What is IFS therapy and how does it work?

IFS (Internal Family Systems) treats the mind as naturally made up of distinct parts, different aspects of yourself that show up in different situations. Some parts develop as protectors, managing emotions and behaviors to keep you safe. Others carry older pain that got pushed aside over time. Rather than treating these as problems to eliminate, IFS gets curious about them: what each part is doing, why it developed, and what it needs now. The goal is helping your internal system work together more harmoniously, with your core Self in the lead.

Who do you work with?

I work primarily with queer professionals navigating corporate or high-pressure work environments. Most of my clients are doing well on paper: competent, often recognized at work, but feeling stuck, disconnected, or like they're performing a version of themselves that doesn't quite fit. Some are dealing with workplace stress, imposter syndrome, or relational patterns that keep repeating. What brings most people to my practice isn't crisis. It's the quiet sense that something important is missing.

What are sessions like?

Sessions are 50 minutes, held virtually via a secure video platform. I'm engaged and direct. I'll name what I'm noticing, ask questions that go a bit further than surface-level reflection, and stay genuinely present with what's happening. My style is warm but not passive. Most clients describe feeling understood in a specific way: not just listened to, but like the particular combination of things they're navigating is actually being seen.

What does a free consultation include?

A free consultation is 20 minutes, enough to get a genuine sense of each other without any pressure. We'll cover what's bringing you to therapy right now, what you're hoping to get from it, how I work, and any questions you have for me. This is your chance to interview me as much as it is mine to understand your situation. After the call, you take whatever time you need to decide. There's no commitment and no follow-up pressure.

Do you offer in-person or virtual sessions?

Both. I see clients in person at my Toronto office at 421 Bloor Street East, Suite 406, near Sherbourne subway. I also offer virtual sessions via a secure, encrypted video platform for clients anywhere in Canada. Many of my clients appreciate the flexibility to choose between in-person and virtual depending on what works for their schedule. Both formats are equally effective for the kind of work we do.

Protector Parts in IFS: Managers and Firefighters Explained

By Chris Peressotti, RP | 2026-01-15 | 6 min read

In IFS therapy, protector parts fall into two categories: managers and firefighters. Both are trying to help.

What are manager parts in IFS?

Managers are proactive protectors: the perfectionist, the people-pleaser, the inner critic.

What are firefighter parts?

Firefighters show up reactively, after pain breaks through: numbing, distraction, impulsive behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can protector parts change?

Yes. When protector parts feel heard and understood, they often relax and find new roles.

Chris Peressotti is a Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO #14496) and IFS Level 1 trained therapist at Memory Door Psychotherapy in Toronto.

Memory Door Psychotherapy

Feel Like Yourself Again

You've spent years proving your worth — at work, in relationships, maybe even to yourself. What if the version of you that feels most real is already there, just waiting to be found?

IFS therapy for queer professionals in Toronto and across Canada.

About Chris Peressotti, RP

Chris Peressotti is a queer male Registered Psychotherapist who spent years in the corporate world before finding his calling as a therapist. He knows firsthand what it's like to navigate professional spaces while holding parts of yourself back. Through Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, he helps you explore the different parts of yourself with compassion and curiosity.

Services

Individual Therapy — One-on-one sessions where we explore what's keeping you stuck and help you access your natural ability to heal and grow.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy — Explore the different parts of yourself with curiosity and compassion, helping you unburden what you've carried.
Therapy for Queer Professionals — Specialized support for LGBTQ+ individuals navigating corporate life, identity, and authenticity.
Corporate Burnout Recovery — Therapy for high-achieving professionals dealing with burnout, imposter syndrome, and work-life imbalance.
Couples Therapy — IFS-based couples therapy using the IFIO framework, including support for queer, polyamorous, and CNM partnerships.

Credentials

Registered Psychotherapist (RP) — College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology — Yorkville University
IFS Level 1 Trained — IFS Institute

Contact

Email: hello@memorydoortherapy.com
Phone: (437) 529-4286
Location: 421 Bloor Street East, Suite 406 (near Sherbourne subway), Toronto, ON

Book a Free Consultation — Chris will be in touch within 2 business days.

Site Pages

About Chris — Learn more about Chris Peressotti and his approach to therapy
Blog — Articles on IFS therapy, queer mental health, and personal growth
Frequently Asked Questions — Common questions about therapy, IFS, and booking
Resources — Curated mental health resources for queer professionals
All Services — Therapy services offered at Memory Door
IFS Therapy — Internal Family Systems therapy in Toronto
Therapy for Queer Professionals — LGBTQ+ affirming therapy
Individual Therapy — One-on-one psychotherapy sessions
Corporate Burnout Recovery — Therapy for professional burnout
Couples Therapy — IFS-based couples and relationship therapy