Online IFS Therapist, English-Speaking
I’m Aude Castagna, a French-American, US-trained IFS therapist and the author of 50 exercices d’IFS (Eyrolles). I offer online IFS therapy in English and French to English speakers in France, the UK and across Europe, as well as to French speakers abroad. Sessions are scheduled on Central European Time (CET).
Is one part of you wanting to move forward while another holds you back? Does a critical voice give you no respite? Do certain emotions overwhelm you without you understanding why? IFS therapy starts right there: with what you are experiencing today and the different parts of you that are triggered.
IFS therapy in brief
Developed by Dr. Richard C. Schwartz, Internal Family Systems (IFS™) views our inner world as being composed of different “parts” Some seek to protect us—sometimes using strategies that were useful in the past but now cause suffering. Others carry old wounds. At the core of everyone lies the “Self”—an inner state of calm, clarity, and compassion.
In therapy, we approach these parts with curiosity, compassion, and kindness—rather than fighting against them—to soothe inner conflicts and regain a greater sense of freedom.
To learn more: What is Internal Family Systems (IFS)?
What issues can an IFS therapist help with?
I work with older teens, adults, couples, and families. IFS therapy can be particularly helpful if you are experiencing:
anxiety, stress, or a period of low mood or depression;
the aftermath of trauma, including post-traumatic stress;
pervasive self-criticism, self-doubt, or shame;
emotional dependency, attachment issues, or recurring relationship patterns;
breakups, divorce, or tensions within a relationship or regarding parenting;
life or career transitions, or feelings of loneliness;
expatriation, or the feeling of living between two cultures;
creative blocks (I often work with people in artistic professions);
painful physical sensations regarding which you wish to change your relationship—as a complement to your medical care.
You do not need to be in crisis to start: IFS is also suitable if you simply wish to get to know yourself better. It does not replace medical or psychiatric care when such care is necessary.
What does IFS therapy look like?
As a certified IFS therapist, I can use this approach as the primary therapeutic framework or integrate it with other approaches I practice, depending on your needs and goals.
The first session
The first session is an opportunity to get to know each other and begin to sense the richness of your inner world: you tell me what brings you here, I explain how I work, and together we see if the approach is a good fit for you.
A session in practice
An IFS session is an inner exploration that I guide step by step.
We start with what is present for you today: a recent situation, a difficult emotion, or a behavior you are unable to change.
I help you identify the relevant “part”often through a physical sensation, an image, or a thought.
We look at how you feel toward that part. If another part judges it or fears it, that is the part we listen to first.
You get to know this part: what it fears, what it seeks to protect, and how long it has played this role.
When the protective parts allow it, we turn toward the more wounded parts to help them set down the “burdens” they carry—such as painful beliefs, emotions, or memories.
Depending on the moment, the work may also involve visualization or mindfulness exercises. You remain fully in charge of your therapy: together, we determine the pace, priorities, and direction of the work.
Video sessions
Video sessions take place via Zoom or FaceTime. All you need is a quiet, private space where you won’t be disturbed, a stable connection. I have written an article (in English) about remote IFS therapy, which you can read on the Publications page.
What IFS therapy can offer you
IFS can foster a better understanding of yourself and a more peaceful relationship with your inner world. Depending on the individual and the issues involved, the work can help you to:
better understand yourself and your inner dynamics;
soothe your emotions and gain inner stability;
reduce self-criticism, shame, and guilt;
develop self-compassion;
better meet your needs and make choices that are more aligned with who you are;
move beyond certain repetitive patterns;
experience more harmonious relationships.
The goal is not to eliminate certain parts of yourself, but to understand them better, recognize their protective intentions, and regain greater freedom in how you live and the choices you make.
Your IFS therapist: my background
I am French-American, bilingual, and bicultural. I lived in the United States for 25 years—where I trained in psychotherapy and IFS—before returning to France.
IFS Certification (Levels 1, 2, and 3), completed in both English and French (Level 1 in 2017).
Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, California State University East Bay.
Practiced as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California. In France, my professional title is psychopraticienne (psychopractitioner)
I facilitate online IFS workshops, including “Knowing How to Listen When the Body Speaks”(Savoir écouter quand le corps parle), offered in partnership with the IFS Association.
Author of 50 exercices d’IFS : réconciliez vos différentes parts pour devenir vous-même (Eyrolles) and In Search of the Hidden Self, The Ego’s Journey into Awareness.
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Video call (Zoom or FaceTime)
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Older teens, adults, couples, and families (in France and abroad)
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French, English
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See the booking calendar when you book your appointment.
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50–55 minutes
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€150 (≈170 USD)
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Venmo, PayPal, Revolut.
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I only offer self pay sessions and can provide superbills on demand. Clients can send it to their healthcare provider for reimbursement is they have Out of Network benefits.
Practical Information
Frequently Asked Questions about Online IFS Therapy
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Yes. IFS relies on focusing on your inner experience, which lends itself well to remote work.
Being at home—in a familiar setting—can help you turn inward, provided you have a quiet, undisturbed space.
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Yes. I conduct video sessions with clients living in France and abroad, in either French or English. We will find a time that works for your time zone.
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It depends on what brings you to therapy, your goals, and the pace of the sessions. Some people come for just a few sessions to address a specific issue, while others commit to a process lasting several months. We review progress together regularly. I recommend weekly sessions at the start of therapy, moving to every two weeks later.
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IFS is suitable for many people because it views no part as "bad" and never forces anything.
For some individuals—such as those who often feel cut off from their emotions or their bodies—getting started with the work requires more time and a cautious approach. The first session allows us to determine together whether this approach is right for you.
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In France, “psychologist” and “psychotherapist” are regulated professional titles. “IFS therapist”refers to a professional trained in the IFS model, regardless of their formal title. I was trained and practice as a licensed psychotherapist in the United States; in France, my professional title is psychopraticienne . (To verify an IFS therapist’s training, you can consult the directory of the IFS Association or the IFS Institute.)
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You can start noticing your parts on your own: pausing when a strong reaction arises and asking, “Which part of me is reacting right now? What is it trying to avoid?” Self-guided exercises can deepen this inner dialogue, but they do not replace therapy, especially when trauma is involved. My workbook 50 exercices d’IFS (Eyrolles, in French) offers a progressive set of such exercises.
“My life experiences have taught me a profound lesson: that being human is difficult, and as such, you will always deserve my full empathy and attention.”
Booking an appointment
You do not need to be familiar with IFS or subscribe to any specific theory to get started. Simply come with whatever you are experiencing right now, and we will proceed at your own pace.