Ecotherapy: Finding Self in Nature with Natalie Thomas

In today’s episode I chat with Dr. Natalie Thomas, a psychotherapist and philosopher specializing in climate distress and ecological grief. Natalie, a presenter at the 2024 IFS Annual Conference, explains how nature influences our internal parts and the role of Self Energy in healing, both individually and globally. We explore the connection between humans, animals, and the planet, and how slowing down to engage with nature can shift how we relate to ourselves and the world around us.  We discuss: How can we reconnect with nature and access our self-energy for healing? The concept of ecotherapy, which includes "walk-and-talk" therapy, inter-species healing, and other outdoor- and nature-focused approaches How nature can be a third entity (triad) in the therapeutic process  Simple practices for connecting with Self in nature, including forest bathing and engaging the senses Animals have parts too  What is “inter-species” healing? Parts-driven vs. Self-led activism, and how inner healing can lead to more effective, compassionate, and sustainable actions Climate Cafes: hosting a safe space for eco-emotional healing   One of my favorite quotes from the episode: "When we’re in nature, we can access our Self Energy and our parts in a different way—it’s like being part of a larger ecosystem, both inside and out." — Natalie Thomas   To learn more: Climate Cafes  Natalie’s upcoming session on ecotherapy and climate distress at the 2024 IFS Annual Conference. Natalie’s article in Parts & Self magazine Natalie's website   Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy: Tammy Sollenberger (@ifs.tammy) • Instagram photos and videos and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger. Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is a writer, counselor, and IFS Level 1 practitioner.   Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start.  Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website Do you want to befriend the parts of you who impede your meditation practice? Check out Loch Kelly's FREE workshop. Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program.   If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected]

On today’s episode I chat with Sacha Mardou, a graphic novelist and artist, known in the IFS community for her IFS-inspired webcomics. In her new graphic memoir, Past Tense, Sacha brings readers along on her deeply personal, years-long journey to heal trauma, uncover legacy burdens, and connect to her true Self. She began illustrating her IFS and therapy experience privately in her sketchbooks. Those evolved into webcomics vividly depicting her inner system and healing process which she shared with the world through social media, and now in her new graphic memoir.  We discuss: How her private therapy session sketches grew into webcomics and a book How IFS can shift our inner world and multi-generational family dynamics Breaking the chain of legacy burdens for her daughter  Sharing her family members’ private details and stories in her comics Using comics to visually represent the complexity of therapy and inner healing, making the IFS therapy process more tangible, relatable, and approachable for many people One of my favorite quotes from this episode: "How many of us carry shame or trauma that isn't even ours to begin with? Legacy burdens, passed down through generations, shape who we are until we take the courageous step to face them." – Sacha Mardou Sacha will join in a discussion hosted by Dick Schwartz and Jeanne Catanzaro at the 2024 IFS Annual Conference in a session called, Bringing IFS to Life, where they will discuss how Sacha's comics have helped demystify the IFS therapy process for clients. You can connect with Sacha on her website, on Facebook and Instagram @Mardou_Draws Learn more about her new book, Past Tense, here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714479/past-tense-by-sacha-mardou/ Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy: Tammy Sollenberger (@ifs.tammy) • Instagram photos and videos and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger. Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is a writer, counselor, and IFS Level 1 practitioner.   Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start.  Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website Do you want to befriend the parts of you who impede your meditation practice? Check out Loch Kelly's FREE workshop. Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program.   If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected]

Enjoy this lovely embodiment meditation led by IFS lead trainer Kay Gardner. And be sure to check out ep. 171: IFS and Legacy Burdens to listen to my full interview with Kay.  

  My guest today is Mary Kruger, an IFS lead trainer and therapist specializing in addiction and eating disorders. Mary helped develop the IFS Level 2 training for addiction recovery and treatment. This episode is a re-release from Season 2. Episode Summary: In this episode Mary shares her own story of finding IFS and her personal experience of the healing power of its integration with the 12-step model. We explore: How can we shift the way we approach addiction, eating disorders, and shame? Have traditional approaches to addiction recovery, such as AA or 12-step programs, left us demonizing our behaviors rather than understanding them?  What happens when we stop viewing addiction as a "moral failure" or "genetic defect" and instead see it as a system out of balance  What role does shame play in maintaining cycles of addiction, and how can IFS help us unburden that shame?  How can we learn to work with, not against, our addictive parts?  Can group work enhance healing by reducing shame and helping us feel connected to others with similar struggles?  One of my favorite quotes from the episode: "What if we stopped demonizing our addictive behaviors and instead asked, 'What are they trying to teach us?' When we befriend the parts of us that struggle, we unlock the door to true healing."  Mary will host a workshop on October 10 and 11, 2024 with Life Architect on working with polarized parts. Use this link to stay informed and let them know you heard about it on The One Inside: https://bit.ly/ifs-in-group-settings-workshop Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside Podcast - YouTube Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy: Tammy Sollenberger (@ifs.tammy) • Instagram photos and videos and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger: The One Inside: Internal Family Systems with Tammy Sollenberger | Facebook. Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is an IFS Level 1 practitioner.   Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start. You can purchase it here: The One Inside: 30 Days To Your Authentic Self: Sollenberger, Tammy: 9780967688756: Amazon.com: Books or wherever books are sold. Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website Do you want to befriend the parts of you who impede your meditation practice? Check out this FEEE workshop:  Loch Kelly's Free 90 minute workshop Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program.   If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected] This episode is sponsored by Life Architect. As the IFS Institute's international partner, they organize IFS training and online workshops about IFS and other therapy modalities for those new to IFS and experienced practitioners alike. Life Architect is committed to advancing the professional development of mental health professionals around the world.

