenborg’s teachings on the inner self and divine inflow can deepen our understanding of trauma and healing. They also discuss the nature of consciousness, the power of inner dialogue, and the role of spirit in our lives — highlighting how self-awareness and a connection to the divine can open the door to profound healing and growth.

In this episode of Going Inside, host John Clarke sits down with integrative therapy guide Elena Kundro to explore the powerful intersection of hypnosis and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Together, they unpack how trance states and somatic work can deepen self-awareness and accelerate healing, especially when traditional therapeutic approaches fall short. Elena shares insights from her own personal healing journey, lessons from guiding clients through inner work, and how blending spiritual practices with IFS has transformed the way she helps others reconnect to their true selves.

Whether you're a therapist, healer, or someone deep on your own inner path, this episode offers grounded wisdom, practical insight, and soul-deep inspiration.

In this enlightening episode of Going Inside, trauma therapist John Clark sits down with Reiki master and certified sound healing practitioner Boshko Boskovic. Boshko shares how his personal health journey led him to energy work, and how practices like Reiki and sound healing can profoundly support trauma recovery and energetic hygiene. The conversation dives into the science and spirituality behind these healing modalities, the importance of tuning into your own energy field, and practical ways therapists and sensitive individuals can care for their energy in a noisy, high-stress world.

In this solo episode, I reflect on my recent conversation with Mel Galbraith, the COO of IFSCA, and dive deeper into the challenges of practicing Internal Family Systems (IFS). I talk about the tricky balance therapists often face—how easy it is to show up with the best intentions, but accidentally lead from self-like parts instead of true self-energy. You’ll hear me share some personal insights on why slowing down is so essential in this work, why letting go of an agenda actually helps clients go deeper, and how even seasoned therapists can unknowingly blend with their own parts. I also unpack one of the biggest paradoxes in IFS: when we stop trying to make something happen, that's when real healing starts. This episode is perfect for therapists and coaches who are interested in their own inner healing, as well as the inner healing of their clients.

In this episode, I’m joined again by Mel Galbraith of IFSCA, a seasoned IFS therapist and teacher, to dive into what it means to be self-led in the therapy room. We talk about the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways our therapist parts show up during sessions, and how being human—and having parts—doesn’t make us bad therapists. In fact, when we tend to those parts with care, we actually expand our ability to hold space for clients.

In this episode, I take you inside an IFS session by revisiting a past demo and offering live commentary on my thought process, choice points, and reflections. You'll see firsthand how the Six F’s of IFS (Find, Focus, Flesh Out, Feel, Fear, Befriend) unfold in real time as I guide a client through working with a protective part that resists emotional closeness. I break down the importance of tracking parts, honoring protectors, and moving at the speed of trust to ensure safety and effectiveness in the IFS process. 

Group therapy offers a unique healing experience that individual work alone cannot replicate. In this episode, I sit down with therapist and group work specialist Carrie Haynes, LPC, to explore the profound impact of Internal Family Systems (IFS) in group settings. We discuss how group dynamics naturally foster self-energy, how witnessing others' healing creates internal shifts, and why self-leadership in a group setting is a transformative practice. Carrie shares insights from her journey integrating psychodynamic therapy, spirituality, embodiment work, and IFS into group facilitation—helping both therapists and clients unlock deeper healing.

Take a moment to pause, breathe, and connect with your inner world. This Internal Family Systems (IFS) Daily Parts Check-In meditation guides you through gently noticing your internal landscape, inviting all parts to the table, and fostering self-leadership.

In this special crossover episode of Going Inside and the Therapeutic Astrology Podcast, I’m interviewed by Mannah once again to explore the nature of anxiety through an Internal Family Systems (IFS) lens. We discuss how anxiety operates within the system, its connection to deeper fears, and how working with parts can help navigate uncertainty and fear. Together, we unpack the downward arrow technique, the role of protectors in managing anxiety, and the power of self-led healing in transforming our relationship with fear.

In this Going Inside episode, John Clarke leads an Internal Family Systems (IFS) demo with Sarah, exploring how self-doubt and fear of rejection shape our internal world. Learn how protective parts work, how to differentiate between parts and Self, and how the unburdening process fosters emotional freedom. Listen now for real-time IFS insights and practical applications.

In this episode of Going Inside, I sit down with Kalonya Jones, a complex trauma specialist, to explore the deep and often overlooked impact of childhood trauma. We discuss how trauma shapes identity, relationships, and mental health, even when people don’t initially recognize their experiences as traumatic. Kalonya shares her insights on how healing requires acknowledging past wounds, breaking generational cycles, and cultivating self-compassion.

In this episode of Going Inside, I continue my Internal Family Systems (IFS) demo with Sarah in the third session of a four-part series. We explore how internal and external expectations can block freedom, joy, and imagination. Sarah connects with a part of herself that has carried the burden of meeting others' needs since childhood, believing that anticipating and managing expectations would keep her safe. Together, we invite more trust, curiosity, and playfulness into her system, creating space for greater ease and self-acceptance.

In this episode of the Going Inside Podcast, I sit down with Mel Galbraith, a Level 3 IFS therapist and COO of IFSCA, to dive into the practical side of unblending and direct access in Internal Family Systems therapy. We explore what to do when clients struggle to "drop in" or when protectors resist stepping back, and Mel shares how to approach these situations with curiosity, patience, and flexibility. We also touch on the role of self-energy in creating safety, how to avoid bypassing protectors, and the balance between sticking to the model and meeting clients where they are.

In this episode of the Going Inside Podcast, I do a second live Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy demo with Sarah, revisiting her journey of addressing heavy emotional burdens and discovering the power of creativity and play. The session includes an unburdening process and Sarah learns how bringing creativity into daily life can foster emotional balance and resilience.

In this episode of the Going Inside Podcast, I conduct a live Internal Family Systems (IFS) demo with Sarah, a client who explores her discomfort with vulnerability and connection. Together, we uncover the roots of these feelings in a protective part that emerged during childhood, carrying grief and longing for attunement. We create a safe space for this part, paving the way for healing and rediscovering joy.