If you’re searching for IFS therapy for depression in Colorado, you’re likely looking for something different—a therapy approach that goes beyond symptom management to help you understand why you feel stuck, exhausted, and disconnected from yourself.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy offers a compassionate, evidence-based path for treating depression, especially for people pleasers, neurodivergent individuals, and those who’ve tried traditional talk therapy without lasting relief.
What Is IFS Therapy?
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is a transformative approach developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz that views the mind as naturally multiple—made up of different “parts” with their own feelings, beliefs, and protective roles.
When you’re struggling with depression, IFS helps you:
- Understand the protective parts that keep you numb, withdrawn, or self-critical
- Connect with the wounded parts carrying old pain and shame
- Access your core Self—the calm, compassionate center that can heal from within
Unlike traditional depression treatment that may focus solely on changing thoughts or behaviors, IFS therapy addresses the root causes of your depression by healing the parts of you that learned to protect you through isolation, self-blame, or emotional shutdown.
Why IFS Therapy Works for Depression
Depression often isn’t just about chemical imbalances or negative thinking patterns. For many people—especially people pleasers and those with ADHD—depression develops as a protective response to:
- Chronic self-abandonment: Putting everyone else’s needs first until you lose touch with your own
- Unprocessed trauma: Parts of you carrying shame, grief, or fear from past experiences
- Internal conflict: Parts that push you to perform vs. parts that want to rest and heal
- Neurodivergent masking: The exhaustion of hiding your authentic self to fit in
IFS therapy for depression helps you befriend these protective patterns instead of fighting them, creating lasting change from the inside out.
IFS Therapy for Depression in Colorado: What Makes It Different
Colorado offers a unique landscape for healing—both literally and therapeutically. At Propagate Hope Counseling in Aurora, I integrate IFS therapy with Colorado’s natural environment to create a comprehensive healing experience.
Nature-Based IFS Therapy
Research consistently shows that time in nature reduces depression symptoms, lowers cortisol levels, and improves overall well-being. My practice offers:
- Forest therapy sessions in Jefferson County Open Spaces
- Nature walks that combine IFS exploration with the healing power of Colorado’s landscapes
- Grounding techniques that use the natural world to help you reconnect with your Self
When you’re working with depression, sometimes the four walls of a therapy office can feel suffocating. Nature-based IFS therapy gives you space to breathe, move, and heal in an environment that naturally supports nervous system regulation.
Comprehensive Care for Lasting Change
Depression often requires more than a weekly 50-minute session. My comprehensive therapy program includes:
- Weekly individual IFS therapy tailored to your unique parts and patterns
- Group therapy (6–8 participants) for connection and shared healing
- Office hours for additional support between sessions
This intensive approach helps you build momentum in your healing journey, especially if you’ve felt stuck in traditional once-a-week therapy.
Who Benefits Most from IFS Therapy for Depression?
IFS therapy is particularly effective for:
People Pleasers
If you’ve spent your life making everyone else happy while your own needs go unmet, depression may be the part of you that finally said “enough.” IFS helps you:
- Set boundaries without guilt
- Reconnect with your authentic desires
- Heal the parts that learned your worth depends on others’ approval
Neurodivergent Individuals (Especially ADHD)
Depression and ADHD often go hand-in-hand. The constant effort to focus, organize, and “keep up” can leave you exhausted and hopeless. IFS therapy honors your neurodivergent brain while helping you:
- Understand the parts that push you vs. the parts that shut down
- Reduce shame around executive function struggles
- Find systems that work with your brain, not against it
Borderline Personality and IFS
If you feel everything deeply and absorb others’ emotions like a sponge, depression may be your system’s way of trying to numb overwhelming feelings. IFS helps you differentiate between your emotions and others’, creating healthy boundaries while honoring your sensitivity as a strength. IFS Therapy for Borderline Personality can really spark the difference to finding peace within your chaotic mind.
Therapists, Coaches, and Healers
If you’re a helper who needs healing, you’re not alone. Many therapists and coaches struggle with depression, burnout, and imposter syndrome while caring for others. IFS therapy helps you:
- Heal your own wounded parts while maintaining professional competence
- Address helper burnout and compassion fatigue
- Practice the self-compassion you offer your clients
Finding the Right IFS Therapist in Colorado
When searching for IFS therapy for depression in Colorado, look for:
- IFS training and certification: I’m IFS Level 1 Certified with ongoing training in this approach
- Trauma-informed care: Depression often has roots in past experiences that need gentle, informed treatment
- Specialized experience: Look for therapists who understand your specific struggles (people pleasing, ADHD, burnout)
- Flexible formats: In-person therapy in Aurora, nature-based sessions in Jefferson County, or virtual therapy throughout Colorado
Insurance and Investment in Your Healing
Propagate Hope Counseling is an IFS Therapy Practice in Aurora, Colorado, I accept:
- SANA Health Benefits (in-network)
- Lyra Health (in-network)
- Out-of-network benefits via Thrizer for easier reimbursement
I also offer a sliding scale for those who need financial flexibility—because healing shouldn’t be limited by your bank account.
Ready to Start Your Healing Journey?
If you’re tired of just managing depression symptoms and ready to heal the root causes, IFS therapy offers a compassionate path forward. You don’t have to stay stuck in the dark woods—there’s a way through, and you don’t have to walk it alone.
Propagate Hope Counseling serves clients throughout Colorado, with in-person sessions in Aurora and nature-based therapy in Jefferson County Open Spaces. Virtual therapy is available for clients anywhere in Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does IFS therapy for depression take? Every healing journey is unique. Some clients notice shifts within weeks, while deeper healing typically unfolds over months. My comprehensive program is designed for those who need more than weekly therapy to create lasting change.
Is IFS therapy covered by insurance in Colorado? Yes! It’s covered just like any other therapy. Use your health insurance to get sessions covered, even if your therapists is out of network.
Can IFS therapy help if I’ve tried other treatments for depression? Absolutely. Many of my clients come to IFS after traditional CBT or medication management didn’t provide lasting relief. IFS addresses the deeper roots of depression that other approaches may miss.
Do I have to do nature-based therapy, or can I stay in the office? Completely your choice! Some clients love the forest therapy option, while others prefer traditional office-based sessions. We’ll find what works best for you.
Tim Kelly, LCSW, is an IFS Level 1 Certified therapist and Forest Therapy Guide serving clients throughout Colorado. At Propagate Hope Counseling in Aurora, he specializes in helping people pleasers, neurodivergent individuals, and healers find freedom from depression through compassionate, nature-informed IFS therapy.
Contact: 862-200-9918 | tim@propagatehopecounseling.com | www.propagatehopecounseling.com