On today's podcast, I chat with Tamala Floyd, a psychotherapist, author, IFS lead trainer, consultant, and retreat leader with over 25 years of experience. Her latest book, "Listening When Parts Speak: A Practical Guide to Healing with Internal Family Systems Therapy and Ancestor Wisdom," focuses on healing personal and generational trauma. We discuss: Ancestor wisdom in personal and generational healing Accessing the internal system with guided imagery meditation The importance of therapists and practitioners doing their own internal work Her love of travel and legacy burden work and combining the two   ----- Mentioned in this episode: IFS Institute 2024 IFS Annual Conference   Loch Kelly's Free 90 minute workshop   -------- To find out ALL the amazing things Tamala is doing: tamalafloyd.com   Listening When Parts Speak (Amazon) Conversation with the Author LWPS BIPOC Consultation Group LWPS BIPOC Retreat: Healing Legacy Burdens with Ancestor Wisdom Healing the Wounded Child & Wounded Mother Empower You App  ----- Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside Podcast - YouTube Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy: Tammy Sollenberger (@ifs.tammy) • Instagram photos and videos and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger ------ Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is an IFS Level 1 Practitioner. ------ Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start.  Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website ------ Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program.   ------ If you are interested in sponsoring episodes of The One Inside please contact Tammy at [email protected]

On today's episode I chat with Certified IFS Therapist Joanne Twombly. This episode, which premiered in Season 3, is one of the most popular and most downloaded of the entire series.  We discuss: Why we still need coping skills The "Fire Drill" exercise to quickly unblend from parts Integrating IFS into Phase Oriented Treatment  Why diagnosis is helpful - Burdens (and Self!) in Managers, Firefighters, and Exiles  Safe spaces - Hypnosis and trance states TW: We discuss trauma in this episode. There is discussion about 49 minutes into the episode that may be upsetting to some. ------ Get Joanna's book here: Trauma and Dissociation Informed Internal Family Systems: How to Successfully Treat C-PTSD, and Dissociative Disorders: https://a.co/d/icIF2ja Joanne wrote a chapter entitled "Integrating Phase Oriented Treatment of Clients with Dissociative Disorders" in the IFS: New Dimensions book, found here: https://a.co/d/aMQWiMJ Learn more about Joanne here: https://joannetwombly.net/ ----- Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside Podcast - YouTube Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy: Tammy Sollenberger (@ifs.tammy) • Instagram photos and videos and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger: The One Inside: Internal Family Systems with Tammy Sollenberger | Facebook. ------ Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is an IFS Level 1 Practitioner. ------ Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start. You can purchase it here: The One Inside: 30 Days To Your Authentic Self: Sollenberger, Tammy: 9780967688756: Amazon.com: Books or wherever books are sold. Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website ------ Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program. You can follow Jack at bonzemusic on Instagram. ------ If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected]   This episode is sponsored by Pisgah Coaching Institute founded by IFS-trained Master Coach, Brian Jaudon. Enrollment is now open for 2025 season! To learn more go to:  Pisgah Coaching  

This episode is sponsored by Pisgah Coaching Institute founded by IFS-trained Master Coach, Brian Jaudon. Enrollment is now open for 2025 season! To learn more go to: Landing Page | Pisgah Coaching This episode is a re-release from November 2020. On today's episode I speak with lead trainer with the IFS Institute, Susan McConnell. Her book, Somatic Internal Family Systems Therapy: Awareness, Breath, Resonance, Movement and Touch in Practice is one of my all-time favorites.  In this episode we cover: Reconnecting Mind and Body: what disconnects us? Importance of Embodying for Self energy Witnessing through the body Body systems and what they may teach us The elements' connection to the body Susan also offered a somatic IFS embodying meditation to begin the episode, which you can find on The One Inside Youtube channel: Somatic IFS embodiment meditation with Susan McConnell (youtube.com) You can visit Susan's website here : Home | embodiedself Enjoy! ------ Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside Podcast - YouTube Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy: Tammy Sollenberger (@ifs.tammy) • Instagram photos and videos and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger: The One Inside: Internal Family Systems with Tammy Sollenberger | Facebook. ------ Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is an IFS Level 1 Practitioner. ------ Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start. You can purchase it here: The One Inside: 30 Days To Your Authentic Self: Sollenberger, Tammy: 9780967688756: Amazon.com: Books or wherever books are sold. Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website ------ Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program. You can follow Jack at bonzemusic on Instagram. ------ If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected]

