IFS therapy treats the mind as made up of distinct parts, each with its own feelings, needs, and role. In my Toronto practice, I work with queer professionals who feel stuck between who they are and who they perform to be. IFS offers a way in.
IFS, or Internal Family Systems, is a therapeutic model that understands the mind as made up of multiple parts, each with its own perspective and role. Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS proposes that beneath all those parts lives a calm, curious core called the Self, and that healing happens when Self leads the system.
Most people describe IFS sessions as quieter than they expected. We are not doing a lot of rapid-fire talk. There is space to notice what comes up internally.
CBT works primarily at the level of thoughts, identifying patterns and replacing them with more accurate ones. IFS works at a different level, asking not just what you are thinking but which part of you is thinking it.
IFS therapy works well for people who feel stuck in patterns they cannot seem to break, who have tried other approaches and found something still missing.
IFS therapy does not have a fixed timeline. Some people find meaningful relief within a few months of weekly sessions.
IFS has a growing evidence base. A 2015 randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Rheumatology found IFS effective for reducing pain and depression.
No referral is needed. In Canada, you can contact a Registered Psychotherapist directly and begin working together.
Last reviewed: March 2026
Learn more about IFS Therapy in Toronto
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.
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.
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.