IFS for Anxiety Denver: Listening to the Parts That Are Trying to Keep You Safe
Anxiety can feel overwhelming, like a constant hum of worry or a sudden rush of dread that takes over your mind any body. As a licensed therapist in Denver, I see anxiety through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS): As a part of you that’s working very, very hard to keep you safe.
Understanding Anxiety Through IFS
IFS is a therapy model that views our selves made up of “parts,” each with their own emotions, thoughts, roles, and intentions. And at your core in IFS, there is the Self: the calm, compassionate, wise core of who you are. Curious to learn more about IFS therapy? Check out my blog post here!
When it comes to anxiety, IFS helps us recognize that what we often call “anxiety” is actually a part of you that is trying to protect you. These parts have learned, often from difficult past experiences, that being alert, prepared, or even fearful seems like the best way to keep you from being hurt again.
You might notice a part that:
Constantly runs through worst-case scenarios
Feels panicked in social situations
Avoids uncertainty at all costs
Tries to control every detail to feel safe
These anxious parts are not trying to sabotage you, but rather they’re trying to protect you in the only way they know how.
A New Relationship with Anxiety
IFS invites us to slow down and get curious about these parts, rather than push them away. In practice together, we may ask questions like:
What does this anxious part want me to know?
What is it afraid would happen if it didn’t do its job?
How long has it been carrying this burden?
Often, when we listen gently, we discover that these parts are holding old pain or fear, from times when you truly didn’t feel safe, seen, or in control. And they’ve been on high alert ever since.
Through therapy, with time and attentive care, these parts can begin to relax and give you space to see that you no longer need them in ways you might’ve in the past. They learn that you’re Self is more present, and thus capable of tending to protective parts in a different way. Healing happens not by shaming your anxiety, but by creating an internal relationship that’s rooted in compassion and trust.
Getting Started with IFS-Informed Therapy in Denver
If you’re curious about a gentle, holistic way to decrease symptoms of anxiety, I am trained as an IFS-Informed therapist and enjoy utilizing this modality to support individuals in getting to know their protective parts to find lasting relief and healing. Ready to begin? Reach out here to schedule a consultation!
about the author
Gigi Woodall, LMFT
Eating Disorder & Trauma Therapist in Denver
Hi, I’m Gigi—a Denver-based trauma therapist passionate about helping people heal and reconnect with themselves. My work focuses on exploring how early experiences, relationships, and protective parts of the self shape our inner narratives. Through a compassionate and individualized approach, I help clients challenge limiting beliefs and step into a more authentic, intuitive way of living.
My background includes working with organizations like the National Eating Disorders Association, Project HEAL, and the One Love Foundation. I’ve also worked in eating disorder treatment centers and am actively involved with the Eating Disorder Foundation and IAEDP’s Denver chapter. Currently, I’m on the path to becoming a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS).
With specialized training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, and eating disorder treatment, I provide a safe, supportive space for those navigating recovery, trauma, and self-discovery.
Looking for support on your healing journey? Book a free consultation to see if we’re a good fit.