This episode is sponsored by Pisgah Coaching Institute founded by IFS-trained Master Coach, Brian Jaudon. Enrollment is now open for 2025 season! To learn more go to: Landing Page | Pisgah Coaching This episode is a re-release from Season 2  ------ On today's episode I chat with Chris Burris, a lead trainer with the IFS Institute. Grab your notebook and pen and plan to hit the pause button because this epi is jammed packed. Here is a little taste of what is inside: - therapist burn out - working with inner critics - the critic, shame, and firefighter cycle - attachment wounds, object constancy, and attempts to complete unfinished business from our past - befriending our parts helps them feel seen, heard and valued - parts are fluid, not static It is so good. Enjoy! To check out what Chris is up to go to Meet Chris | Burris Counseling | IFS Consultation ------ Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside Podcast - YouTube Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy: Tammy Sollenberger (@ifs.tammy) • Instagram photos and videos and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger: The One Inside: Internal Family Systems with Tammy Sollenberger | Facebook. ------ Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is an IFS Level 1 Practitioner. ------ Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start. You can purchase it here: The One Inside: 30 Days To Your Authentic Self: Sollenberger, Tammy: 9780967688756: Amazon.com: Books or wherever books are sold. Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website ------ Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program. You can follow Jack at bonzemusic on Instagram. ------ If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected]

On today's podcast I chat with Steffi Bednarek, climate psychologist and author of the new book "Climate, Psychology, and Change." In this episode we discuss: Climate change as an unintended consequence of Western mindsets and culture Individual and collective denial, distraction, and trauma responses to climate change through an IFS lens The importance of acknowledging collective silence around climate change and our role in maintaining or addressing it Bringing more awareness to exiled parts of ourselves and considering what therapists and practiioners leave at the "office door" The challenges of action-oriented responses to climate anxiety and the need for holistic, systemic solutions are examined Steffi invites listeners to get involved by having uncomfortable climate conversations and experimenting with new approaches With over 25 years of work experience in systemic change and trauma therapy, Steffi supports individuals, organisations and teams to address the urgent need for regenerative change in ways that go beyond the mere correction of what is visible on the surface. More about Steffi:  https://www.climatepsychologyandchange.com/ Steffi Bednarek - Climate Psychologist and Keynote Speaker ------ Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside Podcast - YouTube Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy: Tammy Sollenberger (@ifs.tammy) • Instagram photos and videos and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger: The One Inside: Internal Family Systems with Tammy Sollenberger | Facebook. ------ Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is an IFS Level 1 Practitioner. ------ Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start. You can purchase it here: The One Inside: 30 Days To Your Authentic Self: Sollenberger, Tammy: 9780967688756: Amazon.com: Books or wherever books are sold. Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website ------ Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program. You can follow Jack at bonzemusic on Instagram. ------ If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected]

On today's epsiode I chat with Ann Sinko about identifying and working with polarizations. We discuss: Polarizations occur when systems fall out of balance, leading to power struggles and a cycle of yes/no energy The importance of recognizing and working with polarizations in IFS and how they can lead to chronic stuckness Inherited polarizations as legacy burdens Polarization as a sign of movement and change   Ann will host a workshop on June 27, 2024 with Life Architect on working with polarized parts. Use this link to register so they know you heard about it on The One Inside: Free webinar: How to work with Polarized Parts with Ann Sinko (lifearchitect.com) ----- Ann L. Sinko, LMFT is a senior IFS trainer, teacher and ceremonialist. She lives in the lovely Connecticut River Vally and is in Private practice in Portland, CT.  Ann is passionate about experiential teaching and easily creates an inviting safe learning environment.  She loves being in nature, gardening, travel and her animals. ------ Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside Podcast - YouTube Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy: Tammy Sollenberger (@ifs.tammy) • Instagram photos and videos and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger: The One Inside: Internal Family Systems with Tammy Sollenberger | Facebook. ------ Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is an IFS Level 1 practitioner.  ------ Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start. You can purchase it here: The One Inside: 30 Days To Your Authentic Self: Sollenberger, Tammy: 9780967688756: Amazon.com: Books or wherever books are sold. Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website ------ Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program. You can follow Jack at bonzemusic on Instagram. ------ If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected] ------- This episode is sponsored by Life Architect. As the IFS Institute's international partner, they organize IFS training and online workshops about IFS and other therapy modalities for those new to IFS and experienced practitioners alike. Life Architect is committed to advancing the professional development of mental health professionals around the world.